[sdtPikachu]

Sorry to disappoint you Cyrax, but it sounds like a load of old horse**** to me.

"AOL and Intel are trying to partner up, but to do so they need some "Lab Rats", that's us, to beta test there software"

Since when did Intel make software? Since when did AOL make software worth using?

"AOL Time Warner, and Intel trying to partner up to be the "largest Computer Company" "

Ain't gonna happen. I'd like to see an OS that AOL turned out. A ha ha. AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAAAA! Ah, the thought brings a merry tear to my eyes.

Like gekko and jshrimp say, Intel just make processors, mainly of th x86 variety (and not even the best variety - go Athlon!). AOL just make a crappy ISP and bloatware to plug onto it - namely the IE shell extensions that convert IE to "My AOL" or whatever the f**k it's called, and their ****ey chat client. Yes, AOL have acquired ICQ and Netscape, but I still think they're a fair way from making their own OS, office and server apps, no? Especiallly seeing that no-one who works for them can code for toffee.

"Also, Pika, Could this mean the end of an AOL and Linux Partnership? I hope not."

I take it you mean the attempted takeover of RedHat by AOL? Well thank f**k it never happened is all I can say. Everything AOL touches turns to ****, and it would be no different with RedHat. RedHat specialise in Linux for the workplace, not desktop Linux which is what AOL would be interested in. No, AOL only tried to buy RedHat cos they're the only Linux distributor who've made consistent profits. The day AOL gets a hold of Linux will spell the end for GNU and the GPL I feel.

"You do know AOL is actually owned in part and or affiliated with Microsoft"

Umm... since when? Why then are they going against them in direct competition? Namely: a) trying to get involved with Linux (known now as "The Threat" at M$ HQ) and b) giving up IE as it's intergrated browser of choice and opting for Netscape (IE's arch rival, which they own) instead...?

AOL and M$ are two totally different companies, and they are not connected in any way at all, apatr from both of them being total bastards.

"That's it, my next Comp has to either be a Mac or a Linux system"

Macs are sexy (and thanks to the BSD in OS X, are now also slightly more configurable), but only GNU/Linux gives you true FREEDOM! I can safely say I long for the day when I no longer have to use windows any more. The standard of the applications on my Linux distro are outstanding, and I've only just scratched the surface. Ever used a computer and thought "Wouldn't it be great if...?" Chances are with Linux that soemone already has. Bliss.

"AOL will be the Only thing on it"

I pity you... what I hate most about AOL is the way it installs a bunch of crap on any PC machine you stick the CD into, like AIM and the AOL browser. I'll choose my own software thank-you. IN the UK at least they're a ****ty and expensive ISP anyway; they just get cutomers through extensive marketing, fear techniques , FUD ("only AOL can protect your children from porn", "the worlds best internet provider" and other such crap). I don't know what their service is like in the YooEss but here it's abysmal. The worst thing is the people that although they've never tried anything different still believe that AOL are "the best". Poor, deluded fools.

"They do make good coster's"

We're guing ours together and then sawing the stack in two to make a set of bookends. We're thinking about submitting them to either a home design show or an exhibition in contemporary art.