Calling all readers who connect via AOL

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:05 pm

Hello

Someone who connects to the Internet via AOL has reported problems getting myTobago.info. They say that our site loads very slowly, experiences frequent time-outs and that the main drop-down menus are missing. The same user has no problems when using Internet Explorer, even on the AOL connection.

I know we have lots of readers and members who use AOL. Is anybody else experiencing similar problems? I would like to evaluate how common this problem is.

AOL is a known problem - in more ways than one. The AOL browser is a modified old version of Internet Explorer and not fully compliant with modern agreed standards. The easiest option for AOL users is to not use the AOL Internet browser, but use your computer's Internet Explorer browser instead. To use Internet Explorer while in AOL, minimize your AOL browser by clicking on the minus button in the upper right-hand corner of your screen, then locate the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop, which looks like a large, blue "e." Double click on it to open it, then use it to access the PEN Web site. If for some reason you don't have Internet Explorer on your computer you can download it from the Microsoft Web site.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Thu May 17, 2007 2:07 pm

AOL stands for no service whilst you're paying!

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu May 17, 2007 2:08 pm

Stop it, Bude Boy - I'm trying to be neutral here and not let my personal feelings show and you aren't helping.

Gill M · Post by **Gill M** » Thu May 17, 2007 5:12 pm

Hi Steve

Yes, I also have the dreaded AOL and have been suffering from being "Timed Out" Error 504 (Gateway Timeout).

IF (and a big IF) an AOL member can actually get on the forum the opening page is rubbish with the headers being right at the bottom of the page.

I managed to click on one of my old favourites links and that worked - until I tried to reply you on this thread and again was timed out. This time I'm using Internet Explorer and all seems to be OK apart from your picture is now missing!!!

I'll e mail you a copy of what the format looks like IF you can get through on AOL.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu May 17, 2007 5:27 pm

Hi Gill

Thanks. I've been doing some research and it seems to be affecting a huge number of websites. However, the common denominator is forums. Are you getting the same problems with the normal pages of myTobago - or is it just affecting the forum?

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:07 pm

Hi Gill - and all other users who have the misfortune to be connecting to the Internet via AOL.

Google lists 15,300 web pages that include "AOL" and "gateway timeout", so this is hardly something new. However, nobody seems to have a clear idea what or why it is happening.

Can somebody on AOL who is affected by this problem advise me whether it makes any difference whether they are logged in or not. If one theory is correct, the site might load without problems when the user is not logged in - but will immediately start playing up when they do log in.

It would be interesting to get to the bottom of this.

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:08 pm

Hey Steve,

Now that you're getting older do you notice you have a tendency to repeat yourself

Bill B

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:13 pm

Hi Bill

Possibly, but the problem seems to be more one of blindness 'cos I can't see what/where you are refering to.

Bill B · Post by **Bill B** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:19 pm

Steve,

Scroll up. You made two identical posts to Gill - one at 5:27 and one at 6:52. Now that you will be joining us in the 60 plus group you'll find it happening more and more often.

Bill

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:26 pm

Bill - like I said, going blind.

How weird! I can't figure how that happened, given the 90 minute difference in time between the posts. My browser clearly re-posted from cache. I must have hit the back button and then Submit, but I can't remember anything. Now I KNOW I'm going mad.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:41 pm

Yu onor,Ah ress ma Case

Michelle C · Post by **Michelle C** » Thu May 17, 2007 7:45 pm

Hi Steve,

I am with AOL and haven't experienced any problems although I have only been with them a three or four weeks.

Michelle

Marc Jones · Post by **Marc Jones** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:24 pm

Michelle C wrote:Hi Steve,

I am with AOL and haven't experienced any problems although I have only been with them a three or four weeks.

Michelle

Just don't try to remove their software if you are a PC user...

Gill M · Post by **Gill M** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:50 am

Hi Steve

In answer to your question.

Using AOL browser bar JUST EVERYTHING on the forum IS SLOW and that's if you don't get timed out. I tried to log on via AOL but got fed up waiting!

I then swopped to Internet Explorer and whether I logged in or not ALL PAGES loaded quickly.

Incidentally, I do have Norton Internet Security 2007 too

I've mailed you the links to the two front pages of the forum both from AOL and Internet Explorer - hope this helps.

My Dell PC is nearly 5 years old so has had quite a few upgrades including Broadband - maybe something is in a tangle?

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:09 pm

Hi Gill

Thanks. The screen dump you sent me totally illustrated the arrogance of AOL and their contempt for customers.

As you know, our pages have two banners showing Google sponsored adverts (every time somebody clicks on an advert, I receive a small commission, helping to fund the site). Well, when a user connects, the page connects to the user's local Google server and serves up relevent advertisements. The Google adverts on the page dump you sent to me were all in Japanese. So, your connection was via Japan. No wonder the pages were slow.

AOL use a load-balancing system, so you never know which server you're going to connect by. Clearly you are being connected via Japan. The problem is that you can be connected via a different server each time you click for another page, or refresh the current page. In fact that's one of the known problems for AOL users when connecting to forum sites and why they will so often crash out when using online shopping sites. You can experience problems with all sites that require you to log in. Once you've logged in, each page carries a "session cookie" that provides the website with a unique identifier issued when you logged in - so it knows who you are. The AOL system has a problem with these when handling different pages through different servers.

All in all AOL is a total joke and it is just unbelievable that they have become the biggest ISP in the world - all by relying on clever marketing.

Gill M · Post by **Gill M** » Fri May 18, 2007 12:43 pm

Hi Steve

Well, I don't know whether to laugh or cry being connected via Japan

No point in me getting onto AOL Help, either live or by phone, as I just do not understand the Indian dialect and the live help is certainly not what it used to be. AOL are truly gettting an international company!

Yes, I have very occassionally been booted off whilst doing my online shop but luckily my order is still there and is delivered to Surrey rather than Japan!

Guess it's time to stop putting off getting a new PC and a new ISP!!!

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:08 pm

Steve could it be misleading or f...d....t marketing.sting con??????
It would be intresting to try a case against them,however apparently funded by another agency who knows?
David

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:18 pm

I don't think they are deceptive or misleading, David. That's partly the problem. It is their supreme arrogance that rankles. They have managed to capture a huge market by appealing to people who basically know very little about the Internet. We were all first timers once, and as such, the AOL offering DOES have a lot to offer. However, how long are you a newbie? Within months the average user has graduated past the features that attracted them to AOL in the first place.

The problem is that changing provider is not so easy. Marc alluded to the problems of removing the AOL software from your machine. I could totally believe that AOL are spiteful enough to ensure that you can't remove all components and that you then end up having nothing but problems with your new ISP.

Those who have fallen for the sucker marketing are stuck. Stick with AOL, but for heavens sake stop using their browser. Download Firefox or even use Internet Explorer or Opera. In fact, God forbid, even use the dog of the pile (Netscape) in preference. You will be amazed how much more enjoyable your Internet experience is. Sites will suddenly look better, perform better and you will end up achieving so much more.