It's amazing what 24 hours can bring. We have gone from a family community of journaling friends to a community divided over banner ads and privacy. I agree that AOL has made a huge error in judgment in putting the ads in our journals. I can understand why the Aim users would have them, but paying customers? I thought that was part of what I got when I agreed to pay for this service. And the reason I chose AOL in the first place was for the sense of community. I was more than happy to pay my $24.95 for easy to navigate message boards (gone), fun, hosted chats where I could meet with other sahm's for a delightful trivia game on Fridays (gone). I loved the fact that our Journaling community had our own little page of AOL journalers, and the excitement of seeing who would make the top five every week (gone). It was like a little family back in the day....but, alas, like most good things it is coming to an end.
AOL is striving to be like all the other ISP's out there, giving up quality for quantity. Well, I tell you what....if someone came out with a service that was full of the things AOL once had, you can bet I'd be one of the first to sign up. I like the quality....and I will gladly pay for it too. I do not like what has happened, it is wrong on so many levels....however, I don't know that at this point I want to leave and start over somewhere else. I have made friends here....lots of them. They are real friends who I care about. I read about them every day....I feel like I'm a part of their lives, and that they are a part of mine. I like this little world I, and others have created and become a part of. I guess the question is....should I let AOL and their advertising drive me away from my happy place? At this point, I'm saying no. For me, I've decided to sit back and see where things go. I know that the banners are here to stay....the loss of membership will be a drop in the bucket to the revenue they will reap with the advertising. Do I agree with it? No. Will I ever click on one of the ads and give them my business? No. I guess that will be my protest for the time being.
There are so many other issues lately that have gotten me down, that I just want to crawl into a hole, and hide out until it passes by. Then again....it's in the passing by that life happens. The good and the bad. It just seems like it's getting harder and harder to keep a happy attitude.
And so, on that jovial note, I shall go and vacuum something.....my answer to all of life's little foibles!
22 comments:
I agree to me the banners are horrible BUT Not as horrible as the loss of my friends. MY FRIENDS are worth more to me than any banner and it wont drive me from my home. !!!!!!!!!!! I wont click and like you that will be my protest. I want to keep my life I have had and go back and look at pics. I joined a slew of other bloggers out there yesterday adn ended up with adawar going nuts. I run it everynight. It went crazy last nighta nd I had to go to bed adn wake up thismorninng to clear it. I also found that other bloggers along with sneaking in spyware. woudl not allow music. Most didnot allow pics and the ones that did well it was not easy adn some I never figured out. I dont know but None gave mall of this. Did you notice we got spell check now though????????????
TO ME my freinds are worth more than the banners.
I wish that was the answer to mine...I continually use chocolate :)~
I know, it's terrible, so many people have picked up and moved off to greener pastures. I've been writing in a journal for about a year but I only really got into the J-Community a couple of months ago and it's sad to see new found friends refusing to write.
Love Sam xXx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/misscarberry/NoLongerSweetSixteen
You have written almost exactly how I feel (so now I don't have to do all that work!). JAE
I too am frustrated, and after nine years, rather disappointed. Many years ago I entered one of those easy to navigate message boards, and found some truly great friends. We began emailing, and after eight years, we have met one another. Could I ever get that now? NO way, I went back to message boards a while ago, and wondered to myself how I ever was able to meet the friends I did at that time, especially knowing WAY less about how things work back then, but it was easier, go figure. You are right, it is all corporate and political, but they are forgetting their base customer. With the way things are changing at that level the money issue is inevitable, and at this point, I am not even really sure who is running AOL and making the decisions anymore, as they are in talks constantly with people to buy them, yet stay somewhat on board for 'direction.' Which, BTW "ain't happenin'." I am pretty fed up. I have been really strugglin with why I should stay for a few years now (and continue to pay these rates), and the friends I have met and community are why I have stayed, but now that is even going away. the friends are still there, just carrying a different umbrella now, and I can empathize. Here is a link though if you want to be heard to AOL (Maybe?) journalchanges@aol.com. I wish everyone well. Cya, Kris
I just cleaned my entire living room because I didn't want to come and face my computer. It isn't a joy anymore, I am not running to check for new alerts and it makes me sad. Just think of all the things I can get done now though not sitting on my computer?!?! I know that a few rooms need to be painted, and hmmm, maybe the furniture does need to be rearranged. LOL! You know I am here for now too. I just can't leave yet.
Hugs and love,
Lisa
Very well put Icouldnt agree more ,bloody annoying but need to keep our friendships going ...............Jan xx
I feel the same way! It is terrible!
I couldn't agree with you more!!
Missie
I'll still come visit your journal. and you are still my friend, Hugs Lanny
I cant stand the way aol is anymore.. everything has gone down hill. Those who dont pay for aol have almost as many options to do things as those of us who do pay. Its beyond aggrivating! Oh well.. I can complain all I want but Im probably not going to do anything about it. lol
Well stated Sherry. I agree. I guess we'll both have to vacuum something today.
After two hours of tweaking, rebuilding my AOL adapter is what ultimately fixed my save button. I am thankful it's now working and posted directions in my journal if anyone you know is having trouble wants to try that fix it idea. Hugs,
Lisa
I FEEL EXACTLY LIKE YOU DO ABOUT THIS. EXACTLY THE SAME. ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I EAT INSTEAD OF CLEAN.
hmmm does vacuuming really work maybe i should try this because of this maybe aol will make our homes really clean!
ugh i say no more
<3, emily
If I left AOL, it would be because I've been debating it back and forth for months. The ONLY things keeping me here are the friends I've made also. It's crazy how important all of you have become to me. I don't have many people that comment, especially since I'm private, but those who comment, I feel like I know. Like they are my neighbors (good ones, lol). So I don't really want to leave right now either, but I have considered it. The ads suck, but I can scroll down just a bit and voila! they're gone. LOL I said it was BS, I stick by that. I said I totally understood and agree with Lanny and suppport his decision and I stand by that too. It's just all around crappy of AOL and you're right, journals are NOTHING like they were just a year ago. ~Melissa
I agree with you Sherry...the banner ads suck, but watching our community just fall apart is worse then the ads.
I will not click in them, I will ignore them, and I hate them. But for now, I am not ready to leave my home, the community...what's left of it, and my friends like you who are my family.
*hugs*
Forget about stupid AOL...what else has you down these days? That's the kind of support we're all here to give, stupid AOL banners or not! By the way, I don't know how I got this lucky but I have yet to see an advertising banner of any kind...not on my journal and not on anyone elses! Could it be because I have all this Spyware protection?
Jeanne
darlin', feel free to come here and vaccum til your heart is content!!! Break out the paint brushes too, while you're at it. :-)
I understand how you feel, Sherry. This whole situation is awful. If you do go somewhere, I'm following.
love, anna
(I hope that as you do this, you continue to send your feedback to the feedback address we've set up, JournalChanges@aol.com, which I can't stress enough is not a dumping ground for your e-mails -- it's set up because I don't know if any high-powered AOL executives are going to see the comments you post in my blog, whereas with the e-mail, we can collect your feedback directly and share it with our executive team.) your voice counts so let them know how your feel
Don't hide. It was a terrible judgement call by AOL and as consumers we only have so much power. And funny, when I get mad or upset, I tend to vacuum too. Something about the rhythm of the movement calms my senses...
Dona
journals.aol.com/delela1/BlueSkiesandGentleBreezes
Sorry about the whole AOL mess.
((Sherry))
Gretchen
I agree with this awesome entry 100%. I am not leaving. Whatever is getting you down, i am truly very sorry. I hope you are ok....vent if you need to!
Hugs, lisa
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