Re: [cobalt-users] Re: [Cobalt] SMTP vs. AOL

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dan wrote:

> >
> > are you saying that I should be required by law to allow you to run smtp
> > through my dialup accounts?
> >
> > I don't think so.
> 
> At this late date, I don't recall what I was replying to.

I admit it was a rather late reply; I'm still almost 600 messages behind
on this list; I've been incredibly busy.

> I think my point was AOL only wants you to be captured by *their* software.
> I wouldn't have a problem if their software allowed normal SMTP mail, or at
> least allowed their customers to specify a different reply-to address.

AOL is currently setting up SMTP servers which you'll be able to use to
send mail out directly via smtp.  They've finally realized that if they
want to keep customers once they (the customers) become Internet-savvy,
they need to offer the real Internet, and not their own version thereof.

> Every
> other ISP at least allows you to choose your email client.

AOL will soon allow you to use other email clients, or so my sources
tell me.  But they won't document it.  You will have to use their SMTP
servers, though; the server names have been published; I don't remember
where <frown>.

> AOL forces
> customers to be trapped within the AOL window and even breaks functions of
> their version of the IE browser to do so. Try using your IE browser through
> AOL. You'll get signed off after, (I think), 45 minutes. If you use the AOL
> IE browser, no problem. I could hear the outcries if MSN did the same thing
> to anyone using their Netscape browser when signed on to MSN.

AOL is NOT the Internet.  Their self-proclamation that they are the
world's largest ISP to the contrary.  They're an advertiser-supported
content service that uses some Internet protocols and allows you to
access certain parts of the Internet through their service.  If you
don't understand what I mean, then you're confusing the "web" with the
Internet.  The "web" is an incredibly small part of the Internet.

However you CAN have both AOL and the real Internet for the same price
as AOL alone.  Many ISPs (including me) offer dialup service,
nationwide, for $12/month.  Add AOL's "Bring Your Own Access" service at
$9.95/month, and the total is $21.95/month.  Exactly the same price as
AOL alone, and you get the REAL internet.

(Of course we block all port 25 traffic except through our own email
servers as well, because we use Megapop for our national footprint, and
they enforce it.)  But we do allow you to use any email client, and any
return address.

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
nobaloney.net
P. O. Box 52672
Riverside, CA  92517
voice: (909) 787-8589  *  fax: (909) 782-0205