We've made some big changes to the AOL.com homepage recently that represent the start of an evolution of the home page design. In the coming weeks, we will be introducing new features and making changes to address the feedback that we've received from you, our users, since we rolled out the beta test of our new home page back in April.
We are also happy to introduce AOL Homepage Blog as a forum to help us keep you updated on what's new and what's coming soon, and to let you tell us what you think. More importantly, unlike a survey or a "feedback form," this blog helps us establish an ongoing conversation with you. You provide us feedback and we look to respond. Having this dialogue with you is a critical element to help us build the best possible products, and we recognize that not having had one until now was a missed opportunity that we are excited to address.
So the obvious question, why are we changing AOL.com now?
The new AOL.com represents the first major change to the home page design since 2005, when we first began transitioning of all of our products from the traditional AOL "walled garden" to the open Web (Basically, when we stopped charging for subscriptions and made our content free to everyone). Admittedly, the current AOL.com design has some flaws. It represents some outdated design standards, features and thinking. We've learned a lot over the last two years and we're putting that knowledge to use to make our product better.
One of the most important things we've learned over the years is that you have choices. You make the choice to visit AOL.com and we need to work hard to keep you here. And we've spent the last year working to design a new version of AOL.com that's faster, easier to use, more relevant and more customizable to make your online experience better. We hope you think the new AOL.com hits the mark. But if you don't, that's OK too. Please let us know by using this blog. Let us know what you like, what you don't like and what you think we're missing. While we may not be able to respond to every request, we will be reading all of your feedback. And hopefully, we will shed some light on our thought process, and why we do the things we do. All we ask is that you keep your comments constructive and focused on the homepage.
So we're just getting started! We hope that you will check in with us often. We'll be here ...
Cheers,
Lisa
AOL.com Product Lead
P.S. I keep using the word "we" because running AOL.com isn't a one-person operation. There's a small team of talented and passionate people who support the home page. And I'll be introducing you to the team (my friends and colleagues) that works behind the scenes in the coming weeks.
Home > Welcome to the New AOL Homepage Blog!
Jun 10th 2007 10:25PM Welcome to the New AOL Homepage Blog!
By: Lisa Edwards
Jun 10th 2007 10:25PM Welcome to the New AOL Homepage Blog!
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jjablair
Sep 5th 2007, 4:23PM
Why am I having problems with all my e-mails. I cannot reply as I am told script is busy and do I want to cancel. If I stop script I cannot do anything.
Also my system is getting slower and slower. Because I cannot reply to e-mails I am having to resort to another provider. Can you please help.
jjablair
Sep 5th 2007, 4:30PM
I still cannot reply to any of my e-mails as i am told script is busy and loading message will not disappear. I cannot then do anything and system hangs up. I cannot send e-mails to another provider.
I have to use another provider with a fresh message to reply.
jjablair
Sep 5th 2007, 4:31PM
I have tried replying to your e-mail but cannot due to script problems.
I have to use another provider for my e-mails now
starfire1966
Sep 6th 2007, 6:56AM
AOL is a farce. They allow all sorts of pornographic sites to run freely on their system, then they montitor who uses them and reports them to local, state, and federal authorities. I know because I have a friend in jail specifically because of an AOL report on him. AOL; "You are the criminals" You are setting people up by making these sites available. I will use every source I can to get the message out to your subscribers to cancel your so called service. If I contact 100 people and they contact 100, and they contact 100; and so on, we will make it clear to you that my message is getting out to people that feel the same way I do. Perhaps you remember something called Citizens Band radio. There are still thousands of people that use this form of communitcation as well. I have at least 500 free fax numbers to the various business' I deal with daily in the United States and Canada that I will also utilize. People beware AOL is "Another Obvious Liar". Be careful what you accept on your e-mails, and what sites you look at. They are watching and are as much a "big brother" as there can be. Pass this on to your friends so they are aware of this situation. The more people that know the quicker AOL will be out of business.
philocles
Sep 5th 2007, 6:48PM
Hello friend! I'm Philocles Desir, Project director for All the Children are Children, Inc. The ATCAC’s mission is to empower the lives of families living on the Caribbean island of Haiti, thus reversing community, cultural, and economic deterioration. ATCAC seeks to educate, feed, clothe, and provide medical assistance to those in need, while developing working skills for young adults to become self-sufficient and contributive members of society.
Actualy we are looking for a sponsor to help us create a change among orphan children of Haiti, could anyone be interested enough sponsor this project? if so please navigate the web site and contact us immediately...www.ATCAC.org or Email us at: Kidsvoice@netzero.net
Thank you so much
suzie
Sep 5th 2007, 7:04PM
Hmmmmmmmm, speaking of slow SERVICE - I wrote a comment YESTERDAY, 9-4, which of course has to be confirmed via e-mail back to me b-4 it can be shown - it only took 24 HOURS for the confirmation to come back to me - Imagine that!!!! So now it's posted TODAY, 9-5!! No surprises there. While I noticed that Lisa said they are NOT going to change the format back to the one we seem to want as it's working for many people - and while I haven't had time to read ALL the comments here, the ones I have read seem to be totally NEGATIVE - Lisa, where ARE those positive comments??? My PC CRASHED about a month ago - and guess what the problem was - AOL!! Fortunately after TWO hours on the phone w/my PC people, they were able to fix it for me! Of course I didn't call AOL as EVERY time I have EVER called AOL w/a problem the standard answer has been - IT'S YOUR PC!!You all just don't get that Customer Service is the MOST important thing there is in business - all you people seem to know is TOTALLY controlling OUR lives and OUR PC's!! Doesn't work for me - will definitely be changing my service to another company - have had enuf in the past almost 3 years of this lack of service/caring - bottom line - AOL does NOT care - perhaps they will when they hit bottom and it WILL happen!! Guess this will take another 24 HOURS to be posted - need I say more???
dan
Sep 6th 2007, 1:55AM
i am just trying to setup an AIM account for my daughter so that we can chat. i have tried on three different occasions and every single time the site reloads that same stupid form and doesn't actually create the account. eventually, the site stops responding to my requests all together. i am not trying to setup a fake AIM, i just want to chat with my daughter. i setup my own AIM account over a year ago with no problem. so why do you guys make a free AIM account so hard to create. should i yahoo instead?
BCB
Sep 6th 2007, 6:14AM
I have been an AOL member since the very first day it started. I have always been impressed by its continuing to improve and keep up with technology as it changed. I can truly say that the new/current aol access over the internet and email service is so slow that it is virtually useless. I keep hoping that it will improve, but it has been a downhill venture since April. I do hope the bugs can be worked out as I am constantly frustrated on how long it takes to open up every single piece of mail, and if you reply that takes up more time, then if you send, it is more delay. It is almost as if AOL has stepped back in time 10 years ago in its service. I have basically stopped reading my email as I simply do not have time to try to PLOW through it as I know it will be an undertaking of several hours just getting it all processed. PLEASE HELP. I do appeal to the AOL team to work on providing its devoted customers with much faster and efficient service that was always present in your past. It absolutely is not possible to use your email as you currently have it and I fear you are on the brink of loosing a tremendous load of your customers due to this serious problem of delayed reaction by the system ( my system is very updated and lightening fast on any other website). Thanks for indulging me and I await a fix.
BCB
Fred Darling
Sep 6th 2007, 1:15PM
This "new" format is obviously an attempt to push more advertising on users. Every time I try to pull up a website for some information,an advertisement appears. Very often the ad is impossible to eliminate,requiring that I start all over again. This is very annoying. I am looking elsewhere. Go back to the "old" system-much better. This is an insult.
karen templeton
Sep 7th 2007, 9:27AM
You have taken over my HOME PAGE!!! I have tried resetting it 20 times and even went to manage add ons...I don't like it and I did not subscribe to this...everytime I change my home page it keeps going back to compaq-desktop.aol.com/redirect-------etc. How can I make it stop????? I've always used and still want MSN!!!
suzie
Sep 7th 2007, 10:43AM
The more blogs I read on this, the more I STILL realize that AOL just does not care!! It would appear that their position is "it is what it is" - AOL likes it and the customers be damned. I have read so many of the same scenarios that I, too, have experienced and yet nothing changes - gee, do you think AOL isn't listening??? They never have!!! AND they never will!! I'm still looking for a blog I did TWO days ago which has YET to be posted - hmmmmm, guess AOL didn't like my negative attitude!!! Ever since the customer base decreased by a HUGE number due to POOR customer service and they have had to resort to outside ads, the entire system has been reduced to ridiculous. If you're trying to type an e-mail you are interrupted constantly by pop-up ads which stop you dead in your tracks - funny how all my software that STOPS ads, pop-ups, etc. doesn't stop AOL's crap!! But as I was told by AOL, it never will - they can override ANY software intended to block their stuff - what's wrong w/THIS picture. But until we "abused" customers get off our lazy butts and go to another provider, AOL will continue to do as they damn well please!! Don't think they realize that w/o customers - guess what - they go outa business!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!
Joan Good
Sep 7th 2007, 12:48PM
What has happened to the e-mail service. I cant't get in my mail without waiting forever. Who has that much time. I can't see what the problem is. If it continues, I will have to change servers.
Dawn
Sep 7th 2007, 8:31PM
Please do something about the first story on your homepage, it has been Hurricane Dean for WEEKS now. I'm tired of looking at it. I've sent you e-mails prior to this one, no response and it's still not fixed. I'm also not getting all of my e-mails. I really DO NOT like the changes made to AOL!!!
aholsch
Sep 10th 2007, 7:36PM
Every time you "upgrade" the AOL site, it gets so much WORSE !
I no longer want to deal with AOL thanks to your latest upgrades .... and I had been with AOL for 10 years now. WHY ?????? Why is it that every time you try to improve it actually gets much much worse ??????? I do not like my AOL anymore. Hope this comment helps and I certainly hope it is taken in the good same positive spirit that I make it.
Thank you,
Alex Holschneider
aholsch@aol.com
snug321
Sep 13th 2007, 12:23PM
I was wondering who's responsible for the gas price section?
For the Indianapolis, IN area the prices have been the same for over a month...$2.52 we've been at the $3.00 mark for 2 weeks now. No problem, just wondering why not close.
Thanks, J
tpwoodmere12
Sep 14th 2007, 5:57PM
I can't find Keyword icon...is there still such a thing?
You've probably heard this thousands of times but AOL has not been the same since the message boards were reformulated. Make it easy for me to change my passowrd ok? I'm playing around for way too long trying to find Keyword area....
DWolf
Sep 15th 2007, 4:41PM
Why don't u fix this mess of a security system u & McAfee made before you do ANYTHING!I had McAfee in the past it was so difficult to deal with but they did explain it to me.Out of 8 people I know that heve it got viruses last year.So I stopped using it & used yours which was comprehensive & easy to use with no migraines or representatives (who need people training if you know what I mean.I am seriously looking at other providers.Even if I have to pay more it's worth it.
juneaukahn
Sep 16th 2007, 5:31PM
I'm not having any particular 'problem' - I enjoy the news articles and get most of my info from here. But this week, I was sick to see O.J.'s face not once, but TWICE as the lead story. What a shame to keep giving this sorry idiot so much free press. So it's news that he's in trouble again. . .99% of America doesn't care, we're not surprised, and we're sick and tired of seeing his face. Report the story and leave his picture OUT.
maryapoulin
Sep 17th 2007, 10:13PM
I hate it. I keep getting disconnected and when I log on the home page is missing. Just e-mail comes up.
barry panter
Sep 18th 2007, 8:56PM
more than 90% of the email i get on aol is spam. i'll probably switch to another browser....it's terrible having to go through all this junk..even without opening it. can't you do something about this?