In 1989 a small company named Quantum Computer Services, changed its name to America Online (eventually becoming, AOL). The name change would be the beginning of a meteoric rise as an Internet service provider. By the mid-1990's America Online would surpass Genie, Prodigy and CompuServe to become the number one Internet service provider in the world. At one time America Online is said to have had 30 million customers.
However, nothing that gets that big can sustain its dominance forever. It declined as other service providers began to utilize the same technology and advance on the things that America Online brought into the computer room. With all the changes that have been made in the last 16 years AOL still has distinct advantages over other ISPs.
Creating community
America Online was the first with Buddy and chat technology allowing people from across the world to have private space in order to share thoughts on topics ranging from political issues to personal hobbies. The success of the community provided by chat rooms soon led them to invest in instant messaging technology with separated them from many ISPs over a course of several years. Only when Yahoo and MSN messenger began to broadcast their instant message ability did AOL lose its hold on the community they created connecting strangers by topic and by room. AOL's current buddy list and AIM system is still one of the easiest for non-technical people to use quickly and has a number of amenities other chat sites do not. For being a part of an online community, nothing beats AOL.
Interchangeable accounts
When AOL began its service, the basic fee was $19.95. As time went by, it rose to a high of $25.95. Many people continued to be willing to pay the high price for AOL, in part because of its ability to have interchangeable accounts. For people who want a private e-mail address, a business e-mail address or have six people in their family AOL is a great value. It offers several accounts, all for one price. Not only do they offer multiple screen names, they also give you the ability within their software to change from one account to the other and see if there is mail in one account from the other. This easy-to-use interchangeable system allows people to have privacy and flexibility when it comes to e-mail addresses. AOL has since reduced its fee back to $9.95 to keep up with the current Internet market but you still get seven e-mail accounts for that low price.
Specialty services
AOL was a pioneer in parenting controls and helping monitor which web sites AOL can access. That specialty program has combined with others to create a unique community for every member of AOL. AOL has web sites that cater to gay and lesbian clientele, African-American clientele and in Spanish. They have AOL Red for kids, and specially design web pages by culture, topic and type. The specialty services allow people to create an individualized Web browser to meet their needs.
AOL is a company that will both rise and fall as the Internet service provider market changes. For value, individuality and flexibility it is still one of the best deals on the market.
You Re Still The One Lyrics
I wasn't trying to be inspired. I was trying to survive - literally trying to spare my own life. I knew if I didn't hold the door closed then the knife in the hands of the other person would be slashing at my flesh.
Trapped in the back room of the house, nowhere else to run, all my weight pressed against wood, knowing the other person wouldn't give up. That was when it happened.
Inspiration intervened.
'Put your coat on and let them in,' a small voice inside me whispered.
I looked at my coat hanging on the peg, a big thick skiing jacket. Would it protect me?
Maybe.
I unhooked it as I rested as much of my weight as I could against the door. Slipping it over my shoulders the small voice continued. 'Now let them in a bit at a time. A crack in the door at first, then let it open. When you feel it's right, pull them inside.'
It sounded bizarre to me, to allow someone attacking me to come beyond the piece of wood separating us, but that's exactly what I did, disarming them and then holding them until it was safe to let go.
You could argue that the small voice in my mind was the voice of common sense. You might call it intuition, spirit guides, God, or just plain crazy!
I've come to think of it as the voice of inspiration. Back then the voice of inspiration came as a surprise. Today, it's more of a friend.
The example I've given you may have saved my life, but since then it's helped me build and shape my life.
As I said at the beginning, 'Thank God inspiration didn't wait for me,' because I don't think I've necessarily been good at preparing to hear it's wise voice.
Yet inspiration has been with me, nudging, suggesting and playing around until I follow it's wisdom, change my reality and look back and laugh at myself for not following it's guiding force sooner.
Once a man wanted to win the lottery. For weeks he prayed to God and each week when his win failed to materialize, he complained during his prayers.
Then one day God came down and spoke to him. 'Meet me half way,' God's voice boomed. 'At the very least, buy a ticket!!'
And I think this is a little like what Edison meant when he said, 'Genius is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration.'
Inspiration is just the thought, the idea, the guidance. Perspiration is the practical application, the grounding, the making it happen. And when we get this part right, who knows what great things we can create.
Both James Brown & Communitysoul - Neil Fellowes are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Communitysoul - Neil Fellowes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Multi Level Marketing, Writing and Web Development. CommunitySoul takes the holistic approach to life. At it's core lies the commitment to individual's personal development and growth. Best-selling authors, top life coaches and experts contribute. Join the FREE newsletter. Communitysoul - Neil Fellowes's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.
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