 
By David Carnoy What was the final straw? For starters, the price for DSL went up. Second, and more importantly, AOL Broadband isn't compatible yet with either Xbox Live or PS2 Online. To add insult to injury, I discovered that I could use my AOL dial-up service to access PS2 Online, but I'd have to pay an additional $4.95 a month to join the Online Gaming Club. More bad news: when AOL does support broadband console gaming, I'll still have to pay that extra $4.95 a month--talk about information superhighway robbery! Overcoming my e-mail identity Before I get pummeled with e-mail suggesting I'm an idiot for staying with AOL as long as I have, I must offer a brief defense. The true AOL bond began about five years ago, when I was having lunch with Sky Dayton, the founder of EarthLink, who was marketing EarthLink as the hipper ISP. It was a good idea and strategy, but when Sky implied that the gals might not respond to my decidedly unhip e-mail address, I took offense. I told him that I was comfortable enough with my offline identity that I was willing to risk going out there with any address; in fact, the more pathetic, the better. And thus, out of spite was born my obstinacy or loyalty or whatever you want to call my long relationship with AOL.
Join the club Of course, AOL will argue that you're getting something for joining the AOL Online Gaming Club. What exactly? First, you don't have to pay for a few months. AOL started by offering three months free; now, it's upped the no-charge period to closer to four months--you don't have to pay until March. But that's not all. Call the toll-free number (866/204-4772) and you can learn more about what the service offers dial-up PS2 Online users. First, you get simultaneous connectivity, which allows you to talk on the phone and play PS2 Online at the same time--a plus for dial-up users but useless for DSL or cable subscribers who already have that feature. On top of that, you get access to a special members-only area where you can dig up info on what games are available for online play, release dates for new games, reviews, and discounts on PS2 Online titles.
Same train, different name You're probably wondering what service I went with. Well, Sky Dayton would be proud. I chose EarthLink, which has been working beautifully with both Xbox Live and PS2 Online. I didn't have to configure a thing; it was all done automatically. But here's the rub. I got EarthLink through my cable provider, Time Warner Cable, which is owned by guess who? That's right, AOL. So, depending on how you look at it, I didn't leave at all, but I'm paying less and have a better service. Go figure.
David Carnoy is an executive editor for CNET Reviews. Have a question for him? Let us know!
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