[GameMaster]

I was afraid you were going to see this. *grabs a big cup of pretend coffee* Looks like it's going to be a long night...

Originally posted by sdtPikachu
How? I've not come across one single piece of internet censoring software that can't be easily circumvented by any kid with a bit of curiosity and the ability to type www.google.com.
The words "false", "sense" and "security" spring to mind.

You're right. At that point it's in the hands of the parents to be responcible for their children's online journeys.

Yes, I do know, AOL really is that bad. Where do I begin? Terrible bandwidth (I have NEVER seen a connection on AOL dialup faster than 33 k), stupidly high latency, endless adverts, crap browser, god awful customer support.

Actually, I always get 49k. Perhaps it's just your area, eh? And the browser is actually very impressive. I get pretty fast speeds for it being a dial up. And I've always received great customer sevice. I get e-mails back within 24 hours. But then again, I have a Mac, so it's only natural that I get better results Maybe their European extensions aren't as good as the U.S.'s?

Lets say you're buying a new car. Do you buy the Ferrari, or the Ford? The Ford costs the same as the Ferrari, but the Ford comes with a helper who, every time you get in the car, tells you where to sit, how to hold the steering wheel, how to fasten your seatbelt etc etc etc. The Ferrari, although much better, is cheaper because it doesn't come with this frivolous extra which no-one needs after the first few days.

Uhh, maybe the Crown Victoria and Thunderbird cost as much as a Ferrari but I think their the only models that get that high... And I don't understand your helper rant. Are you referring to the manual? If so, Ford is only being responcible. You think for the price you pay for a Ferrari they would give you a "helper" as well.

I could go further...
FUD marketing
Aggressive marketing
Bundled software deals
Making it almost impossible to cancel you "free subscription"

I don't know what FUD means but I agree with regarding the agressive marketing issue. If you haven't heard there are two individuals here in the States who are collecting their junky CDs from people around their world. When they get a million there going to take them to AOL and dump them all outside the front office.

What bundled software deals?

Unfortunately for your generalisation, there are a great many non-techies who despise it as well. And, much as it must pain you to hear it, but I do have a life outside a CRT.

I never said you didn't have a life. You put words in my mouth and then you generalized yourself by assuming that you were a techie according to my definitions. And while there are normal users who do despise it, there are more normals that like it than don't like it.

Well, that'd be all fine and well if I were actually doing anything illegal. Lets see... hoe many warezed apps do I have? What's that? None? Whoa. Ah, but how many illegal mp3's do I have? Coo. Also none.

I never said you pirated software or music files. Again, you are putting words in my mouth.

Most of the people I know pulling "illegal stunts" only bitch about AOL cos of the piss poor download speeds and unreliable connections.

It wouldn't matter what ISP they had. Downloading music and applications on dial-up is going to take a long time no matter what. I'd advise they make friends with someone who has cable and a CD burner.

And believe me, doing "illegal stunts" are no more difficult to do on any ISP than another. True there are some that have blocked groups like alt.binaries.pics.animalsfsckingchildren, but really all you need is an internet connection. Full stop.

True. With the exception of music, you're wasting you're time attempting to download anything else on dial-up.

Click internet explorer button (whilst stdPikachu vomits)
Type words in bar at top
The end

Not everyone has broadband Pika, it's not as simple as clicking the browser and it simply popping up. For dial-ups you have to type your screen-name and password and I'm guessing that's equally easy on all the ISPs so...

But for people who haven't been born into a world that is run by computers, it's not as easy Pika, are parents and grandparents aren't as skilled on the computer because they didn't grow up with them. It's all balanced however. We don't even have half the imagination or creativity they did. Everything is thought and done for us.

Is it really that hard to use an internet browser without ads flashing everywhere?

For a senior citizen, you bet it is.

They are selling points to people who have never seen anything else and therefore know no better. I refer once again to AOL's marketing strategies.

Yes, and because they know no better, the easiest to use application is the one they're going to initiallly want. As they advance they may indeed want something else and have new opinions about AOL.

I agree, and stuff like that is REALLY DIFFICULT using anything else...

And for someone who didn't grow up with computers it could be difficult. AOL has all that stuff built in. As opposed to three separate applications for mail, IM, and internet.

I reserve the right to criticise and piss and moan about everything. But I mean, hell, whoever bothers to listen?

Kitana does. And as long as you have the right to fight, I have the right to defend.