Summary: Free software from the largest ISP in the world and owner of Netscape. Costs $4.95 to $23.90 per month to subscribe to the service. Application includes proprietary email and a variety of private services including news, information and shopping. Bundled with older version of Internet Explorer (3.0), but any TCP/IP applications work when online.

Source: http://www.aol.com, or CDs in the mail, supermarkets, on the beach, etc...

Version: 4.1 (Win-16). The current Win32 version is 6.0.

Installation: Very easy to install from Win-OS2 full screen.

Features: Browserwise, you're stuck with 16-bit versions, which are serviceable for most functions but nobody seems to be updating these days. TCP/IP service allows adding your own browser. AOL forums and chats on many topics include OS/2 groups. NOTE: I recall that PM TCP/IP applications can be made to work with the Win-OS2 connection, but I haven't recalled how.

Problems: None for most web sites. Need to add Netscape 4.08 (16-bit) to get most modern web capabilities. With Netscape, needs more than 32 megs of RAM. 8 meg download from http://www.netscape.com

Recommendation: Great way to get comprehensive Internet service while learning to strike out on your own. We need more research on use of PM TCP/IP programs with AOL.

SCOUG, Warp Expo West, and Warpfest are trademarks of the Southern California OS/2 User Group. OS/2, Workplace Shell, and IBM are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.