The America Online Protocol Revealed 468
Gods Misfit writes "The America Online protocol(Connecting, Logging In, Joining Chats, etc..) has remained a mystery for most of its life. The only way one could log into their AOL account was via the AOL software. A few months ago, some people set out to break down the AOL protocol and open the door for alternative America Online software. This document is the result: The AOL Protocol.
A sign on example for Visual Basic programmers has been written and is available here." I suspect a fair number of people never try Linux or one of the BSDs because they're moderately happy with AOL as an ISP, and switching OSes would mean switching ISPs at the same time. A shame that AOL doesn't make this kind of information more easily available.
If they're using aohell.... (Score:0, Funny)
Imagine if it crashes, the support staff is confused enough already with windows!
I Thought The Main Benefit Of AOL... (Score:3, Funny)
AOHell? (Score:2, Funny)
AOL on linux (Score:4, Funny)
Isn't that like having a red neck teach physic's at MIT?
Re:Illegal Activities? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:AOL on linux (Score:2, Funny)
Finally! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Illegal Activities? (Score:4, Funny)
You mean using Double Rot13 for an extra layer of security?
Re:Finally! (Score:5, Funny)
Personally, I think we should declare a war against VB programmers after the war on terrorism is over.
Re:Illegal Activities? (Score:2, Funny)
You mean using Double Rot13 for an extra layer of security?
You mean that doesn't work?
Re:People sticking with Windows because of AOL? (Score:4, Funny)
Hey now, wait a minute!!! You're stepping on my toes, now. I use those words together in one sentence all the time:
"I would like to see AOL ripped into tiny pieces and thrown into the Seven Seas."
Here's the simplified version: (Score:5, Funny)
void AOL()
{
while(connected)
{
send_advertisements();
monitor_browsing_habits();
monthly_fee++;
if(bandwith_to_spare)
send_internet_data();
}
return;
}
Re:yay, now I can chat with idiots. (Score:0, Funny)
ROck On (Score:5, Funny)
The only thing about AOL that's worth anything are the chatrooms. Unlike IRC, you can actually meet real, low-self-esteemed, fat chicks who'll put out for anyone willing to pretend to listen to them whine about how no one likes them.
I'd better stock up on condoms and twinkies, big dog is gettin' let out of the house...
This is gonna rock. (Score:5, Funny)
(456)123-4567 is an AOLnet dialin. Numbers mutilated to protect the guilty, of course. A few years and many many area code splits ago, we were all one code. More than a few lusers are confused by Windows' concept of "dialing location" and area code settings, and apparently more than a few of them are AOLers.
I get silent phone calls all the time, sometimes several in a row. Without fail, if I answer with a carrier, they connect.
Sometimes if I send "login:" they talk back. I've never bothered to get farther than that.
I've long dreamed of hacking up a barebones AOL emulator, just enough to push them a page that says "You dumbass, your area code settings are fux0red!" and then play some fart noises before dropping them.
Yeah, this is gonna rock. Not only do I get to fuck with their heads, but I get a free supply of AOL l:/p: pairs delivered to my desktop! Never know when those might come in handy.
Re:Well, that seals it (Score:3, Funny)
So AOL could be Linux's killer app... but it wouldn't be from Linuz hackers.
Re:Here's the simplified version: (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Finally! (Score:2, Funny)
Reasons for AOL on Linux (Score:3, Funny)
- Because I'm a poor college student who's parents are still on AOL. Why pay for a second ISP when there's one available? Linux isn't a solution for them, but if I could dial up from the Linux Box in my room (Linux on the second cheap computer? I have the second cheap computer!), that'd make my life simpler.
- Who wants to reboot to a Win/9x partition, connect, DL kernel patch, reboot to linux partition... etc...
- Remember that AOL offers a nation wide network. So these days, that's nothing new. But think about moving every few years, and doing this six years ago. Want to hunt up a new ISP every time you move?
- If you've managed to keep an ISP (and e-mail address) for a few years, would you want to go through the hassle of chainging? There are alot of long time AOL users who cling to AOL just to keep their e-mail addresses. As they grow more comfortable with their computer they may even grow towards Linux. Being able to keep your ISP would make that decision easier.
It's not about converting windows users to Linux because now they can keep AOL (though I think you may see some of that). It's about letting power users simplify thier life. (Single ISP for both the kids running windows and parents running linux (or the other way around!))Another possible effect could be an "Offical AOL For Linux". Which would be easier and less stressful in the long run, continually fighting off the third party connections, or writing an offical port to get people away from third party connection software?
Opening the AOL protcol and terrorisim legislation (Score:4, Funny)
Thus, this information is aiding and abetting computer trespass. Slashdot and the authors may be liable retroactively under the new terrorism legislation (depending on the scope of the hacking provisions) with mandatory life sentences for giving aid to terrorists.
By advocating an open AOL client for linux, given AOL's licensing terms, you are trying to change intellectual property policy, thus are "trying to change government policy through computer trespass" under the PATRIOT act, USA act, or whatever they are calling it now.
While this scenario seems crazy, keep in mind that this is literally within the scope of (some versions of) the terrorism legislation.
Conclusion: "You've got jail!"
Jerry Springer (Score:1, Funny)
finally! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:PDF Format (Score:3, Funny)
Hats off, though... and hats off to the person who did it in the first place...
/Brian
How about doing this for MSN? (Score:1, Funny)
Re:A Text File woudl be nice (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Finally! (Score:2, Funny)
Dont.... Ever.... Do.... That.... Again.
Re:Finally! (Score:1, Funny)
What are you staring at? Like you haven't done worse.
Lets rewrite some parts of that protocol (Score:1, Funny)