It's happening - AOL jumps into free e-mail business - Page 3

Javier · 13 May 2005, 11:36 PM

I also can log without installing AIM, using my old AIM screen name. But two questions remain:

1. How to verify what is the maximum storage quota available? I know how much space I am using, but I can't find a place where the total space available is displayed.

2. What name have the IMAP server? They comment this new webmail will have IMAP access (what about SMTP?), but, I cannot find, again, any place where this information is available.

Two days ago, with the same user interface and functionality, the FAQ stated there was not any other access than webmail system (http://beta.aol.com/projects/aimmail...?loc=3#readerq) and that the quota was 250 MB (look at http://m04.webmail.aol.com/Help/deta...receiving.aspx). This latest information have changed to 2 GB at the FAQ (http://beta.aol.com/projects/aimmail...ml?loc=3#sizeq).

The problem using Firefox 1.0.4 (resetting the application) have dissappeared, fortunately. But occassionally, using the webmail an error appears reporting not being able to access some strange help page file (http://m04.webmail.aol.com/help.aspx).

**ReuvenNY** · 13 May 2005, 11:56 PM

I loged in, saw a HUGE "Low mortgage rates" colorful, annoying ad, and made an instant decision: not for me!
Actually it reminded me why 10 years ago I left AOL, never to return...

Javier · 14 May 2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ReuvenNY
I loged in, saw a HUGE "Low mortgage rates" colorful, annoying ad, and made an instant decision: not for me!
Actually it reminded me why 10 years ago I left AOL, never to return...

Fortunately, all these adds are clearly traceable: I do not see any of them just modifying my hosts file (Windows) or using AdBlock with Firefox. In my case, all add space is just white space.

xmailer · 14 May 2005, 12:17 AM

Extremely slow with my dialup connection, especially the compose window, which seemed like it took about 5 minutes to fully open. Rather sparse features and options. About the only thing "good" about it is the short, simple domain name. What a waste of a "good" domain name.

In short, I'm highly unimpressed. But then, it is AOL, so what did I expect?

rmns2bseen · 14 May 2005, 12:26 AM

on a non-technical note, it is very difficult to open an account with a username that's not already taken, or without having to append a glob of numbers at the end. Every conceivable permutation of my real name-- which is not very common-- is taken already, and I don't want to use the AIM ID I chose years ago. I'm picky about that sort of thing

(edit)--and of course I know it's understandable given the size of AOL and the length of time it's been around. Still... did try it though, and xmailer is right: dial-up users, make yourself a sandwich and be prepared to wait

dmehus · 14 May 2005, 02:35 AM

You can log-in without installing AIM 5.9. Simply go to:

http://beta-aim.webmail.aol.com/, which will redirect you to the appropriate mail server. In my case, it's server 3.

Cheers,
Doug

xmailer · 14 May 2005, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dmehus
You can log-in without installing AIM 5.9. Simply go to:

http://beta-aim.webmail.aol.com/, which will redirect you to the appropriate mail server. In my case, it's server 3.

Cheers,
Doug

I was able to login at http://mail.aol.com/ , a link provided by pyedka in an earlier post in this thread, which is somewhat shorter and easier to remember. For anyone who actually wants to remember it, that is.

I'm not sure, but I think the only "need" for the AIM messenger is/was to receive some kind of initial alert from them when the beta email was "ready"...although it appears to be far from ready for serious use at this point.

war17 · 14 May 2005, 03:15 AM

Thanks dmehus and xmailer for the link. Has anyone got IMAP to work?

mike1977 · 14 May 2005, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rmns2bseen
on a non-technical note, it is very difficult to open an account with a username that's not already taken, or without having to append a glob of numbers at the end. Every conceivable permutation of my real name-- which is not very common-- is taken already, and I don't want to use the AIM ID I chose years ago. I'm picky about that sort of thing (edit)--and of course I know it's understandable given the size of AOL and the length of time it's been around. Still... did try it though, and xmailer is right: dial-up users, make yourself a sandwich and be prepared to wait

I know. There really needs to be an option to totally close the user names across the AOL and Netscape network and put it in a waiting period for someone else to register at some point in the future.. I don't need 2 mailboxes for each screen name (@aim.com and the same thing @netscape.net)

usf · 14 May 2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by war17
Thanks dmehus and xmailer for the link. Has anyone got IMAP to work?

I do not suppose it supports imap
click below link and that state " Can I access AIM Mail using an email reader such as microsoft outlook".
It replys AIM mail is web-based only.

http://beta.aol.com/projects/aimmail/index.html?loc=3

kaptitsky · 14 May 2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by usf
I do not suppose it supports imap
[/url]

In previous postings, the page where it says IMAP access is supported is very clear:

http://www.aim.com/aim_mail.adp

Quote:

IMAP access: Users can get their AIM Mail through their favorite email application including MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Mac and Eudora.

war17 · 14 May 2005, 11:15 AM

Yes, I saw the FAQ answer that AIM Mail does not work with Outlook. I also saw the promised features list, which includes IMAP. Maybe it is

I tried to get into the beta forum to see what users have to say about IMAP. I cannot get into the forum.

Webgenie · 15 May 2005, 12:31 PM

In order to be informed when IMAP is available, you can subscribe to the feed for this blog. They also have an alert system with these AOL blogs, but I like the feed better.

war17 · 15 May 2005, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the blog link. Blogger jbuerti (an AOL employee) wrote, "As far as I know, we are still planning on offering IMAP access, although apparently it is not switched on yet... here's a quote from a recent eWeek article about AIM Mail:
'AOL already is planning additional features for the full launch of AIM Mail. The service will support the IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) standard so that users can access their AIM Mail accounts from other e-mail clients, Ben-Yoseph said."

So IMAP is coming, just don't know when.

miley · 17 May 2005, 03:38 PM

Aim webmail is the only site that I've found that crashes Firefox -- both on my home mac and my work windows machine. Anyone else seeing this? Also, I'm astounded at how slow it is. I can't imagine they have that many users.

13 May 2005, 11:36 PM	#31
Javier Master of the @ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 1,344	Two questions I also can log without installing AIM, using my old AIM screen name. But two questions remain: 1. How to verify what is the maximum storage quota available? I know how much space I am using, but I can't find a place where the total space available is displayed. 2. What name have the IMAP server? They comment this new webmail will have IMAP access (what about SMTP?), but, I cannot find, again, any place where this information is available. Two days ago, with the same user interface and functionality, the FAQ stated there was not any other access than webmail system (http://beta.aol.com/projects/aimmail...?loc=3#readerq) and that the quota was 250 MB (look at http://m04.webmail.aol.com/Help/deta...receiving.aspx). This latest information have changed to 2 GB at the FAQ (http://beta.aol.com/projects/aimmail...ml?loc=3#sizeq). The problem using Firefox 1.0.4 (resetting the application) have dissappeared, fortunately. But occassionally, using the webmail an error appears reporting not being able to access some strange help page file (http://m04.webmail.aol.com/help.aspx). Last edited by Javier : 14 May 2005 at 12:31 AM.

14 May 2005, 12:26 AM	#35
rmns2bseen Master of the @ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,426	on a non-technical note, it is very difficult to open an account with a username that's not already taken, or without having to append a glob of numbers at the end. Every conceivable permutation of my real name-- which is not very common-- is taken already, and I don't want to use the AIM ID I chose years ago. I'm picky about that sort of thing (edit)--and of course I know it's understandable given the size of AOL and the length of time it's been around. Still... did try it though, and xmailer is right: dial-up users, make yourself a sandwich and be prepared to wait Last edited by rmns2bseen : 14 May 2005 at 12:43 AM.

17 May 2005, 03:38 PM	#45
miley Essential Contributor Join Date: May 2004 Location: California Posts: 307	has anyone successfully used on Firefox? Aim webmail is the only site that I've found that crashes Firefox -- both on my home mac and my work windows machine. Anyone else seeing this? Also, I'm astounded at how slow it is. I can't imagine they have that many users.

13 May 2005, 11:56 PM	#32
ReuvenNY Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York Posts: 4,272	I loged in, saw a HUGE "Low mortgage rates" colorful, annoying ad, and made an instant decision: not for me! Actually it reminded me why 10 years ago I left AOL, never to return...

14 May 2005, 12:17 AM	#34
xmailer Intergalactic Postmaster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: USA Posts: 5,485	Extremely slow with my dialup connection, especially the compose window, which seemed like it took about 5 minutes to fully open. Rather sparse features and options. About the only thing "good" about it is the short, simple domain name. What a waste of a "good" domain name. In short, I'm highly unimpressed. But then, it is AOL, so what did I expect?

14 May 2005, 02:35 AM	#36
dmehus Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8	You can log-in without installing AIM 5.9. Simply go to: http://beta-aim.webmail.aol.com/, which will redirect you to the appropriate mail server. In my case, it's server 3. Cheers, Doug

14 May 2005, 03:15 AM	#38
war17 The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California Posts: 3,452	Thanks dmehus and xmailer for the link. Has anyone got IMAP to work?

14 May 2005, 11:15 AM	#42
war17 The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California Posts: 3,452	Yes, I saw the FAQ answer that AIM Mail does not work with Outlook. I also saw the promised features list, which includes IMAP. Maybe it is I tried to get into the beta forum to see what users have to say about IMAP. I cannot get into the forum.

15 May 2005, 12:31 PM	#43
Webgenie Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: CA USA Posts: 151	In order to be informed when IMAP is available, you can subscribe to the feed for this blog. They also have an alert system with these AOL blogs, but I like the feed better.

15 May 2005, 01:01 PM	#44
war17 The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: California Posts: 3,452	Thanks for the blog link. Blogger jbuerti (an AOL employee) wrote, "As far as I know, we are still planning on offering IMAP access, although apparently it is not switched on yet... here's a quote from a recent eWeek article about AIM Mail: 'AOL already is planning additional features for the full launch of AIM Mail. The service will support the IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) standard so that users can access their AIM Mail accounts from other e-mail clients, Ben-Yoseph said." So IMAP is coming, just don't know when.