I was just listening to a local computer talk radio show. It was reported that the latest AOL version (6.0) creates a "virtual network" between AOL and your computer which allows "them" total access to all information stored on your hard drive. (This would also allow access to other computers you may be networked with.) Apparently the radio show host has been pursuing the issue and AOL has declined comment. He has taken it to the media and claims it will be a breaking story next week. Interesting if true and yet another reason to stay away from AOL.

-- CD (costavike@hotmail.com), December 09, 2000

Answers

another urban legend is born, maybe?? I can think of a hundred other reasons to stay away from aol!! They will not take no for an answer, I have tried to cancel my old account from 3 years ago, they keep giving me free hours, then after that period is up, here comes another charge on my credit card! I have tried my damdest to get "TOSsed", but all the do is just delete my obscene posts... aol has destroyed netscape... aol is making gates look like a saint nowadays...

-- Rob (celtic64@inficad.com), December 09, 2000.

another urban legend is born, maybe??

That was my first thought too, Rob. Had I seen this in an email I wouldn't have given it a second glance. However, being that the guy is on record as having made these potentially slanderous claims, I have to put a little more credence into it. Guess we'll find out in a week or so.

Good luck with your cancellation efforts. Fortunately, I didn't have your problem when I cancelled a few years back. But then again, I moved out of the country and they probably just gave up trying to forward all their garbage to Central America.

-- CD (costavike@hotmail.com), December 09, 2000.

"Goodbye"

-- (aol@sux.sux), December 09, 2000.

When I canceled and thought I'd finally gotten rid of AOL, they continued to charge my card! gggrrrrrrrrrrr

AOL is bad news

-- cin (cin@cin.cin), December 09, 2000.

If 6.0 is anything like 5.0 (mucking about with all your PC settings so you can get IN to the AOL world, but it's not so easy to get OUT again) -- I'd avoid it like the plague. MNSHO. (Not that it matters much, because if you're here reading this, you already have an ISP -- and if it's not AOL, you wouldn't touch it with someone ELSE'S ten-foot pole; and if it IS AOL, it's too late...)

-- I'm Here, I'm There, (I'm Everywhere,@So.Beware), December 09, 2000.

CD are you in Costa Rica and if so, where? TaZ... who has property in Guanacaste. Taz

-- Taz (Tassie@RuralFlorida.com), December 09, 2000.

My attempt at sounding like a computer newbie:

What does AOL stand for?
What does ISP stand for?
What does MNSHO mean?
What does TAZ stand for?


-- Dr. Pibb (dr.pibb@zdnetonebox.com), December 09, 2000.

I'll give it a shot, Doc...

What does AOL stand for? America OnLine. Formerly a good service, needing very little technical effort by the user to get online. Now known as Evil Incarnate, and distributor of many many many free plastic frisbees that don't fly very well in the first place.

What does ISP stand for? Internet Service Provider. The nice people I pay $20 a month to so I can listen to busy signals over my PC speakers.

What does MNSHO mean? My Not-So-Humble Opinion. Usually written as "IMNSHO," meaning IN My... etc. ITTMTUAIGA. (I Tend To Make Them Up As I Go Along)

What does TAZ stand for? Anything she wants.

-- I'm Here, I'm There, (I'm Everywhere,@So.Beware), December 09, 2000.

Taz- I was formerly in Costa Rica and Panama but, like you, am now in Florida. Lucky you for owning property in Guanacaste. (I'm jealous.) That part of the country would also be my choice if I were to buy property in CR. I particularly enjoyed Playa del Coco. Be sure to have a friend or agent check on your property every few months. Rumor has it squatters can be a real problem if they take up residence and are left unreported too long.

-- CD (costavike@hotmail.com), December 09, 2000.

If you are on broadband or DSL, and you use Netscape or IE5.5, anybody who knows how to traceroute or find an IP has access to your system. You don't need AOL to open the black box to the world. If you need proof, click this link and look at what anybody who knows how too to do so can see on your system. Be sure to click the Privacy Analysis on the left hand side. Got hardware and software firewalls? Doesn't matter. To be fully safe you need to turn off java and surf through an anon site. Or, build a server and firewall off that drive. Keep nothing important on it and you'll be fine...

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), December 09, 2000.

This morning while sorting the factory mail I found a free CD for AOL version #6.

This is another coffee coaster...

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), December 09, 2000.

Bob...what's mozilla and why is it sending info from my browser?

-- cin (cin@cin.cin), December 10, 2000.

I've got AOL 4.0. I cancelec my VISA card in May. That stopped the bills and I've still got service. Last month I started getting notices when I log on to update my account, I just delete the screen and get on with life. If they ever cancel me, I've got a shelf of free offers from other ISPs.

-- Johnn Littmann (littmannj@aol.com), December 10, 2000.

cin... Mozilla 0.6 Released

Mozilla is an open- source web browser, designed for standards compliance, performance and portability. For more info about us, read Mozilla at a Glance. We provide binaries for testing and feedback.

Mozilla 0.6 is a milestone release based on the same branch as Netscape 6. It is aimed at developers who wish to create products that extend Netscape 6 or who wish to port it. Read the release notes for more info.

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), December 10, 2000.

Those AOL disks are excellent targets at 50 yards...

BOOM!!! (goodbye)

(snicker)

chewin' on the cd wrapper...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), December 11, 2000.