Moving from AOL isn't always easy, but it's worth it

I am currently helping two clients make the move off of AOL after many long years of being AOL customers. While each client is having a few problems making the adjustment, each has stated that they small issues are worth it to get away from AOL.

There are a few things that you need to get ready for when making the switch from AOL. 

1. There is no easy way to backup your address book and move it over. You can print it out and then manually add each address to your new email program. The best way I have found to do it, though, is to send emails to everyone in your AOL address book with your new email address. Ask for each person to send a reply to your new address. Then, as people reply you can click "add sender to address book."

2. The home page is also a common issue. With AOL you are forced to see whatever AOL wants you to see. With Internet or Firefox, you get to choose the first page that comes up. This is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it throws peopel off because many AOL users have never gone outside of the small number of pages that AOL directs them toward. They don't realize how many more pages there are out there.

3. Email is probably the biggest adjustment. With Outlook Express or almost any other email program, you call the shots. AOL has a pretty good email system, but Outlook Express and Thunderbird are much better because you can tweak them to filter mail, interact with your Intenet system and email directly from links on web pages.

My main advice for people making a switch from AOL is to have them give it a month. Don't panic. After spending some time patiently getting to know the system, you will wonder how you ever stuck with AOL for so long. 

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