Comment Re:And the burning questions remain (Score 1) 259
"We" still pay $24.95/mo?
You don't have to. AOL has BYOA (bring your own access) rates.
Your story answers the question "Why do they stay" at least in part. It's easier to stay. People don't like change.
There's another reason beyond access and content, which I'll agree you can get other places for less or for free. It's what I call the "human connectivity" factor. You may not understand it, but it's real.
Many people value the human connections they make on a site and don't want to lose them, fear they will, and don't want to risk it. If AOL users leave the service, they can't access their favorite AOL Only message boards or chats. It's not uncommon on AOL boards or chats to see comments from users who say, "I'd leave but I don't want to lose touch with you guys." or "I left for a while, but I missed you all."
It's not about the service or the content for those folks. It's about their online friends.
"Priceless."
Your story answers the question "Why do they stay" at least in part. It's easier to stay. People don't like change.
There's another reason beyond access and content, which I'll agree you can get other places for less or for free. It's what I call the "human connectivity" factor. You may not understand it, but it's real.
Many people value the human connections they make on a site and don't want to lose them, fear they will, and don't want to risk it. If AOL users leave the service, they can't access their favorite AOL Only message boards or chats. It's not uncommon on AOL boards or chats to see comments from users who say, "I'd leave but I don't want to lose touch with you guys." or "I left for a while, but I missed you all."
It's not about the service or the content for those folks. It's about their online friends.
"Priceless."
