Regarding problems with AOL, here is another tidbit of information.
AOL has been attempting to do something about spam email that comes into
their system (this is good).  However, they are doing very little about
spam that comes out of their system (this is bad).

As a result, many smaller ISPs (Internet Service Providers), who have
much better filtering systems than AOL, are refusing to accept AOL
input into their systems.  As retaliation, AOL, rather than improving
their own miserable system, then blocks many of these superior ISP
systems.

The solution: run, don't walk, from AOL as fast as you can.

Tom Lear recently lamented the passing of the earlier versions of AOL
and said that "You cannot get Version 5 with the great email program".

Tom, if you are really sure that you want to retain AOL (I can't imagine
why), you can, in fact, get virtually any of the previous versions of
AOL.  They are all on any AOL CD that comes in the mail or that you
can pick up almost anywhere.  The previous versions are listed under
"Hidden Files".  Pick the one you want and go for it.  Version 5 Gold
is probably as good as you will find.  I wouldn't advise anyone to
install anything later than that.  The later versions have too many
fingers throughout your system and, short of reformatting your hard
drive, you will have great difficulty ever removing it totally from
your system.

The best idea, however, is to drop AOL and improve your lot.

Bruce Miller
Issaquah, Washington