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"Living With Your Computer"

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The Beta Testers letters

Written by:  You, the readers! 

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Hi Dan,
Thanks for this very informative info... and yet so true.. I also was one of the beta testers but... after downloading and installing it, it totally messed up my computer and since I also use it for vital work info and things.  I couldn't afford to allow aol to mess it up like that even further, so I backed out.... on my own, I just didn't do any more with it... I deleted the 6 and didn't do anymore downloading, but I also experienced several of the problems that you mentioned on the site... Just wanted to say thanks my friend for such honesty... I sure hope that aol doesn't take you off the beta testing group as it is exactly people like you that WE and THEY NEED,, like it or not.... Big Hugs To YOU... for speaking up, and for being so honest for all our sakes.... 

I beta tested 5.0 and found bugs, I beta tested 6.0 and it was horrible.  I will continue using 4.0 until I know that 5 or 6 has been improved.

Thanks for the info on 6.0 I didn't hang in very long as a tester for 6.0 cause Hey!  If they still have bugs in 5.0 why go deeper into ruin?

One thing you didn't mention on your site, that I have had the MOST problem with my beta testing of 6.0; is that if you do not have the font of someone you are talking to uses, the computer will not auto default their font to arial. Instead all I get is a ton of lines, and totally UNREADABLE.
I thought since they released it in the Keyword:  Upgrade section, they probably fixed that problem. Well, now that I have the upgrade version, it's still doing the same thing my beta version did.  Did you have that problem too?  I don't know many people who were beta testers, that's why I'm asking you. :o) (Yes, I forgot about that bug.  I forgot about a lot of them)

Dear Dan:
I, like you have been a beta tester.  I have not had any problems with my windows or lost any systems or files, but this has way too many bugs to go to the public right now.
You cannot use WavMan with 6.0, and the waves you do have play way to slow and take too long in 6.0.  Also if you belong to any large groups with lots of mailing, like I do, don't use 6.0 for your email.  If you have more than 126 people that you send at one time, forget it.  AOL 6.0 cuts off anyone past that number.
I think once all the bugs are out it will be a great program, but, it was released way to soon and it is going to make the general public very upset when they start getting the errors and bugs that we, as beta testers have been putting up with for months.

Thanks for putting up your webpage about AOL 6. I, too, was a beta tester. But, after having to uninstall 6.0 6 times and use my "Go Back" program to get my computer back to where it was, I quit testing for them.  Thank God I had had the forsight to buy "Go Back"!  When I saw 6.0 was released, I figured they must've worked out the numerous bugs.  I was getting ready to download it again tonight.  Well, someone sent me your webpage just now and I have to tell you, I thank you very much for changing my mind again! Could you please tell me how to sign up for your tips newsletter?  I thank you very much for publishing your opinion and saving me from more doom! 

Hi Dan,
I was a beta tester and after the tenth crash I quit!  So now with the new release I decided that maybe they had gotten the bugs out.  So last Sunday I download Aol6 again.  Boy was I wrong!  It still has the same bugs and several others that I have become aware of at this time.  Please keep telling your online pals not to install Aol6 and to stay with Aol5.  And if some poor hapless person does download and crash ... I wish them luck ... I became totally frustrated with the crashes and incompatibility.  All Aol could say to me was to reinstall ... that I could do on my own.  With love to you.

Thanks Danny for the tip.....you sure had more patience for 6.0 then I had. I've beta-tested 3.0 and up and NEVER had the problems like I did with this one.  Finally, I said that's it, no more, uninstalled it and went on my merry little way..lol.  It'll be nice to see what the "real" finished product is like.

Sorry to hear that AOL dropped ya for telling the turth.

I became a beta tester about two months ago.  For background, I am an Electronics Engineering Technician for Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids.  I have a vaild FCC General Phone license, an Amatuer Radio ticket, and consider myself fairly computer savy.

I used AOL6 best for about one month, then deleted all the files and went back to 5.  the program was a mess.  Worst part...AOL5 has been left with a digustingly huge buddy list window.

To make matters worse, I also began to use PowerTools for AOL about a month prior to AOL6.  It also has some bugs.  I've been in touch with PowerTools and they thought they gave me a fix, but didn't.  but all in all, I like many of PowerTools features, and AOL would be smart to buy them and integrate them.  Pride probably won't let them.

I'd have to agree with ya.  I won't use AOL6 until the CD comes out, and even then will be leary about it.

Your article did not cover all the problems I have had with the 60 but most of them.
It has a really nasty way of hanging up when I try to report a bug and my computer has to be rebooted.  This is the most annoying problem, but as you say, there are many to work on before this program should be released to the public.  I myself have tested 3,4 & 5 before this one and NEVER have I taken on one that was in such poor shape at the onset.  One expects to have a few problems, but the 6.0 has been a real hair raiser for me.  I guess so far I am one of the lucky ones, in that it has not crashed my system YET!
I did know that it effected the 5.0 as it also hangs up now when I try to report in the beta area and I have to reboot my system.  You can only get conflicting information from AOL on this matter, as I am sure you have found out.  Just thought I would share this with you and thanks for your informative article.

hi dan i used to be a beta tester for aol 6.0 and when i got it and put it in it did what you said wiped out my puter had a hard time fixing it i took it out and when back to 5.0 i think ill stick with it why cant they leave well enought alone lol well it nice to see sombody puttint the word out about it cus i dont like it at all to many things .  like not nowing your spedt the buddie list and so on so again i say thanks for the tip alltho a little to late lol but thanks

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