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I work for AOL in the Cable Tech and i understand yes there is some AOL techs that do things that they shouldnt do but in defense to alot of our techs is that we get alot of people calling in that have more problems then they tell us about which makes things worse for all of us. Far as firewalls go when you install a new version of AOL you have to reconfigure the firewall to allow AOL through... Plus most people dont keep their computers updated, or they get a virus and think that even though they got rid of it they dont realize that the files that they got rid of system files even tho they were infected they were still system files and now their AOL wont work like they want it to of course all they tell us techs is "MY AOL Dont Work!!!" and that is all that we hear most of the time they dont care to let us know about all of infected system files that were on thier system. and when they do they dont believe us when we tell them those are important files to have "it is AOL's Fault" No Ma'am it is not AOL's Fault just because you gain access to the internet through AOL that does not mean that aol is at fault for you doing file sharing and downloading viruses from other people. Look i am done with this here. people just need Learn that when asking for Tech support from AOL that they are getting free tech support they are not paying anything extra for it If you were to contact your manufacture they would charge you for tech support or better yet call Microsoft see if you can get free tech support from them... So guess what Stop your B!tching and deal with what you got and stop blaming people for your lack of ability to understand simple thinigs like Clicking on the freaking start button
Nice Rant!
Personally I do not use AOL, but I am Sr. Technical Support/Network Admin for a computer MFG. So I have had my share of "its your motherboard!" , how do I install the OS??
LOL
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Thankyou for that nice piece of prose (diatribe?), but that what us computers guru's are paid for to wave the magic wand!
My gripe with AOL here in the UK is firstly if you uninstall the software it leaves traces all over the hard drive, therefore if you are unfortunate and get a virus, yes that is possible even with all the right precautions it is easy to discard an AOL file.
Secondly they do what amount to Postal Spam by proliferating everyones letter boxes every time a new release is launched.
Thirdly the AOL browser can and does cause problems, many people are happy? OK it is what they know! IE 4/5/6.
Lastly internet connection sharing jeez it can be a pain in the butt, use a real ISP and they even supply the dial-up DNS numbers for people who just want a basic connection for their non-windows PC, yes not everybody has been permanantly converted to Windoze.
Happy days are non-confrontational days....
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well just to add to this don't feel bad it not just AOL techs the get beat on its all techs. People think you have a magic read button to turn there internet connection on or get there computer working. People just don't realize they are calling tech support that specialises in internet service not everything that goes wrong with my computer service. But i guess my point is if you were not told this info before you became a tech some one left you out in the cold most techs know what they are in for with the people of world before they get into there little chair and answer that phone. Ok im done. ;-)
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I went to AOL's online help once to ask why one of the numbers in the phone number setup had an asterisk by it. They told to go to some folder and delete some files and were going to have me reinstall something--I can't remember the exact details as it was quite a while ago and didn't make sense even then.
I told them that had nothing to do with my question and repeated it. They finally came back and told me the asterisk was there because that number was v92 capable.
I think the first level of tech support in any business are people with no special skills who are only there to pick up the phone, answer your email or online question with some standard response. I think they're instructed, either implicitly or explicitly, that whatever problem the customer is having is not their (the business's) fault. You've got to break through that first wall of denial and try to get to someone who is compentent and knows what they're talking about.
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Nice rant. Sorry to hear of your bad day on the job.
I'm sure there are some capable technicians at AOL. Remember the customer is also why you have a job. :)
"people just need Learn that when asking for Tech support from AOL that they are getting free tech support they are not paying anything extra for it"
They started paying for it from the time the signed up.
"Far as firewalls go when you install a new version of AOL you have to reconfigure the firewall to allow AOL through"
As with all programs not just AOL. Emphisis that in the software during the install.
it is AOL's Fault" No Ma'am it is not AOL's Fault just because you gain access to the internet through AOL that does not mean that aol is at fault for you doing file sharing and downloading viruses from other people"
Maybe AOL with all their money could go after some of the companies that distribute software such as Xupiter whom gain access without the users permission and install their crapware reaking havoc to the user.
Sorry to rain on your rant but AOL signed a contract with the users and without stipulation to not file share or any of the other things you spoke of.
I also don't like the way AOL conducts their business. I had an account many years ago with them. It was set up as an automatic withdraw on my debit card. When I decided to cancel I did the online thing and received confirmation that the account was cancelled. Next month another payment was taken out of the account. I called them and the reassured me everthing was taken care of. Next month yet another withdraw. I went to my bank and asked to put a stop on any further payments. They told me it would cost $25.00 for the stop payment and then AOL would send it back through for 1 cent less and it would then go though. They then stated I had no options other than contacting AOL yet again. They were wrong, I cancelled my bank account.
Maybe AOL needs to figure out who is the customer and pays their bills, even when we have cancelled our accounts and not worry about our "lack of ability to understand simple thinigs like Clicking on the freaking start button"
clickity click,
Mesich
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Mesich is right about one thing.
I cancelled AOL and they billed me for 2 more months. I got a year free with my new computer. After I cancelled and got a bill, I called them and they tried to tell me I had 2 accounts. They are still sending me the bill.
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Years ago my daughter had a little ole W31 machine. AOL were the only ones at that time who could get her on the net. It was neat and simple package, almost a dream. That's about the only good thing I can say about AOL.
So "YeahRight", just why do they fill your machine up with files and registry entries that won't come out when you do a proper uninstall?
Your remarks about those folks who don't know their way around computers do not just apply in some special way to AOL. All customer services folk have to contend with that at times - that's what they are there for.
Derek
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Mesich = ;>). Well stated.
Here's a paste in of the letter I sent to AOL (cndtech@aol.net) May 10th, 2003 regarding my cancelling. You be the judge;
Dear Sir or Madam,
Ok, here's the complete story. Again. I was living with my best friend, two divorced bachelors, sharing the house which I built for him and his (at the time) wife. He signed on to AOL for the trial period in December 1998. Payment was by American Express credit card. He decided to go with another provider (Magma.ca) after a short while. I asked him if I could "take over" the AOL account and just give him the cash every month. (I no longer retain any credit cards since my divorce.) He told me "sure". So I've been paying him since January 1999 for the AOL account.
On the morning of February 24th, I went to wake him and found him dead in bed. He had died in his sleep of a brain aneurysm. 49 years old. Three years younger than I. After the initial shock wore off, I made efforts to change the billing to avoid interrupted service. I had noticed online that payment could (now) be made by direct bank account withdrawal. (I had no cause to look into billing previously as our payment system was working just fine, and he received Air Miles for the use of the credit card.) I tried it online, and could not get the appropriate "box" to open to enter the information. I called the 800 number and talked with AOL support. I explained the circumstances and was referred to four different departments, each one advising me that the the next department would be able to process the issue. I spent twenty five minutes on the phone, mostly listening to background junk while on hold waiting for the next department. I had actual conversation for approximately six minutes out of the twenty five. No one was able to resolve the issue. They could not find either the parent account or the sub-account (my name) in their database. I decided ~out_of_frustration~ to just let it drop, that eventually AOL would find that payment was no longer being made and they would cancel the main account. I called a local ISP and was on line with a new account in twelve minutes of placing the call. To me, that's service. I'm also saving six dollars per month for the service, with ten times the webspace allocated to me for file/data storage over what AOL provides. Hmmmmm, do the math.
I've held on to the loaded AOL software so I could manually transfer my email contacts/address's to my new mail account. (Due to the circumstances, the house is now up for sale, I'm packing to move, etc., so I've been busy. I've just got around to transferring the contacts other than essential ones, last week.) Well, I decided to log on last week just to check on things, and low and behold, the account is still alive and well. I tried again today, (twenty minutes ago) and it's still there, working as if nothing has transpired.
So, this is a "last ditch attempt" to make things right. You're providing me with a free service, which I neither want nor need, and I want both of our names to remain "clear" in the business world. His name was Roberto Poloni. My name is Dan Penny. Rob has died, and so has his American Express account. The "main" account name was; RP981230 (his initials, the year, month, and date of account initialization). My sub-account name is Pennydan50.
Well, it looks as though Time Warner has finally caught up to the issue. I just tried logging on again to send this and the billing window came up. (Which by the way still only offers three credit card options, and NOT the direct bank account withdrawal.) Congratulations! I'll send this anyway so you're updated as to what's been happening.
Regards, Dan Penny
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A long time a go when AOL 3.0 was the latest i had a problem so i called AOL tech support they told me i have bad Modem when i just Installed new 33.6K Modem.
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Hello again everyone,
Go to grab a couple of Corona's, get back and this thread is full of replies. :)
Dan Penny,
Again, my sincere condolence to the loss of your loved ones.
The verdict is guilty. It is really amazing what one has to go through in order to cancel a service. I hate to think what a person not familiar with computers would have to go through for support.
Tommymoore,
Nice response, had I thought of that it would have saved a whole lot of typing. :)
Last but not least Cheers To All
Best Regards,
Mesich
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Personally I love AOL. A few years ago I signed on with them for 2 simple reasons.
1) 1,000 hrs. for free LOL and
2) I had no credit card and they allowed that direct debit thing.
Well before the end of my free hours I dicovered (Free i) and (Net Zero) and a few other banner driven services. I quickly canceled my subscription to AOL as why pay when I can get it for free. Oh Boy what a joke those things were. My income grew a little and I discovered I could get on through my cable company and have been rather content since.
Since I canceled my AOL contract they have been so sweet , every month they send me yet another of those neat little frisbees and a nice case to hold one of the cd's I burn while doing all this bad file sharring.Thank AOL
likely
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I have never had AOL, so have no real battle
stories to tell.However, I keep promoting WalMart to people
that LOVE AOL. I do not know what the
connection is exactly, except this:
wmconnect is AOL in disguise. I am told it
is equal to an older version of AOL and no
free web space. If you can't find the CD at
your local WalMart, log onto their web site
and call the 800 number. They will mail it.
It even uses the same contact number as AOL.
I have absolutely no connection to WalMart.So, what is the big deal?
ONLY $9.94 per month
• 700 hours FREE for a month
• Unlimited Internet access and email
• Fast dial-up connections
• Easy, 3-step instructions
• Family-friendly controls
• Instant messaging2 of my friends have switched and are happy
and like the savings.
sekirt
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Dang... I Guess I'm Not The Only One...:)
Bout 4 Years Ago I Got One Of Those Lovly Considerate Disks In The Mail...Oh Boy 500 Free Hours This Was A Dream Come True...NOTTTTTTTTT...!!!
Back Then 500 Hours Went Pretty Quick For A Newly Born Internet Junkie As Myself... So By The Time I Got My First Bill My Freebies Was Way Over Then I Got A Shock Of A Life Time...A $650.00 Phone Bill With No Phone Calls On It (Internet Hooked) Seems The UMMMM Local???? Number I Had Been Dialing Out To Was Local (BEFORE) it Was Transfered 4 Towns Over!!! Yup I Had Just Been Had!!! Long Distance The Whole Time I Was On-Line + $5.00 Connection Fee Every Time I Had To Connect Which Was About Every 3 Hours Give Or Take A Min...That Day I Called A.o.l. And Cancelled,Unpacked My Bank Account And Waited For Some Sign Of Justice...6 Months Later They Were Still Trying To Bill Me??? wtf? Many,Many,Many (We Are Going To Ruin Your Credit If You Don't Pay) Letters In The Mail They Finally Went Away...But To This Day I Get On The Average 1 Free Cd In The Mail Monthly (Makes Good Crayon Holders For The Kids) & Never Know When You'll Need Extra Fishing Tackle Space Lol...Moral Of My Story..."Just Say No To A.o.l." I'M On Road Runner Now And I'd Not Trade It For The World...(Just Think?) Porn & A Movie All In One Place...What More Could You Ask For?
~Peace-Out~ & "Welcome To Hell"
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