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AOL Desktop User Reviews (23 posts)Write A Review
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Sep 10 2009
*....

SEANBPERIOD  Won't install on Snow Leopard 10.6.1

It says that I already have a newer version installed, but I have 1.5..   
(Version 1.6b2)

praisebury
+1
[ 1 Reply - Reply ]
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Sep 10 2009

ANDYROGERS  Same here. Can't install 1.6b2 on OSX 10.6.1. And I already trashed my 1.5.  
(Version 1.6b2)

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0

Jan 25 2009
*****

JAZZYGUY  Well despite all the terrible comments my curiosity was fired up so I tried this application. When I started out years ago I had AOL as my ISP and I hated it. It used a proxy to give you a web browser and it had so many problems I was glad to rid myself of it. However,this application is quite nice. I have the latst news encapsulated within it and the GUI is nice. I really don't know what all the Brouha is about. I have to give this piece of freeware 5Stars.  
(Version 1.5)

praisebury
+1
[ Reply ]
Nov 5 2008
****.

ZC456  Holy crap, people, its a freakin' beta. "...released to an enthusiastic public for large-scale testing and bug discovery." - Wikipedia

The new software includes Safari's engine, just like the Windows version uses IE's engine, so it should be a smooth transition in terms of logging into all your sites from Safari. The new interface is as "native" as it gets. So I don't know why people are complaining.

With the new interface means finally upgraded software. Mail, AIM, and of course the browser have been totally revamped. I have a iBook G4, 15inch display, 1024x768, so things are a little big for me unlike the new Macs. AIM has a new interface, user info is a simple mouse hover away, and chatting has been revamped with a nice bigger window and tabs are default and its all ad-free. Mail is all native and almost looks like they copied off Apple's Mail. Its the ONLY application on the desktop software that has ads which is fine for me. Although it could use some work.

This is the biggest change to hit AOL in a long time and by far welcomed one. Ignore those who say it sucks, has spyware, ect. This is isn't version 9! AOL changed its focus a long while back and this software shows it. My only complaints to the beta is the browser buttons shouldn't be "shiny." It feels awkward when on Leopard and even on Tiger. Hands down. I suggest more research if they want to go all native on both Tiger & Leopard platforms.  
(Version 1.5b6)

praisebury
+2
[ 2 Replies - Reply ]
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Nov 26 2008

PETER DA SILVA  But what does it actually *do*?

That's what people are boggled about... what does this desktop get you that the built-in software doesn't already do much much better? WHy would you use this package instead of Safari, iChat/AdiumX, Apple Mail, etc? What's the point? Cui bono? Where's the beef?  
(Version 1.5b7)

praisebury
+1
Dec 9 2008

TIM.DEHRING  The point of this software is an all in one package for AOL. This is great for switchers from Windows that are used to using AOL Desktop so that they don't feel alienated. I should know, my grandfather refuses to get rid of AOL and so when I set up his Mac mini, I made sure I installed AOL for him, and he loved it.  
(Version 1.5b8)

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0

Oct 8 2008

DANA SUTTON  What seems like decades ago (maybe it was!) I was a beta tester for AOL software. Although I and many other testers kept complaining about the hideous interface and how absolutely un-Maclike it was, their software engineers never got the point. It's like the chapter on "Human Engineering" had been ripped out of their textbooks. All I need is a quick glance at the screenshot to see that they still utterly fail to get it. I physically flinch when my poor eyes are confronted with AOL Desktop. I can easily see the point of having an all-in-one piece of software for those folks who aren't very computer-savvy and don't especially want to become so, and these days this is probably the single selling-point of AOL . But people like that are precisely the kind of people who will no doubt be thrown off -- or more likely scared off -- by such a cluttered, complex and confusing interface. AOL desperately needs to be ruthless and simplify, simplify, simplify.  
(Version 1.5b4)

praisebury
+1
[ Reply ]
Aug 28 2008
**...

JEFFSTERS  Poor substitute for the free applications already included with Mac OS X which do not push ads on you. Fails to provide compatibility with all the AOL services or past AOL features. Is WAY behind the Windows version. Even AOL's web site refuses often to allow access to areas claiming the browser is too old or incompatible. In all, after all these years, you would expect better.   
(Version 1.5b2)

praisebury
-1
[ Reply ]
Jul 15 2008

WHICH BUTTON IS THE ANY KEY?  So why all the hate?

- AOL keeps improving their software.

- Newer versions don't run slower than older ones.

- AOL won the 2008 Apple Developer Award CUBE for best iPhone Entertainment Application which is AOL Radio.

- Beta and GM versions can coexist side by side.

- No one is forcing you to use it.

- It is free.

There are plenty of 'I am the 8 tons. gorilla in the room' kind of companies which couldn't even place a check mark to any of the aforementioned statements and whose software is expensive as hell.

To complain for the sake of complain is a common symptom of immaturity. Do it with constructive feedback about the software so AOL could bring a better Mac client. Maybe this is not AOL OpenRide but at least they are trying which is needless to say, honest and honesty is the best image.  
(Version 1.5b1)

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0
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Jul 15 2008

MECHAMANIA  The hate is likely from all the horrible service over the years when AOL was basically the only game in town. It was nearly impossible to cancel subscriptions for many people for a long while (among other things), and people came to hate AOL.

AOL brought it on themselves, and while it's "nice" that they are developing this for free, etc., it's more because they have to--in order to salvage what remains of their brand--as opposed to doing so because they want to. They'd still be sticking it to everyone if they could, but they can't.

So why would anyone want to make constructive criticisms and give them free help? Screw 'em.

AOL knows right now that the very mention of their brand causes disgust among so many -- so much so that they are looking to re-brand as AIM, which is their most popular product.  
(Version 1.5b1)

praisebury
+1
Aug 4 2008

PETER DA SILVA  The question is... what does it actually DO?

When you don't need to run AOL software to log in to AOL, what benefit do you get from AOL Desktop? What does it actually do?  
(Version 1.5b2)

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0
Aug 4 2008

DANA SUTTON  What does it do? Looking at the screenshot, one gets the idea that it mostly shows you a whole bunch of ads, and that this was foremost in its designers' minds. One of the many, many reasons I got out of AOL many years ago is that I wanted an interface that showed me what I wanted to look at, not what they wanted me to look at (and were aggressively pushing all the time). AOL may imagine this ruthless onslaught of clutter generates profit, but it's such a massive turnoff that no doubt it's cost them a lot more than it's made them.  
(Version 1.5b2)

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Jul 15 2008

OOSHNOO  Why? Why? Why?  
(Version 1.5b1)

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-2
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Jul 15 2008

SCHMELDING  I used AOL.

When I was 13.  
(Version 1.5b1)

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-2
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Jul 1 2008

ROG360  Wow! Can't wait to install this... LOL!!!  
(Version b19)

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-2
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Jun 11 2008

SMKSENSEI  Proof that there ARE viruses running on Macs.  
(Version 1.1)

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-2
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Jun 4 2008

BILLY THE BIKER  Microsoft, AOL and Qwest free since 2001.  
(Version b17)

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-1
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Jul 15 2008

DNELSON  Very good for you! You've stayed clear of some of the worst companies/corporations in recent history!  
(Version 1.5b1)

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0

Jun 4 2008

MBHOCKEY  lol?  
(Version b17)

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-1
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May 6 2008

SANJINKO  The downloaded disk image, when mounted, contains an Installer package, which in turn, when opened with, say, Pacifist, shows AOL Desktop.app with a dot preceeding it, hence an invisible file. Is that what AOL tries to put onto our Macs? Invisible applications!  
(Version 1.0)

praisebury
-2
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Jul 3 2008

MACTEAM  Hello,

I'm the product manager for AOL Desktop for Mac and when you use Pacifist, the .AOL Desktop.app file is the standard technique used by many Mac apps. When installing a new update, we make sure the entire file is installed before removing the older one.

This is a standard procedure for Apple's DMG packager. You don't want to install a partial app :)

thanks..

Lee Givens

AOL Mac Product Lead  
(Version b19)

praisebury
+1
Nov 4 2008

PETER DA SILVA  Why do you need an installer at all? Even Microsoft doesn't demand you use an installer, they have one, but when I installed Office X it gave me the option of running the installer or just copying the appdir to Applications. What's the point of installers for trivial apps?

(which does raise the question, why do you need AOL desktop at all?)  
(Version 1.5b6)

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0

May 5 2008

OOSHNOO  Why? Why God, why?  
(Version 1.0)

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Apr 28 2008
****.

RC PHOTO  I like this software. I like the idea of one program that handles web browsing, email and instant messaging in an easy to use program. If you became fond of the old AOL and want something similar to use on an Intel Mac, this is it. They will not be developing anything else. Love it or hate it, this is where AOL is going.  
(Version 1.0b15)

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0
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Aug 28 2008

JEFFSTERS  Hold on...you think this is an application someone that used the old AOL client would like? What have you been smoking? Try getting into an AOL chat room! NOT AIM, AOL! Guess what YOU CAN'T!  
(Version 1.5b2)

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Apr 2 2008

MISTERLISTER  Anyone else notice what was being searched for in the picture?

Aimbots.

LOL  
(Version 1.0b12)

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Apr 2 2008

SPLUNK23  This is some kind of April Fool's Day joke, right? Does anyone actually USE AOL anymore?! I guess I can see why some folks still pay to hang on to their e-mail address they've had for so long. But does anyone use AOL as a way to "get on the Internet?" Geez, I hope not.  
(Version 1.0b12)

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Feb 22 2008

SPLUNK23  AOL is back?!? Are the endless pop-ups and picture-less e-mail and inability to uninstall back, too?

Anachronism.  
(Version 1.0b9)

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Feb 8 2008

SEANBPERIOD  thank god? i don't think god has anything to do with aol software.  
(Version 1.0b7)

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Jan 25 2008

BRILDENLANCH  Thank God AOL has "reaffirmed" its commitment to me and my Mac. I was wallowing away in a pool of my own tears for so long....  
(Version 1.0b6)

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0
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Jan 9 2008

WHICH BUTTON IS THE ANY KEY?  Needs a new interface, still prone to crash, I would like to get something like the old AOL OpenRide thing, that was cool.  
(Version 1.0b5)

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Jan 8 2008

SUPER_A  Is this something serious or did we just time warp to 1993?

Either way this is funny.  
(Version 1.0b5)

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Oct 19 2007

MIKAELF  Complains that I'm not connected to internet...heck, I just downloaded it from there.

Proxy settings...

/Mikael  
(Version 1.0b2)

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0
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Oct 22 2007

MACTEAM  Thanks for trying AOL Desktop for Mac beta. Please submit your feedback or bugs to the following link:

http://beta.aol.com/feedback/test.php?src=desktop_mac&tab=feedback

Please stop by the Mac@AOL blog for more information.

http://macblog.aol.com

thanks...

Lee Givens

AOL Mac Product Lead

Mac@AOL Blog: http://macblog.aol.com  
(Version 1.0b2)

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0
Oct 24 2007

MECHAMANIA  The internet is not something that you just dump something on -- it's not a big truck. It's a series of tubes... tangled-up tubes.  
(Version 1.0b2)

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Oct 25 2007

MIKAELF  Yeah....that made a lot of sense. What else are you smoking?

/Mikael  
(Version 1.0b2)

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Oct 25 2007

MECHAMANIA  It's an oldie, but still a goodie:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_of_tubes  
(Version 1.0b2)

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0

 

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