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Toward a Better Computing Experience | Gabe Goldberg, Computers and Publishing, Inc., Tiplet (at) gabegold.com |
Back in the Internet's pre-history, AOL was the leading online service, providing connectivity, software applications, content, news, games, and support. But as Internet availability and diverse content grew, the need for an all-inclusive "walled garden" -- as AOL was charmingly called -- diminished.
Even now, though, AOL provides many people's entire online experience. While there's nothing wrong with that -- and there's some appeal to one-stop shopping, such as better program integration and easier problem determination -- it's worth recognizing that the garden walls have come down and that nearly any current standard Internet software works with AOL, because they communicate using TCP/ IP, the Internet Protocol Suite. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TCP/IP
As you read about popular programs such as Web browser Firefox and email client Thunderbird, you may have wondered how to use them with AOL. The first step, of course, is to download and install them.
Firefox is simplest to use. If AOL is your Internet connection, sign on. Then start Firefox and it will find and use your Internet connection, whether it's broadband or dialup. You can minimize AOL to reduce screen clutter and simply see your new browser. Explore Firefox's powerful options and add-ons which let you tailor your browsing experience as you prefer. And you can import your AOL favorite Web sites list. http://kb.mozillazine.org/
Firefox_:_FAQs_:_Importing_Opera_Bookmarks
To use Thunderbird, visit AOL Help, <http://help.aol.com/, and enter "thunderbird" in the text window.
A top article, "How to Use Mozilla Thunderbird to Read and Send AOL or AIM E-mail", gives very detailed illustrated instructions.
The process for using other Internet software with AOL is similar: Find, download, install, and customize it, following instructions and tips from the software's source, AOL, and the Internet community. As always, Google is your friend: Googling the name of the software you're interested in together with "AOL" will usually find plenty of detailed instructions for making them work together.
This article first appeared on the Tiplet Web site, <www.tiplet.com> and is copyrighted by the author, Gabriel Goldberg. All rights are reserved; it may be reproduced, downloaded, or disseminated, for single use, or by nonprofit organizations for educational purposes, with attribution to Tiplet and the author. It should be unchanged and this paragraph must be included. Please email the author at tiplet@gabegold.com when you use it, or for permission to excerpt or condense. Tiplet's free newsletter provides weekly computer tips.