14 DAY TRIAL // In an era when the free access to information is the capital policy for most web services providers, there are still some portals which require a subscription for accessing their contents. However, in a daring move, one of the most important companies still applying this system, and we're talking about AOL, has decided to offer unrestricted access to all the contents available on the site.
This initiative has the purpose of re-launching the competition against Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, especially after the significant drop in the number of AOL subscribers, due to the defections towards other DSL or broadband providers. Although it's still the most important Internet provider in the US, the number of subscribers has fallen to 22 millions from 26 millions two years ago. The solution chosen by AOL, that of offering exclusive music concerts and videos, movie trailers, news clips and sports highlights, hasn't been as successful as hoped, and that's why Jonathan Miller, chief of AOL, has decided to open wide the gates of AOL towards the world of free Internet.
Practically, by adopting this course of action, AOL will be able to enjoy the same benefits as its competitors. And AOL will also provide something quite original, its music and video offers, which could bring an even greater number of visitors.
And in order to make sure this happens, AOL also has replaced its proprietary programming language with the Web language HTML and embedded computer code on its pages so they will be called up by search engines. However, some services, as parental controls and AOL email addresses will continue to be available only for subscribers
"It's not going to be easy for AOL to keep up with Yahoo and MSN," says JupiterResearch analyst David Card. But, "It's a smart strategy."
In order to view AOL's offer, go to http://startpage.aol.com/beta.adp