AOL Developing File-Backup Service
America Online is developing a new service that will let its members back up files from their PCs onto AOL data centers, so members can recover files either deleted accidentally or lost due to a hard-drive failure, an AOL executive says.
Source: PC World
wow, seems like such a great deal when you take into account the sky-high prices of cd-r's nowadays [/sarcasm] -KF"The concept is for users to very easily, either automatically or with one click, back up files from their hard drives to the AOL data centers," says Kerry Parkins, director of product marketing at AOL.
The backup feature is an interesting one to add to the AOL online service, but its adoption will depend heavily on AOL's making a case to members about its benefits, since PC users in general aren't in the habit of backing up their hard-drive data, says David Card, a Jupiter Research analyst.
The file backup will be a premium service with tiered monthly pricing based on storage levels: $3 for 100MB, $5 for 250MB, or $10 for 1GB, on top of the monthly AOL fee, according to information gathered from an AOL brochure and from AOL's online service, where the service is currently being beta-tested. Members can access it by typing keyword: File Backup.
Files stored at the AOL data centers will be encrypted, and access to them will be controlled via a password and an answer to a security question set up by the user, according to the AOL information. Users will determine when and how frequently AOL performs the automated backups; users need only to make sure that their computers are turned on and connected to the Internet at the scheduled backup times, according to the AOL information.
Source: PC World
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Yeah, and lets see I just bought a combo box of 4 DVD+R and 1 DVD+RW for like $12, and that's on the expensive side, you can get it alot cheaper in spindles or in larger quantities, so let me do the math here
4.7gb x 5 = 23.5gb of storage for $12...for as long as the DVDs are good
or $10/month for 1gb
hmmmm, AOL has such good ideas, 'it's no wonder they're number 1!'
/me sighs, knowing full well that this sham of a service will succeed
Yup, the bad thing about it is that it probably will.
note: I didn't change it to my name in Thrax's quote. I suppose it picked up the bbcode as me instead of Thrax.
KF
I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing... I mean if you're stupid enough to pay for it, you kinda deserve what you get. Personally, I think the guy that came up with this should be given a medal or something... there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of peoples' stupidity to make some money.
AOL has lots of users, but many of them don't get beyond their free trial. I think it may be that they are trying to make a few bucks any way they can, since they are not doing it with their Internet service.
Americans are gullible when it comes to technology (Why do you think the MX400 sold so well?
Though Americans are gullible, I'd like to think the general level of technology is increasing as more advanced computers penetrate the common market -- the advent of crackerjack broadband is probably also peeling people away.
Word of mouth? AOL has a ****ty reputation when it comes to word of mouth. People always have their person who they go to for advice because "They know so much about computers!" -- Those people usually hate AOL, and tell their more ignorant friends to run away from it.
And come on, AOL just sux lololool.
On a side note, Thrax: can I steal your Steam sig? It's totally awesome!
-drasnor