03-17-2008, 11:08 AM
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Location: Between here and there...
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Re: What did AoL do for us?
Quote:
AOL provides online security services for their free and paid subscribers. AOL partnered with McAfee to provide anti-virus software for Windows users. AOL's initial package was McAfee VirusScan 8.0 and Firewall Express 5.0. Initially, it was only available to paid subscribers using AOL 8.0 and 9.0; but is now available to users of version as old as 6.0.
In late-2005, AOL released AOL Safety & Security Center, a bundle of anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewal and phishing protection software. Replaced in 2007 by McAfee VirusScan Plus, the AOL Safety and Security Center included McAfee anti-virus, spyware, spam and phishing protection, plus AOL's proprietary parental controls and a firewall. The software was offered free of charge, but only to users with an AOL e-mail address or an AOL My eAddress running Microsoft Windows XP or 2000.
On August 7, 2006 [51], AOL released AOL Active Virus Shield. This software was developed by Kaspersky Lab. Active Virus Shield software was free and did not require an AOL account, only an internet e-mail address. It ran on various Microsoft operating systems including Windows 98, 2000, ME & XP. On August 1, 2007, AOL halted new registrations for this service. This led to many users experiencing error messages and failed virus-signature updates. This likely exposed users to the risk of new virus infection. AOL was late to announce this shut-down, as it came over a week after the software stopped updating. This experiment lasted slightly less than one year.
On June 8, 2006 [52], AOL offered a new program called AOL Active Security Monitor. This is a diagnostic tool to check your security status, and recommends additional Security software from AOL or Download.com in the category you are lacking. The program rates a computer on Firewall, Virus Protection, Spyware Protection, Windows and Web Browsers, Wireless and Home Network, Peer to Peer, PC Utilities, as well as giving an overall PC Safety Score Summary. The current version (2.0.0.18) only supports Windows 2000 or XP with Internet Explorer 5.0 or greater.
On July 18, 2007 [53], AOL released McAfee VirusScan Plus - Special Edition from AOL (VSP) and it premium version named McAfee Internet Security Suite - Special Edition from AOL (MIS). It replaces both The AOL Safety and Security Center and the defunct AOL Active Virus Shield. Like the AOL Safety and Security Center, it is an all-in-one security suite available free of charge to all users with an AOL e-mail address. Free AOL users can download the VSP while paid subscriber can download MIS. VSP includes an anti-virus, an anti-spyware and a firewall. MIS contains all components of VSP plus includes tools like automatic back-up and one-click restore of computer critical files. Additionally, it supports several modern Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. On this date, AOL pulled all further downloads of the defunct Active Virus Shield.
[edit] Free services
This article or section may contain an inappropriate mixture of prose and timeline.
Please help convert this timeline into prose or, if necessary, a list.
On Wednesday August 2, 2006 AOL announced: "We’re in the process of offering all of our content and many of our services for free -- with or without an AOL Internet connection."[54]
Among the announced plans are free email services similar to many 'free' email providers. Chatrooms are included with the free service, but users are required to verify the age of an account created under the free plan using a credit card. AOL charges $1 to the credit card provided and then immediately refunds the charge. Thus people making new accounts currently experience problems whereas those who have simply converted their pay accounts over to the free plan can chat without worry.
The current version of AOL's software as of August 2006, AOL 9.0, was once identified by Stopbadware as being "under investigation" [3], for installing additional software without disclosure, and modifying browser preferences, toolbars, and icons. However, as of the release of AOL 9.0 VR (Vista Ready) on January 26, 2007, it is no longer considered badware due to changes AOL made in the software [4].
On 16 February 2007, it was announced that AOL now supports OpenID.[citation needed]
On October 4, 2006, AOL released its new, free Internet suite, AOL OpenRide, which combines a web browser, instant messenger, email client and media player in one program window.
On March 13, 2008, AOL purchased the popular networking site bebo for $850m (£417m), The price-tag is tiny when compared with the valuations of similar websites. Microsoft bought 1.6% of Facebook last year for $240m.
AOL currently provides free usage of a custom domain name, which it calls an AOL My eAddress. This currently allows you to create an e-mail address like 'example@whateveryouwant.com', and allows up to 100 other addresses to be created. These e-mail accounts can be accessed in similar manner to other AOL and AIM e-mail accounts. The domain, however, is currently limited to e-mail through AOL's service, and is solely registered to AOL. This may make it unsuitable for a corporate image, and currently does not allow a website or DNS configuration. Details can be found in the AOL My eAddress Terms of Service under section 4 'Domain Name Registrations'. In late 2006, AOL began offering free and unlimited digital picture storage for anyone who has an account (even free ones) with AOL, AIM, or AOL My eAddress. Users can access their photos at [5] which can be accessed with any account type, paid or free. There is no storage limit on the number of digital photos, and original resolutions are preserved. An ActiveX control provides a drag-n-drop interface, permitting users to drop an entire folder of photos into the web page to upload them. Features include tagging and photo descriptions, similar to Flickr.com's features.
[edit] AOL Video
AOL's free video service is AOL Video. AOL Video features professional content and allows users to upload videos as well. The original user-orientated video service was called UnCut Video, but was abandoned.
[edit] AOL Local
Consolidating local local-based products, AOL Local brings together like the popular AOL CityGuide, AOL Yellow Pages and AOL Local Search to help users find local information like restaurants, local events, and directory listings.
[edit] YouTube partnership
In addition to hosting UnCut Video, AOL is rumored to be partnering up with YouTube by integrating video services [6]. Based on the leaked internal web site at AOL, some have also speculated that YouTube is countering MySpace's efforts to compete with them [7].
[edit] Xdrive
Xdrive is a service offered by AOL which allows users to back up their files over the Internet. The service provides a free 5 GB account (free online storage) to anyone who has, or is willing to sign up for a free AOL screenname.[55]
Xdrive also offers remote backup services and 50GB of storage for a $9.95 per month fee.[55]
Recently, problems have arisen with Xdrive signups. People who sign up for Xdrive using an existing AOL screenname have had their screenname disabled without explanation. Those who had been using AIM as a free service, even under screennames in existence for many years, have been unable to get the accounts reinstated or access the data associated with them. In addition, affected users with free AIM accounts cannot reach AOL for help or even for information, as their phone support explicitly excludes such users. AOL is apparently either unaware of this problem or has no intention to investigate or rectify it. In addition canceling the account seems to be very difficult even for paying customers. Online help suggests that it can be done with either support email or by phone using 1-800 number. Unfortunately due to constant technical problems the phone number and the email address are not visible for every paying account. Even with email canceling option many have stated that phone call to 1-800 number was required while others have found that changing their credit card was the only option.
[edit] Bebo
On March 13, 2008, AOL purchased the popular networking site Bebo for $850m (£417m), The price-tag is tiny when compared with the valuations of similar websites. Microsoft bought 1.6% of Facebook last year for $240m.
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