Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.pcgeos
Subject: A Geos App goes Windowing...
From: echthelion@aol.com
Date: 25 Aug 92 13:07:52 GMT

The attached letter comes from Steve Case, President of America Online. 
Looks like another application is getting into Windows.

cwl B-)
echthelion@aol.com
cheese%etdai2.decnet@etd88a.mdc.com

*----- Begin enclosed letter -----*

August 13, 1992

Dear Members,

We're making good progress towards our ultimate objective of establishing
America Online as the nation's leading online service. I wanted to update you
on what we've done recently, and what we have planned for the future.

MAC VERSION OF AMERICA ONLINE

A new 2.0 version of our Macintosh access software is now shipping. Mac
members can request an upgrade (and find out more about all the new features
that are included in the 2.0 release) by using keyword UPGRADE.

DOS VERSION OF AMERICA ONLINE

Most of our PC-compatible members are now using version 1.3 of our software. 
A new version -- called version 1.5 -- is now nearing completion.  It
includes a number of downloading enhancements, including multi-file
downloading (you can queue up a number of programs and then have them
downloaded all at once), auto-decompression (you don't have to load a
separate program such as QExtract; the files will be automatically
decompressed for you when you sign off), and resume (you can restart a
download where you left off).  We expect to complete our testing and make 1.5
available to interested members in October.

WINDOWS VERSION OF AMERICA ONLINE

The current PC-compatible version of America Online uses the PC/GEOS
graphical operating environment.  We think PC/GEOS is terrific; it looks good
and it works well on a broad range of PC's, including lower-end 8088 and
286's.  However, we do recognize that a growing number of our members are
using Windows, so we also have a Windows version of America Online under
development.  We will begin beta testing the Windows version this Fall, and
we expect it to be ready for broad release after the first of the year.

E-MAIL GATEWAY

We've extended the reach of America Online , and you can now send or receive
mail with friends, relatives and business associates who use other mail
systems such as CompuServe, MCI, AppleLink, and Internet. Just select the
"Mail Gateway" option on your Mail menu, or use keyword INTERNET.  This
gateway has been a big success -- thousands of messages are being exchanged
each day.  We aren't charging any extra fees for use of the mail gateways;
sending mail to someone on CompuServe, for example, costs the same as sending
mail to a fellow America Online member.

9600 BPS ACCESS

There's a growing desire to use faster modems to access America Online. 
Accordingly, we are now modifying our network architecture so that faster
modem speeds can be supported without negatively impacting our other members
(i.e.  we don't want the additional load of a 9600 bps modem slowing things
down for all the people using 1200 and 2400 bps modems).  We plan to offer
9600 bps access on a limited test basis this Fall, and it should be broadly
available this Winter.

 25 REASONS PEOPLE LOVE AOL

We're often asked to explain how America Online is different from other
online services such as Prodigy.  There are some obvious differences in terms
of user interface design and service philosophy, but beyond that we wanted to
be clearer about what the service content that makes us unique.  To that end,
we've created an area called "25 Reasons People Love America Online" and
linked it to 25 of the services that we feel help make us different.  You can
reach this area by using keyword UNIQUE.  After you browse the area, I'd be
interested in hearing from what YOU think makes AOL different.  We've created
a message board for you to post your thoughts.  (It's the last menu option
under the 25 Reasons area.)

PRICE TESTING

When I conducted the online President's Roundtable this past Spring, one of
the most common requests from members is that we provide alternate pricing
plans.  We are in the process of testing some alternatives now, and we'll be
able to begin analyzing the results in a few months.  We'll let you know what
we conclude as soon as we can.

AMERICA ONLINE BOOK IS COMING

A lot of members have asked us to create a book explaining how to get the
most out of America Online.  Ventana Press, a leading publisher of computer
books, is producing two versions (one for Mac, and one for DOS) of "The
America Online Membership Kit and Tour Guide." Both books are expected to be
available in bookstores and software outlets in late October.  We obviously
want the books to be broadly distributed, so please go to your favorite
stores NOW and ask them to carry the books.  (By the way, the book will come
bundled with America Online software and some free trial time, so it will
make a great holiday gift for your friends and family!)

WE'RE NOW A PUBLIC COMPANY

America Online, Inc. stock was offered to the public in March, and our stock
is now traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol AMER.  We
recently announced financial results for the most recent quarter.  I'm
pleased to tell you that as of June, we had over 180,000 members -- up from
130,000 a year ago.  We thank you all for joining us, and helping us grow so
rapidly!

That's a quick synopsis of what's going on at this end.  I'll keep you posted
as things develop.

Thanks,

Steve Case
President
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