I am not one who feels the need to vent often, but I feel I must address this subject. I have a thread running about a computer problem I am having. As expected, someone felt the need to post an “AOL sucks” post. While I feel that everyone is entitled to their opinions, why take the opportunity to do it in a thread that has nothing to do with your personal feelings? That thread (and many others like it) are made with an attempt to get some help. If you hate whatever is being discussed, please start your own (insert name here) SUCKS! thread. Posting that AOL or Microsoft or whatever sucks has become the board equivalent of “Stern Rules!” calls to radio and TV talk shows.
FTR, I have been using AOL and Microsoft products for many years and have been pleased enough with them that I will continue to use them. And, no, I don’t own any stock or make any money from them.
I have nothing against the posters of such posts, but I feel that such posts belong here in the Pit and not in GQ.
While I have been accused of some of the most egregious violations of flaming over Microsoft, I have tried to curtail it and keep focused on the topic. But the topic is such an overwhelmingly important one, it is the crux of the economic and political issues of our technological era. You just scratch underneath the surface of any tech issue, and the MS monopoly issue is right underneath. The AOLTimeWarner monopoly issue is not much different. Never before in the history of computing have such large masses of people been so completely outraged at the commercial practices of the major software companies. So realize that people get awfully riled up over this issue. And it will surely get worse before it gets better, we are just now about to get into the thick of it.
You may think that the DoJ rolled over and played dead, but the battle rages on. I am proud of my state’s Attorney General for leading the dissident states refusal to accept the flawed settlement between DoJ and MS. MS is now trying to entice the dissident states to settle by offering to pay their legal costs for the whole case. Sorry MS, you lost and you’ll end up paying everyone’s legal costs anyway, once we get a real final sentence. And make no mistake, the final sentencing phase of the trial will occur in front of a judge, not in the backrooms of Microsoft and the DoJ. It will be argued by vehement prosecutors, and the judge can impose any and all ideas offered by the attorney generals, or anyone else (even public comments! post yours via the web today!) The judge can even make up her own sentence. And Ashcroft, El Presidente Jorge Bush, BillG and SteveB can do nothing to stop it. BillG once boasted that he was more powerful than the President. Maybe he is more powerful than a weakling like Jorge Bush, but he’s not as powerful as the US Judiciary system. Oh yes the day of reckoning will come.
I would agree that if someone posts a specific question asking for help, then saying “product X sucks” is not terribly helpful.
I also have to point out, since this is the pit, that it is very difficult to support AOL and (to a slightly lesser degree) Microsoft with a straight face. AOL’s entire business practice is based on hemming in and controlling users in such a manner that they become isolated from what is happening in the rest of the on-line world. The users end up locked and indoctrinated inside AOL, actually paying to limit their on-line experience and their options should they ever poke their head outside AOL.
Microsoft is little better than that, but at least they do offer some worthwhile end-user products, although it is best to stay away from their Web server products and such. They definitely have not engaged in fair competitive practices, and sooner or later they will fail to twist their slippery company out of Justice’s reach…
Mr. Blue Sky, I read the linked thread and except for one AOL basher, most of the posts seemed helpful or at least tried to be. I sympathize with you when someone is having trouble with their computer that they’ve not experienced before this kind of thing is far from helpful. Also, I recognize that you only linked to one thread and this has happened before to you and others.
I have bashed AOL before myself as I was with them before. I have no problem with their service, but having to use their browser (which I think now is a necessity) is bad. Back when I had AOL it was 4.0 and I usually used MS 4.0 or Netscape 4.something and had little problem. I don’t quite agree with Abe’s post as I never experienced the ‘locked in’ feeling. I got away from them after the initial 300 hours or whatever… that’s another story!
Microsoft, I have to agree with you they produce some really good programs. I admit sometimes it’s bloatware, but for the most part their support is adequate, much moreso than Quicken or Scansoft.
Chas.E BTW, I don’t believe you’re going to convert any people on the fence with your arguments.
“Microsoft isn’t evil, they just make a crappy OS.”
-Linus Torvalds
I agree with him to some degree, but Microsoft has done some very stupid things. Like integrating scripting into their e-mail program in such a way that harmful and self-spreading viruses can be spread by simple attachements, and then making running those attachments automatically the default! And making MS Windows so basically flawed from a security point of view that it is impossible to make it fully secure, especially if you want to be able to run reasonably new software. And, of course, we have XP, with its Big Brother hardware managment (guaranteed broken within the next year by a determined high schooler) and, I’m sure, really bonehead bugs and security breaches.
Q: What is Microsoft security?
A: Locking the broken windows and making sure the deadbolt is set on the open front door.
I can only hope that as people become more technologically aware, they will migrate away from bloatware in droves, preferrably towards Linux or BSD Unix. (I’m not partisan. Demons and penguins can co-exist. :))
This has probably been said before and probably will again, but the reason that AOL and Microsoft are ubiquitous is that most people don’t give a darn what software/hardware they’re using as long as it works. Apparently, enough are working to keep these companies in business.
Unlike Linus Torvalds, I do not agree that Microsoft makes a crappy OS, just possibly crappier than Linux, but infinitely more popular :D.
Don’t worry, AOL’er. At least you have the WebTV folks to look down on. Oh, wait a minute-- Microsoft bought WebTV out. Hee hee.
Maybe if the talking heads at CNN can manage the phrase “The AOL keyword is” a few million more times without laughing, people will start to think of AOL as… …less sucky. Or something.
Mudd
[sup](A self-hating Windows user. Until the microsecond that Adobe releases Premiere and Photoshop ports.)[/sup]
I have tried the so-called “free” ISP’s. Most are horrifically slow, offer one access number (being in Savannah does’t help), or make you suck their ad-laden appendage AND deal with an e-mailbox full of “offers” they feel you would be interested in. As I said before, DSL and cable modems are too expensive for me, so I’ll be dialing-up for some time to come. Besides, at this time, I rarely download anything so speed is not important. When video-on-demand (at least for old TV shows and movies) comes along, I’ll probably change my mind.
As for converting anyone, I’m not trying. I’m the type of guy who, when he finds something he likes, he stays with it. I just wanna see people vent their hatred and/or frustration in the proper place:
GREAT DEBATES:
“Does AOL Suck?”
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION:
“Who Else Thinks AOL Sucks Poll”
MPSIMS:
“I’ve noticed AOL sucks”
BBQ PIT:
“AOL Sucks - Fuck AOL”
…like that.
When I see a post in the GQ and I don’t have anything useful to add, I don’t. Offering my opinion about the subject won’t help anyone.
I have used AOL for 5 yrs. I have no problem with them at all. Of course all I do is log on, start Netscape and go on. I do use the mail, but I rarely go into AOL itself.
I have used both Microsoft and Apple products. I have no problem with either company, they both have their strengths and weaknesses. I use Windows now because I’m a gamer and games come out too slowly (or not at all) for Apple (although this is improving).
I used AOL for a couple of years. AOL is a good service, especially for people new to the web. I found certain things about it to be frustrating, but had an overall plesant experience with the service. That said, they can have my RoadRunner when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.
To address the OP: I agree that the same old arguments get very tiring. I almost seems like a religious crusade to some people. I personally could care less what type computer or internet service you prefer, that’s your choice. It may not be my choice, but so what?
that’s another story!
