I've been using AOL since 1998, I wanted an affordable and reliable ISP that would give me integrated email facilities. I tried many other ISP's that were around at the time but came to the conclusion that AOL was the best one for me. I've used all versions from 3 up to 6.0 and am now using version 7.0 wich looks even better than before and is faster and easier to use. Of course all ISP's have problems from time to time and I'm not saying I've never had any with AOL, because I have. When problems have arisen there has always been excellent online or telephone help and support available for me when required. AOL certainly wasn't the most affordable ISP two and a half years ago, but when they introduced the Flat rate £14.99 a month plan this changed things completely. You can now stay online 24 hours a day and only ever pay £14.99 a month, now that must sound good to everyone. I would strongly recommend it to everyone, the integrated instant message and email facilities mean you can do everything from one page without having to open other applications.

I also came across an opinion on here that mentioned about hacking. This is a major problem rite across the internet whoever you use as an ISP, but AOL are one of the most secure networks out there with one of the most advanced security servers out of anyone.
If you keep your passwords secure and change them regularly there shouldn't be a problem and obviously don't use obvious passwords like your name etc.
It’s also good to know that when you ring AOL they ask several security questions and if you cant answer them all they wont speak to you, but then you should know all the answers if it’s your account. Although for some of the older members who pay by Direct Debit because they didn't have a credit or debit card I know it can be a little annoying and frustrating to be continuously asked for your card number when you don't have one. At least you know that no one else can convince the operator to talk to them unless they know all the correct answers.

Firstly you will be greeted by a very friendly Joanna Lumely saying ‘Welcome to AOL’ followed by ‘You have email’ if you do that is. Who could ask for a friendlier greeting than that, now you don't get that with all ISP’s?
There are loads of online areas for different services or products within AOL and these are accessed by ‘Keywords’. These are simple descriptive words that will take you straight to the area required.
Keywords are typed into the address bar and will normally take you straight to where you want to go, otherwise you be directed to a search page where AOL will have performed a search over the Internet for the word you typed in, how helpful! This however can be a little irritating if you mistype your keyword.
These online areas include:
A very good online shop where you can buy AOL merchandise as well as software for your Pc.
A kids section wich has teen horoscopes and articles from Sugar magazine etc.
A Finance section accessed through keyword ‘Money’ which will allow you to compare bank or loan interest rates including links for applying for any of these online.
Links to an insurance area where you can compare insurance prices for your car or home and even apply online.
By typing in keyword ‘Chat’ you can select from dozens of different chat rooms for any taste where you can talk to people online with similar interests to yourself. These include Teen chat, 50+ Romance, down the pub, News chat, Politics chat etc. Although from previous experience most of the people in the chat rooms aren't chatting about what the title indicates! So beware. However you can be assured that anyone breaching the AOL Codes Of Service or ‘COS’ will be severely dealt with which may even include being banned from the AOL service. These breaches may include making racial or sexual comments or advances to other members in the chat rooms. If this does happen then you can ‘Page a guide’. These Guides are employed to police AOL. They act upon member complaints whether it is in a chat room or through an instant message. They can be ‘paged’ through Keyword ‘Page Guide’ and you will be asked to comment on the offence, a guide will then either instant message or email you with a reply or appear in the offending chat room.
Every time a guide investigates a particular member a ‘Violation’ is placed on their account. If enough of these are issued then the member may lose the ability to instant message or email or in the worst case will be barred for anywhere between 24 hours to indefinitely.

A very good feature of AOL is the news section; this brings you up to date news as it breaks through SKY or CNN news. You can even view video clips for certain big scale articles.

As an added bonus you can also check you emails from any other computer by going to www.aol.co.uk and entering your screen name and password. If you are going to be away from your computer for some time you can also download AIM from the same site. This basically allows you to chat to all your favourite AOL members that are in your buddy list and check your emails from any other computer in the world.
I mentioned the ‘Buddy List’ this is available through AIM or your main AOL account, in here you enter the screen names of your favourite AOL members so you know when they are online and available to chat. If you are busy you can select an away message; wich gives people an automated response detailing why you can’t chat at the moment every time they try and instant message you. With your instant messages you can also select a ‘Buddy Icon’, for others to view, these are available through AIM, or through AOL version 6 and above, although the largest selections are through AIM.

So if you haven't already done so go to www.aol.co.uk and download the latest software for you’re 100 hour free trial or call their free phone number to request your free CD.