AOL Going to Skins?

Published on July 30, 2002 By KarlSATX In WinCustomize News

In the latest build, AOL has added what can only be desribed as Internal Skins for their Software. There are currently 4 flavors to choose from and I must say, They are very interesting indeed. The newest build features not only "Themes", but also drop shadows for the menu's and one of the themes currently avaiable also has an animated background. AOL has certainly taken an unexpected approach to remain #1 in America. Never have I seen AOL make such a turnaround, in such little time. The following is a list of features seen in the new AOL 8.0.......Desktop Themes, Prefered Mail, AOL Downloads Directory (Now in C: Root Directory), Music Sharing, Host Based IM Sounds, Mapquest added to Address Book, Host Based Favorites (No Longer Locally Stored), Use Enter Key to send Instant Messages, Your Buddy Is Typing (Typing Indicator on Remote Side), Categories in Address Books,
Improved Printing in Address Books, Block Member from IM, Block Member from Notify AOL Button,
Automatic URL in Write Mail Form, Instant Message Wallpaper, Images in Mail Signature, Mail Stationary, Integrated AOL DSL/Cable Componants, Auto Reconnect, Locate/Open File After Download, Host Based Buddy Icons, Hosed Based Smileys, Multiple CD Support, New Mail Refresh, Spell Check on IM Form. See the screenshot for more information.

Comments (Page 1)

joetheblow

on Jul 30, 2002

hmmmmm.... when AOL bought winamp I thought they would mess it up, but it would seem that Winamp has influenced them. (I am not sure but I beieve Nullsoft's Winamp ws bought by AOL TimeWarner)

AOL 8.0 sound really good (even with out the skins). It would seem that they are talkin a hint that allot of architects know (or should know) that when your designing for multitudes of people, you cant make it be unflexable. You have to make room for people to make their own mark.

Now all they have to do is have a databse so people can share thier skins and it's on!!

joetheblow

on Jul 30, 2002

And on another note

RANT

Why is it that these music companies do not see what a gold mine it is to have a database with music on it??? They are not really trying. Put music on that poeple want to hear and for 20 dollars a month I would sign on and I have no money!!!! As far as peer to peer, if you get them to use mp3 tags and the network on the system checks the tags to see if it is allowed (like for example it is being played on the radio so it is ok, give some slack so you can spead the word about the artist)

I wish I was an exectutive of these companies, I would be rolling in it!! AOLTimeWarner has a music division and they cn't seem to benifite from thier own stuff!!!

End RANT

I think AOL might have a new ustomer if they go through their plans. I have been looking for a new service. Lets see what happens.

joetheblow

on Jul 30, 2002

oh and by the way the link doesn't work. but the screenshot does, so if anybody wants to see what AOL is doing click on the image above.

This is a good story, glad you reported it.

michael havard

on Jul 30, 2002

I might be mistaken but doesn't AOL 8 incorporate Gecko and aren't themeing and customisable interfaces part of Gecko's feature set. Depending on where and when Gecko parts are used then you have access to change how those parts look.

"I think AOL might have a new ustomer if they go through their plans."

Great lets get a trend started of people over paying for crappy service to a lying stealing and hypocritical company who's under investigation for cooking their books. A company that can't seem to figure out how to make an honest buck with their IP and who's combined the other least liked corporate giant type who likewise can't seem to be honest. Who cares about quality products and integrity if we can have "pretty".

Sorry just my two cents.

KarlSATX

on Jul 30, 2002

AOL has already taken WinAmp and integrated it into the software. That was done in version 5.0. When they bought Nullsoft, I am not sure they knew what they were going to do with it, but it looks like they are starting to use it to their advantage. There are more and more features being added. I'm on a $14.95 Bring Your Own Access plan and I can say AOL has certainly done a lot in the past year. We just finished up Beta 7 a few months ago and within a month or two they have posted Beta 8 in the Beta Central area.

KarlSATX

on Jul 30, 2002

Also, right now AOL 8 is still using Internet Explorer for its internal browser. AOL Gecko is still in beta as AOL 7. Once the beta test is done on that, I am sure they will try to incorporate Gecko into AOL 8.0. But you also have to take into consideration, this is still in beta. Not everything is finalized. We aren't sure yet what is going to happen with the builds, they could decide to remove the themes all together from future builds. They could decide to release two versions, one with IE and one with Gecko. I see two versions as the more logical choice, give your members an option as to what engine they would rather be running...

Nomad529

on Jul 30, 2002

~Personally, I could never stand AOL

. I don't like how it integrates itself into the nooks and crannies of one's computer. For the everyday person, it's a great service and easy to use. For those who've been around for awhile though, it's uses are limited and too proprietary. Anyway, the new look is great(if themes are going to be incorporated) and the new features are coming very late in the game. The browser/engine choice isn't going to make any difference at all since it will still be the AOL browser which still has limited capabilities.
~Anyway, I wouldn't give them a big hurrah since a lot of the changes they've made are one's that should've been done a long time ago.

spitflame64

on Jul 30, 2002

were can i find the skins for aol

Ben Dover

on Jul 30, 2002

Yes, AOL is for the newbie, one who doesn't know better. Anyone with half a brain who has used a computer for a while and the internet knows that AOL is not just a waste of money since there are tons of cheaper, better ISP's out there, but it is also close to impossible to get rid of once you are sucked into it. A word of advice, very simple: DON'T USE AOL!!! IT'S NOT WORTH IT!!! Of course they're trying to make it look better and more appealing, people are getting wiser and not bothering with the worst ISP in existance, come on people, why hog your resources on running all the useless AOL software when any other ISP without this cheesy, useless software can give you much better service and capabilities? Just the thought of AOL makes me sick!!!

AdIdAs30

on Jul 30, 2002

I use att roadrunner but i still pay $9 a month for aol. I got hooked. lol. i always have it running, but i use IE more then aol. oh well. Quick Question. Whats the diff between gecko and ie and which is better?

Entilza

on Jul 30, 2002

AOL ? I alway's thought that was the internets sickest joke !

Tarkus

on Jul 30, 2002

No, the sickest joke is Web-TV.

scratch_pentagon

on Jul 31, 2002

there is no simple "which is better" for gecko vs. IE. gecko is more standards compliant, but sites are more often developed for ie because gecko is newer and there are less people using it. 90+% of sites out there will render acceptably on both. gecko is faster on some sites, ie is faster on others. in my experience, gecko is less freeze/crashprone than IE is, but I know people who say ie never crashes on them. so it's mostly a matter of preference. AOL is likely to switch to gecko since they have been paying many developers to work on it, and microsoft is a competitor to AOL/TW.

KarmaGirl

on Jul 31, 2002

I think that a lot of people don't realize that some people live where there are not many choices for ISPs. I live way out in the country (hour drive to work). I have tried over a dozen ISPs and ended up with AOL because it was the only one that had more than one access number that was local to me (ie: I can actually connect with it). If AOL would get their act together with their browser, they wouldn't be a bad deal at all. And, they are not just for the "newbie". I have had no problems with AOL. I have never had a time that I couldn't connect at a fairly good speed (well, as good as dial-up gets). I dial up, minimize it, then open IE, IRC or whatever I need the connection for. It's simply an ISP to me. Works like any other. I am using AOL 7, and it appears not to use much in the way of resources. I really think that AOL has gotten a bad rap. For me, where I live, they are the only way that I can reliably dial up.

Entilza

on Jul 31, 2002

Aol has gotten a bad rap because it is bad, It takes over your system far beyond what it should!

It has even been known to uninstall software (A friend of mine installed a trial of aol and it uninstalled some of his programs and others just would not work anymore).

They hated it so much they reformatted their laptop, He said it was so limiting and such a pain.

Why i guess your going to say did they use it ?.. had no choice .. No other access where he went on holiday.

Though i understand KarmaGirl has no other option at this time i hope a better one comes up for you.

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