AOL is opening its content to the Web - CR4 Discussion Thread

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Chris Leonard Friend of CR4 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1776 Good Answers: 35	AOL is opening its content to the Web 06/24/2005 9:15 AM
	In an effort to compete with Google, Yahoo and Microsoft, America Online (AOL) is opening the proprietary portions of its Web portal. With their subscription based revenue model failing, they are hoping to switch to an ad revenue model. This move seems long overdue but I'm skeptical about its value. The AOL name has no cache anymore - they haven't been relevant to me since 1996, before anyone in my circle really understood the Web. When $9.95 (USD) seemed like a fair price to surf their content, then maybe go over to that new book site "Amazon something"... There is an interesting paradox taking place though, as many sites are attempting to become be-all, end-all "portals" for their users. Contrast that with the most successful Internet portal attempting to move away from its own exclusivity. __________________ Off to take on other challenges. Good luck everybody! See you around the Interwebs.
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BRodda The Feature Creep Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 990	#1 Connectivity 06/24/2005 10:37 AM
	The problem isn't that there is more "free content" on the web, but that there are more ways to get to that content. Back when there were few DSL or cable modems AOL, Juno and CompuServe were the only ways to access this "Internet" from home. As the less densely settled areas of the US are getting wired with broadband access points AOL, the king of dial-up, is seeing their market become smaller and smaller. AOL was never a destination site, it was just where most people started from because that was their access point. __________________ "The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet." -William Gibson
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Steve Melito Guru Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2969 Good Answers: 33	#2 Imitation 06/24/2005 3:08 PM
	Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but building a successful business plan involves more than just copying a competitor. It will be interesting to see how AOL implements "the vision thing".
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