Is 8 enough?

Tis the season for 8. Version 8 that is. By now I’m sure that you are aware that both AOL and MSN have released the 8th upgrade to their software. Just like the Hatfields and McCoys, Obie One and Darth Vader, or the last two people on Survivor; AOL and MSN are locked in a battle of epic proportions for dollars of internet users. Well, maybe it isn’t that serious, but both companies did recently release new versions with new features.
AOL has historically been the training wheels for many internet users, but it seems to be turning into an example of the haves and the have-nots or in this case the broadband and the dialup. For their eighth update AOL revamped many of its’ old features and added some new ones. Among the noticeable revamps is the interface, which has a new design and is also customizable. This will allow you to give it that personal touch. Among the new features is the “companion window”. The companion alerts you of the numbers of emails that is in your account. In addition to email notification, the companion window also serves a one-click access point for your messages and other options. AOL still appears to lack when it comes to battling the avowed enemy of every email account, spam.
For broadband users with a home network, the version upgrade allows for simultaneous logins. Just like many other services, AOL has expanded its video and radio options. For those that dialup, AOL has made an attempt not to leave them behind. The Call Alert which informs users of incoming calls and an option to listen to your voice mail while online, are the noteworthy features for dialup users.
Bill Gates, in his latest move to control the civilized world, has made MSN 8.0 all that AOL lacks. MSN 8.0 has many similar features to AOL 8.0. Instead of having a companion window, MSN has a customizable “dashboard” that serves as a reminder for everything from paying bills to the latest news updates. Where MSN separated itself from AOL is in security and spam filtering. MSN 8.0 has a smart filter that can learn what types of emails that you do not want in your account. You also have the ability to perform searches in your email inbox by senders, recipients, or keyword. The parental control features are also noteworthy. Parents have the option to control both which sites their child can access and with whom they communicate. If they desired, parents could receive detailed weekly activity reports of internet activity. Microsoft also has online versions of production and management software similar to its popular titles.
The difference between AOL and MSN really comes down to how comfortable you are in cyberspace. When you’re ready to take the training wheels off, then try MSN, if not try AOL. If you fall somewhere in between, you could also take a look at Apple or Earthlink.