MSN Premium v. AOL 9.0 Optimized

[powerdafuture]

So, it's been an exciting year with MSN and AOL. Both are slated for the releases of there new clients in October. I wanted to get this thread going, cause I do this pretty much every year. I wanted to battle off AOL and MSN this year in a 'calmer' way...usually these threads turn into "I hate AOL threads," but that's not what I want to see. I want to see actual feature debates and stuff like that. Don't argue, be nice, keep it On-topic. I am also going to see if I can post some screen shots of MSN in here at a later time.

On that note, let us begin. :D

[Steven]

This thread should be locked on site..

Flame War is inevitable no matter what you say in the start of the thread to "keep it real" or whatever

Seriously... take cover. :wacko:

[freeza]

AOL IS FOR NEWBIES

haha jk

9.0 is pretty cool looking :)

i don't know about MSN. i've got a chance to play around with 9.0, it isn't half bad..

[IlliniPi]

I'm only anticipating bad things out of this thread. :no:

My vote goes to AOL. :)

[powerdafuture]

Yea, there will more than likely be flame ware, but let's TRY not to..

Who all has MSN 9?

[Silencer]

I don't have MSN 9, yet :( Hopefully next week :)

[SimplyPotatoes]

i check out my neighbors AOl since i run a 3mb/1mb cable from RR for a discoun since they RUINED OUR LAWN gj roadrunner/brighthouse and we run a wireless network to friends around the neighborhood so one of my neighbros has aol and i chekc out her 9.0 its pretty cool runs SO MUCH smoother on her crappy 800mhz p3 or w/e she has and i think it looks much nicer blue is so pretty

[aldo]

Who uses either. Seriously :s...

[powerdafuture]

Believe it or not, they are the two most popular ISP's.

[kev64]

AOL 9 is out in October, but MSN 9 is not out until January. :yes:

Edit- Post 666 :devil:

AOL and Microsoft are evil.

J/K :p

Edited September 7, 2003 by kev64

[Jish]

I have never used AOL. The closest I have ever been to AOL was CompuServe v6. I know I do not have the experience with AOL to make a valid statement. But people usually stick with what works. That being the case, my vote goes for MSN9. I like the MSN9 interface, as well as its features. My favorite feature is the pop-up blocker.

[powerdafuture]

I don't believe that's the case kev, MSN will be out toward the end of this year...:)

[JnCoKiLLa]

I must say i have been Using AOL since Version 1...this is the best and most stable of them all...plus there is a ton of broadband stuff for use to playwith and so...and there is a ton more on the way

[DsnBehind]

They are both crap, but I believe AOL is crappier. (Though, I have not used either for some time.)

[kirk26]

:pacifier: :pacifier: :pacifier:

[empty]

msn 9 :wub:

[plasticparadox]

It's a tie. Really. I don't know why these two services are constantly compared to one another, they're completely different.

AOL is owned by a giant media conglomerate, therefore AOL's content kicks ass. To list a few features:

-radio stations, music videos

-CNN Newspass

-exclusive video clips from movie trailers, TV shows, etc.

MSN is owned by a software company, and it shows with the superior browser. However, it's content is lacking.

Frankly, I gave up using my girlfriend's AOL account (she made a screen name for me ;) ) because I couldn't stand the software. So slow, and buggy. Not to mention most of the front page news stories are written by right-wing fanatics. I still have an account, but I prefer to not use it.

I subscribed to MSN a few months ago, and I'm satisfied. But not floored. I think it's worth the money for the services. Specifically, I like using MSN Photos and Encarta professional. Something that is overlooked frequently is Encarta Plus's magazine archive. You can seriously search the text of lots of magazines that go way back. It's great for research.

So, to wrap it all up, it's a tie. AOL wins for the content, and MSN wins for the software.

[AQUaDeX]

yep, couldn't agree more with plasticparadox (Y)

if ya want content go with AOL (AOL 8.0 Plus is still cool if you don't use the new software features often, most of the services on AOL is web based, which means u get same stuff even if u access them using AOL 7, and without the AOL 9.0 extra bugs)

if ya want a cool looking browser, Encarta Plus, Picture It and a girl voice greeting with your name when signing in go with MSN Premium

if you think you are l33ter than anyone else and about to try to flame in this thread, no AOL nor MSN for you!! and go sit in a corner :whistle:

;)

Edited September 8, 2003 by AquaDex

[plasticparadox]

Did someone mention MSN 9 screenshots? (Don't you think NeoWin and MSN 9 look good together? :yes: )

[John Veteran]

:o *emails msn beta team* :ninja:

[plasticparadox]

I'd guess that they're aware that the beta has been leaked.. The installer is all over the web already.

[AQUaDeX]

btw, another interesting screenshot for all you screenie freaks :p

......

MSN on keywords

[John Veteran]

:o where'd you find that?

[AQUaDeX]

  gameguy said:

:o where'd you find that?

Mmm if you meant my screenie try CTRL+K (It's shortcut for Keywords on AOL, I use AOL as well :) )

Remember MSN is always trying to steal AOL customers :unsure:

[powerdafuture]

MSN needs to incorporate Keywords into it's software more...it doesn't do it enough...:(

[Paulstorm]

  plasticparadox said:

AOL is owned by a giant media conglomerate, therefore AOL's content kicks ass. To list a few features:

-radio stations, music videos

-CNN Newspass

-exclusive video clips from movie trailers, TV shows, etc.

<snip>

So, to wrap it all up, it's a tie. AOL wins for the content, and MSN wins for the software.

While surely AOL will continue to have superior content, MSN is making a decent push in the areas you outlined as AOL having the advantage.

-MSN has the new MSN Radio Plus, and will be introducing a new music video site.

-MSNBC.com is being revamped, and will contain a lot more streaming video for subscribers to MSN.

-MSN is working on gathering all of the above content, and adding exclusive content from partners (anyone that isn't associated with AOLTW?) from movies, tv shows, and what not into a new broadband video "portal" codenamed "Primetime". The design for this portal is reportedly pretty interesting and unique. A take on what video on the web should be.

(related: MSNBC.com hired a new "Streaming Media Evangelist" today...or announced rather. They'll be stepping up the amount of video bigtime.)

If MSN executes well on all of the above, plasticparadox, would you say that MSN moved ahead of AOL?