Three years ago America Online was under siege, facing legal threats by several states and a class-action suit by subscribers furious over service. The answer, according to those within the company and beyond, lies in a combination of marketing hubris and an obsession with the Internet novice.
People get addicted and they stay hooked.
Now, AOL faces its toughest challenge yet in unprecedented corporate clashes. AOL closed down 4 percent at 83.94, after earlier touching a low of 76.94. And once outside the realm of online communities and Web portals, it remains unclear how AOL will measure up to its gargantuan rivals. So I think they are ahead. Naturally, AOL and its supporters beg to differ, especially in light of the current messaging standoff.