Is it the boards or AOL?

[Mazzy]

I couldn't log on or reply to any posts yesterday, I kept getting 'server is either busy or has problems'. This was in the morning from about 10 am 'til 12.30.

I'm just trying to work out whether it was a problem with the boards or whether my new ISP AOL are letting me down.

I'm finding AOL a lot slower than the free internet, we are on a month's free trial at the moment, so it would be a big help if anyone could tell me if they were having problems posting yesterday morning, so I know one way or the other before I make a committment.

Also anyone else out there using AOL? How do you find it for speed and reliability?

Thanks

 

[Penny12]

Well, I didn't get any 'server busy' messages yesterday, but the boards did seem a little slow. I think they are better today though, are you still having trouble?

Penny

 

[Mazzy]

Hi Penny

Today it's not too bad, I've managed to log in and reply to post no problem, but AOL are definitely a little slower than the free internet, but don't kick me out every hour, so it's hobson's choice really!

I think really we need a new computer as our modem is rubbish, but as we have bought a new car and kitchen this year, plus the holiday coming up in December, there's no chance of a new computer in the near future so I guess I just have to put up with it! Just hoping it lasts until we get a new one, as I would be bouncing off the walls if I couldn't get my 'DIS fix'!

 

[BevS97]

Mazzy - I couldn't get onto the boards at all last night, and I don't use AOL.

I have used them in the past, but I found them very slow, and they won't work on some sites.

For the £15/month that AOL will charge you there are other ISPs that are better (IMHO) and won't kick you off every 2 hours.

Bev

 

[Mazzy]

Hi Bev

Thanks for the info. I didn't realise that AOL would throw me out after 2 hours, I can't say it has happened yet, though I'm not sure if I have been on for 2 hours or more at a time.

What ISPs would you recommend to replace AOL? I am on the free months trial so now is the time to do something about it if there is a better option out there.

Thanks

 

[BevS97]

sorry Mazzy - my post wasn't clear - I meant compared to the free one which kept kicking you off. They aren't actually free either, because you have to pay for your phone calls.

I use tiscali who I have been pretty happy with - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/ occassionally I can't get logged on during a busy time, but generally they are reliable.

there's a huge list of isps here

List of ISPs

I think any of the one's in the grey box on the right should be fine - expect to pay about £15/month for unlimited use and a freephone number.

Bev

 

[Astrid]

Hi Mazzy

I'm on AOL and apart from occasionally having trouble logging on (which is in the most part due to my pc!) I have no trouble with the service at all.

There is no time restraint (I hate to think how long I sometimes stay on-line!!) and there is no charge for the helpline, which, even though I don't use very often, is a big plus as I know some ISPs charge a huge amount per minute for this service.

I haven't had any bother logging on to the boards recently, sometimes it's slower than others but I think that's probably just due to the large amount of people trying to get on at the same time.

I think AOLs other services and the fact that a lot of my friends are on the same ISP is a big plus so I'm more than happy with them!

Hope it soon gets better for you!

Astrid x

 

[Mazzy]

Gosh Bev, where to start with that list?!?

It's all been a big pain really. I found The Free Internet OK, it was quite fast, even though it threw me out every hour, I think I would rather have the speed! I don't have a choice though, as The Free Internet has withdrawn it's service due to a dispute with it's telephone provider and it's gone down the legal road now, so who know's when service will be resumed, if ever

I paid £100 for the year with The Free Internet with no other charges so it was a pretty good deal and for that price I was prepared to put up with it's quirks.

Once the free trial with AOL finishes it is £15 a month so nearly twice what we paid for TFI, but this seems standard rate. It's just so frustrating with it being so slow, which could be down to my modem, but as TFI was quicker, this leads me to believe it must be AOL?

One thing which I would appreciate some help with is I have been trying to use the British European website, which I used OK in the past with TFI. I have put flight dates in, selected flights OK, but when it gets to the stage of giving a price it won't go any further, when I click on submit (to get prices), nothing happens. I wonder if some kind soul could just put some dates in and let me know if it's the BE website faulty or it's my server? I would really appreciate it, the website is www.flybe.com

Thanks a Bunch

 

[BevS97]

I;ve just managed to get a fare from Birmingham to Guersey, no bother.

Are you using the AOL browser? You can launch your old browser (IE or Netscape) once you have logged onto AOL and it may work better.

My main bugbear with AOL was the email, it won't let you use a different email program and I hated the one that came with AOL.

That list is long isn't it! I would start with the one's in the box,
Tiscali, Claranet, Freeserve, BT, Demon - any of them should be ok.

The most annoying thing is continually having to change your email address.

I have a cheaper deal with Tiscali - it's £5.99 for 50 hours per month, which has worked fine for me, but it must have been too popular because they seem to have withdrawn it for new customers.

Bev

 

[Janice]

Hi Mazzy - BE just checked out for me too - wish I could spare the time and afford to go to Strasbourg next week...........oh well, back to the drawing board!!

I am with BT and have to say that I find them really quite good in general, we have Home Highway, which I need for my business, but I do find it an advantage being able to be on line 24/7 and not worry about speed or anything.

Have you checked out BT Anytime?

 

[Enright78]

I have always used AOL. No complaints, quick and easy to use!
Sorry to muddy the waters! JMHO

 

[AlisonB]

We're with Freeserve, pay £13.99 a month for unlimited access (but we get bumped off after 2 hours - but log straight back in again no problems).

Although we have a Freeserve email address now, we only use our original ones and have no problem picking those up on Freeserve.

 

[MickeyMcMouse]

Mazzy , been using aol for about 4 or 5 years now and no problems. Go to the box where you type in your web addresses and type "Best Number".

This will check you are using the best access numbers for your area. If it is still slow, juggle the access numbers round so you start off with the third or forth number on the list.

That should help.

David