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http://www.macnn.com/articles/01/04/12/aol.releases/

AOL releases AOL 5 beta for OS X to testers

updated 08:20 pm EDT, Thu April 12, 2001

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AOL today released the first beta of AOL 5 for MacOS X to internal beta testers, according to several readers.

In an email to testers, the company announced the latest version uses an OS X-only installer, application sensitivity to correct time/day settings, lack of support of USB and serial modems, and little support for tunneling.



Dear Testers,



The AOL Mac Beta Team is proud to announce that the much anticipated AOL for

Mac OS X Beta software is now available for downloading from the new AOL for

Mac OS X Beta area.  This new area is accessible from Keyword Beta.



Please be aware that in order to use this software, you must have the final

release version of Mac OS X (4K78).  Be sure to check the System Requirements

posted in the AOL for Mac OS X Beta area for more information.



As always, please check the Known Issues before filing bug reports.



Thanks for testing, and enjoy this exciting, new software!

AOL Mac Beta Team



Installation Notes:



1. Installer must be launched from within Mac OS X.  It does not run under OS 

8.x/9.x.  Your "classic" AOL software may attempt to run the new installer 

immediately after download is complete.  If you are running "classic" AOL 

software under Mac OS X (under the "Classic Environment"), the installer 

should force the old AOL (and the Classic Environment) to quid during 

install.  If you are using "classic" AOL software in a true OS 8.x/9.x 

environment, take note as to which folder the installer downloaded into, 

restart your computer into Mac OS X, and then manually launch the installer.



2. Before installing AOL for Mac OS X, please check your date & time settings 

in System Preferences to make sure you are set to the correct date.  If the 

date is set to a "past date" (or any date & time prior to 4/12/01 @ 1:20 PM), 

the AOL software will keep on forgetting your screen name.



3. Installer will pause while it is waiting for other applications to quit.  

This pause may take anywhere from a few seconds to a full minute, depending 

upon the speed of the computer and number of applications already running.



4. AOL for Mac OS X can only connect to AOL via methods supported by Mac OS X 

itself.  Serial or USB modems which the OS does not recognize cannot be used 

by AOL.



5. The dialing process used by AOL for Mac OS X is still very new and rough.  

"No dialtone" situations are not recognized at all (dialer keeps on trying).  

Busy signals and unexpected disconnects are not handled gracefully, so there 

may be a delay before you are able to sign back on to AOL.



6. Tunneling is not yet implemented.  This means many members connecting via 

TCP/IP (ISP / Ethernet / Broadband) may hang at connecting to 

mac3.proxy.aol.com and will not be able to use the internal browser most of 

the time (it may work occasionally.)  We are working on getting tunneling 

functional as soon as possible.  In the meantime, if you can connect to AOL 

via TCP/IP, cannot get to the web using the built-in browser, but the stand 

alone Internet Explorer which came with Mac OS X works properly, please file 

a bug report and let us know you need tunneling.  To make this easier, we 

created "Need Tunneling" as a Type of Error in the Bug Report form.

by MacNN Staff

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Comments

0

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0

04/12, 08:36pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Who says it's 6!?!?!?

THIS IS NOT AOL 6!!!!

I am having trouble installing it (after it installs, and I try to run it, I get a "can't find Main Database" error)

If you Get Info, you'll see - it's AOL 5.0!! :(

0

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0

04/12, 08:45pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL 5.0

I'm running it just fine, installed without a problem. It's AOL 5.0 though, not 6.0. Kinda odd that they wouldn't just go to 6.0 instead of building a 5.0 version for X then 6.0 in carbon. Double the work to me. Why not just build a carbon 6.0 and develop one version that works for both? Oh well...

0

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04/12, 08:56pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL's programmers

AOL's programmers never got past kindergarten, so this is not surprising. They couldn't program their way out of a paper bag.

AOL code:

we=inAPaperBag();
we++;
sendOutForDoughnuts(we);
if (we==haveToPee) {
goToTheBathroom;
}
else {
thinkAboutBuffy;
}
scratchMyCrotch(we);
f***(we);
if (weAreStillInAPaperBag) {
complainAboutApple;
}
pickOurNoses(we);
putOffGettingOutOfTheBagForTwoYears(we);

0

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04/12, 09:27pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Good job AOL

Most important thing is that they are actively supporting OSX. Each time a major app is delivered to OSX the platform gets a little more secure.

0

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04/12, 09:41pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL 5 for Mac OS X

It works great on my TiBook under the Airport/Ethernet connection.
But, what is it called under the process viewer? Looks like it is faster than AOL 5 post-GM running under Classic or native 9.1
STILL, no such AOL 6 on the Mac..even AOL 6 for Windows platform is poorly done.

0

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04/12, 09:52pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
keyword: sucks

AOL sucks, it's the M$ of the web providers. I don't know how the FCC allowed the merger with Time Warner. I feel sorry for those people who have no other choice other then AOL.

0

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04/12, 10:45pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
NDA violated

YOu all should not be BETA TESTER cuz the agreement is not to disclose the release or anything about AOL for X.. this person who sent this info to macnn should be purged from beta testing..

SHUT UP and Wait for public release of AOL

0

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0

04/12, 10:48pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL beta

Wow, that beta testing program I've been in finally pays off for something...

Got AOL running on my iMac DV, and it looks pretty good. Seems as fast as if not faster than 5.0 running on 9.1, and most of the features work (at least in my *very* limited testing thus far). I was just thinking earlier today that if I could only get my AOL mail on X some other way, I wouldn't ever have to use Internet Explorer (OmniWeb won't work with AOL's wed-based mail reader for some reason)... looks like it's bye-bye IE... :-D

0

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04/12, 11:42pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Wanted to see what it loo

I wanted to see how it looked, so I used a friends account. This AOL 5.0 for OS X is faster than the 9.1 version. But its still slow as molasses. Why it forces you to quit all apps to install I will never know. The interface is the SAME as the classic version. AOL should just stop trying.

0

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04/13, 12:00am | report spam | close Reply | delete
NDA violated

YOu all should not be BETA TESTER cuz the agreement is not to disclose the release or anything about AOL for X.. this person who sent this info to macnn should be purged from beta testing..

SHUT UP and Wait for public release of AOL

0

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0

04/13, 12:22am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Good taste violated

Whoever's complaining about "NDA violated" should learn to spell and use proper grammar.

0

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0

04/13, 12:25am | report spam | close Reply | delete
For the sake of all thing

Why is it in technical things that when someone disagrees with your stance on something, they're inherently retarded?

Believe it or not, AOL can be somewhat useful for forums etc. For example, some people in the Springsteen forum helped me score third row seats to a show when the tickets went on sale. AOL paid for itself then and there. When you use the BYOA plan, it only costs about $10 a month, which isn't so horrible. Would I argue that AOL is the best net access? h*** no. Would I argue that it has some uses? h*** yes.

Apparently, since I keep a seldom-used AOL account, I'm unqualified to be running X. s***, guess I shouldn't have started using the DPs of X, the alphas of OS 8, etc. due to my own stupidity.

Pardon me while I bow to your shockingly clear wisdom.

You're right about one thing: the question is stupid.

0

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04/13, 12:26am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Why, indeed!

Look, you mindless moron AOL has a HUGE market share out there just waiting to be married to OS X. AOL's propitiatory methods and slowness aside, it can be fairly stated that it doesn't get much simpler to use and understand then AOL for the novice and wedded users alike. OS X is also very user friendly as well, so why not help bring the two together ASAP, if only to bring more folks over to the Mac platform. It's a WIN, WIN for us all.

0

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04/13, 12:31am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Does AOL still use modems

Does AOL still use modems or do they have DSL/Cable Modems available? I just have to laugh at people still using modems. God, how can you guys deal with the slooooowwwness?

0

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04/13, 12:47am | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL and Apple

Most of AOL's code for at least the first few versions were actually Apple's, if you noticed AppleLink was the same interface as AOL's.

0

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04/13, 01:49am | report spam | close Reply | delete
get over it

People who have a chip on their shoulder about AOL completely miss the point and should get over themselves. The Macintosh made the computer accessible to ordinary people by being user-friendly. AOL made the internet accessible to ordinary people for the same reason. Indeed, I started using AOL years ago because it was both user- and Mac-friendly. No, it isn't the most sophisticated software, and it is flawed (what isn't?), but it also has advantages. Either way, why put it down when its reason for success is the same as the Mac's?

0

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04/13, 02:29am | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL

Yeah, AOL does suck in some regards, but it is AMAZING in others...If you don't have anything nice to say - GO AWAY.

0

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04/13, 02:36am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Why not AOL...

never mind the "retarded" BS, many of us have come to AOL from many directions for many reasons, from early portability world wide to maybe even being an eWorld Beta tester right on thru to its absorption by AOL... Our backrounds vary from the completely newbie to mainframe users, builders, to ISP geeks, dealing with Cisco, Sun, all the big stuff all day who just want to relax and wander.. lighten up! We live in a diverse eWorld, mmm, wouldn't the eWorld layout go well with OSX!? The sooner we can give constructive feedback to AOL, the better they can smooth the rough edges... As far as it being 5.x... if you pay attention, I believe the 5.0 browser appears as Mozilla 4.x to the world... that can all change once OSX/AOL is rolling... Dive in, have a ball...

0

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04/13, 03:07am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Wanted to see what it loo

I wanted to see how it looked, so I used a friends account. This AOL 5.0 for OS X is faster than the 9.1 version. But its still slow as molasses. Why it forces you to quit all apps to install I will never know. The interface is the SAME as the classic version. AOL should just stop trying.

0

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04/13, 03:16am | report spam | close Reply | delete
re: Why.

I use AOL for one reason and one reason only. Here in the UK they're the only service provider that can supply a reliable unmetered dial-up (dsl and cable are not an option atm where I live) that doesn't time out every 2 hours. If I had a choice I'd dump 'em in a heartbeat ;)

FWIW I've been on-line for longer than most (I was a regular BBS user back in the mid-eighties) and I share your dislike for AOL. I don't, however, appreciate the narrow-minded bigots who assume that only lamers use AOL's service (not suggesting that you fit the profile - just a little tired of explaining myself).

0

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04/13, 04:24am | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL was contracted by ?

The reason AOL used Applelink was it was first and foremost created for the Macintosh. During the time period when AOL was launched, it was initially a Mac only program that eventually spawned itself into a DOS and eventually Windows versions.

Reading Apple Confidential by Owen W. Linzmayer on pages 115-120 tells the story. Apple originally worked with GE (who made GEnie) for AppleLink (which was an internal Apple-only version for it's workers) and later with a company called Quantum that had made services for Commodore 64 (QuantumLink). Apple and them developed what would initially be known as AppleLink Personal Edition for Macintosh (for the rest of us), and later after Apple and Quantum quarreled, Quantum changed their corporate name to "America Online". Irony strikes it, but Apple licensed the America Online technology for the making of... ::drumroll:: eWorld. ;) Gil Amelio would kill eWorld on March 1, 1996. March 31, 1997 Apple killed off the internal GE-based AppleLink for good.

0

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04/13, 06:32am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Re: NDA violated

For the most part I agree with sticking with NDA policies but with AOL....???? c'mon, sign this NDA and don't tell anyone we are going to take a s***. we all know they are going to take a s*** and call it AOL 5.
NDAs do not and should not extend to s***.

0

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04/13, 06:34am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Why do I use AOL?

As another long-time net user (started in the early 90s) and semi-pro Mac techie who uses AOL, I'd also point out the single combination of features that makes AOL the only ISP for me:

1) Unmetered access here in the UK. There is no other ISP that doesn't either limit your connection time on the unmetered plans or give you constant engaged tones. Only AOL is big enough to provide enough lines that when they rolled out freephone access the whole system didn't grind to a halt.

2) International access. As someone who travells for business for as much as half of each year, I want to be able to read my email and surf using a local number dialled from my hotel, rather than pay for an international call to my ISP back home. I know other ISPs offer international service, but most are US based, and most think that "international" means the US and Europe. I can get a local AOL number anywhere in Europe, Japan, Korea, Singapore and... well even the US. For me, that's enough to keep using AOL for as long as I keep travelling.

0

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04/13, 07:20am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Why AO h*** ?

Cheers to all who have had to defend AOL. I hate it too, but it's a necessary and convenient evil. Unlike the 12 year olds on this board, I realise that there are places in the world where you can't stay at home and make your Mum get a cable modem... anyway, you guys are way off topic, and there is already a discussion of a similar nature here: http://forums.macnn.com/cgi-bin/Forum37/HTML/000030.html

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04/13, 07:43am | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL for OS X

does any body can send me the OS X version of AOL at billou@mac-fr.org please ??

thank you very much

billou

0

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04/13, 08:42am | report spam | close Reply | delete
MISSING THE POINT!

Why is everyone missing the point here? Who in their RIGHT minds would even THINK that AOL would be one of the first companies to release OS X versions of their software (AOL & AIM). I think its a VERY big deal that AOL has done this and my hats are off to them. Their service may not be the greatest, but hey, its OBVIOUS they are still behind the mac community 100%. Microsoft Office not till Fall? Adobe Photoshop probably not till LATE fall if not next year? Give AOL some credit people!

0

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04/13, 08:57am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Because

I still have an AOL account but I very seldom use it. The reason why I keep it is because so when my cable modem goes off line I can get on to check email etc. Just because we use AOL does not mean that we are some kind of redneck hillbilly. I do apologize for you ignorance and you attitude I feel sorry for your family.

0

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04/13, 09:58am | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL

I hate AOL as much as the next person, but the truth of the matter is that it's very popular, and having it for OS X only makes one more reason for some people to choose Mac. You don't have to like it, but if it helps build the acceptance of OS X and more importantly Macintosh, then I'll bite my lip and keep my mouth shut.

0

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04/13, 10:01am | report spam | close Reply | delete
At least it works

yes, it's the same old tired 5.0. Two things raised an eyebrow.

It installed an internet library with "(Carbon)" in its name.

The Mailbox window is taken from 6.0. You can sort by Name, Subject and Type, as well as the default Send Date.

Same old crappy software, but at least it works.

0

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04/13, 10:16am | report spam | close Reply | delete
any FTP for having it ?

i'm beta tester for aol France and beta keyword (or betamac5) do not give us the beta for os x :(

0

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04/13, 11:27am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Routing?

If you run AOL over a modem under Mac OS X, can you still set up your Mac to forward network traffic from other computers connected to it via Ethernet or AirPort?

Right now, my Mac is set to dial into my ISP over PPP, and I've got my AirPorted iBook and my Ethernetted PC both sharing the connection (via some help I found online). Will this be possible with AOL under OS X? (The OS 9 AOL won't do this; I'm hoping the OS X version is better-behaved.)

0

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04/13, 11:27am | report spam | close Reply | delete
Routing?

If you run AOL over a modem under Mac OS X, can you still set up your Mac to forward network traffic from other computers connected to it via Ethernet or AirPort?

Right now, my Mac is set to dial into my ISP over PPP, and I've got my AirPorted iBook and my Ethernetted PC both sharing the connection (via some help I found online). Will this be possible with AOL under OS X? (The OS 9 AOL won't do this; I'm hoping the OS X version is better-behaved.)

0

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04/13, 12:20pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Good taste violated

4/13/01, 12:22 am EDT
Whoever's complaining about "NDA violated" should learn to spell and use proper grammar.

not to mention suck our dicks.

what a pud.

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04/13, 04:57pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Why we use AOL

Someone asked why we use AOL.

Uhm... because of chat rooms? It's the only place a g** guy can go to meet other g** guys. Not to mention the millions of kids out there who want to talk to kids their age and the millions of Single Mommies looking to meet their future X-husband.

That is what makes AOL so popular you dolt. So right on AOL, thanks for Supporting X, I can get back to finding a nice guy to date and bring home to mommy.

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04/13, 09:36pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
Doesn't work on 10.0.1

Anyone have got it to work with 4L13? I've installed AOL for OS X but it would quit out half way up the splash screen with a message box.

Looked like it only likes the slow 10.0.0 version...

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04/15, 03:35am | report spam | close Reply | delete
AOL

Will someone please send AOL for OS X to me at RalphSegal@aol.com. Thanks a lot for your help. Have a great day.

0

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04/15, 06:17pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
IM error

First off, the only issue i'm having with AOL 5.0 for OSX beta is that when i initiate an IM, when the person responds it opens a second IM, or if i send a second message it will open a second IM. After that it will use that second IM window fine. Other than that it's been smooth sailing.

Second, granted this is an open forum, but to berate people that are using AOL because you feel it makes you a bigger man or seem more intelligent... seems kinda pointless. I personally have worked for apple, and I've been an AOL user since 1991 even before it was actually AOL. I refuse to give up my e-mail address for any reason. Honestly i do not understand how using AOL makes a person stupid, or less of a human. Fact of the matter is that Apple is building itself around the internet. One of the most popular ways that people find to get on the internet is AOL. I use mediaone, which is actually AT&T in my area for access to the internet, but i still use IM. It's more effective for me to use one program that does both my e-mail and my messaging than to use two. AOL fits that bill perfectly for me, and i don't have to try and get over 100 people to try to remember a new e-mail address every time i move. No matter where i am in the world my e-mail is available, and i don't have to set up some odd ball e-mail client. My personal list of friends pops up on any mac, or PC machine that connects to the internet and there is hardly ever any difficulties doing so. The fact that they are working on supporting OSX so quickly is another reason that i feel anyone that berates AOL is just trying to take OSX back a step. Apple isn't your personal company. It never has been. It never will be. The only way that Apple will continue to be the company it is, is by building alliances with other large companies, or ones that offer great ideas.

In short, if you don't like AOL then don't use it, but don't try and act like you are a bigger man than someone that uses it. Especially not here. Act your age not your shoe size, honestly

0

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04/15, 06:40pm | report spam | close Reply | delete
RE: 10.0.1 issues

I installed AOL beta right before i installed 10.0.1 After installing it, i had the same issue. But after a reboot it worked fine. I might think about running the software updater again, or try re-installing AOL beta. Also i have prebound OSX prior to all this. You might try running the pre-binding and then trying it again.

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AOL releases AOL 5 beta for OS X to testers

updated 08:20 pm EDT, Thu April 12, 2001

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