America Online finds out how important privacy is to users
July
27, 1997
By JIM BROOKS
Is e-mail effective? Just ask the folks who run America Online.
The company said Thursday it was dropping its just recently announced
plan to share subscriber's phone numbers with its telemarketing
partners.
AOL was set to announce a change in its subscriber policy that
would've allowed them to provide phone numbers and subscriber-related
information to its markteting partners.
AOL just last month signed a $50 million deal with a national telemarketing
firm.
The plan set off a firestorm of e-mail and public criticsm, and
AOL quickly pulled the plug on the idea. The plan would've taken
effect on July 31.
Critics of the plan ranged from average users to radio commentator
Paul Harvey to a presidential aide who threatened to cancel her
account, calling on AOL officials to scuttle the plan.
Besides phone numbers, AOL would've shared the usage habits of
its users -- the sites they visited while using the service, and
what commerce took place, if any.
The plan also attracted criticism from New York state Attorney
General Dennis Vacco -- one of the main attorneys who took AOL to
task just a few months ago for selling its service with an inadequate
number of modems and phone lines.
By acting swiftly, AOL's brass avoided the nasty bashing they endured
after the company began offering its $19.95 unlimited usage plan.
MAC OS DEBUTS. Apple's new operating system, Mac OS 8, was
released this week to much fanfare and publicity -- and at first
look, it deserves the accolades.
Mac OS 8 isn't going to save Apple from drowning in a sea of red
ink as it tries to return to profitability.
But it does show that the company can put some of that old Apple
know-how to use in creating a winning update for an aging operating
system.
I took a quick tour of the new operating system via an interactive
CD-ROM, and if it lives up to the hype -- and Mac-o-philes report
it does -- the new OS will boost the company's revenues and polish
Apple's tarnishing image.
The improvements to the operation system, while not groundshaking,
change the face of the Mac desktop, improve navigation and make
using a Mac on the Internet much easier -- certainly much easier
than a PC.
The desktop can be customized to suit the user's tastes. Icons,
colors and backgrounds can be setup as desired.
One innovation that stands out in my mind is the Internet Setup
Assistant. OS 8's setup utility will walk you through the process
of setting your Mac up for use with an Internet provider.
In fact, OS 8 includes names and phone numbers in a list of national
Internet providers.
You can also just as easily set it up for an ISP not on the list.
Two other Internet user-friendly innovations include the ability
to put your Mac to work as a mini-Web server, and the ability to
share files across the Internet.
And Apple has thoughtfully included version of Microsoft's Internet
Explorer and Netscape Navigator to help get you online if you aren't
already.
Windows95 users will likely recognize some of the claimed "innovations"
contained in Mac OS 8 -- a couple of the features have been part
of Windows95's operating system since it was released nearly two
years ago.
Mac OS 8 hit most Apple retailers this weekend. The price? The
CD-ROM will set you back $99, though recent Mac buyers can upgrade
at a hefty discount.
Some Mac-specific magazines now on newsstands have been bundled
with a Mac OS 8 demo CD-ROM. If you own a Mac, check out what OS
8 can do for you.
WIN98 UPDATE. If you've been hearing conflicting names for
the next Windows operating system, the confusion is over.
On Wednesday, Microsoft officials announced that the operating
system formerly known as "Memphis" will indeed be called
Windows98.
There's no official word when it will hit the streets, though year's
end is still what industry watchers say is the target timeframe
for its release.
Windows98's new desktop will look more like a World Wide Web browser,
featuring back and forward buttons and one-click file access.
PROTECTING CHILDREN. In a move aimed at protecting children
from inappropriate content, CompuServe this week announced it was
creating separate adult-content areas within the service.
By shifting content around, CompuServe can regulate which users
have access to it.
Adult-oriented chat, file libraries and forums are now bundled
under the Adult Community, one of more than 40 CompuServe online
communites that bring topic-specific resources together in one area.
The new content controls work hand-in-hand with existing parental
controls the online service has had in place for some time.
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