AOL through my Notes R5 client

[eyespi]

Hello! I use Lotus products and want to use AOL through my Notes R5 client. The help files in Notes say I need to know the following:
ISP login name, password, POP and SMTP address, or IMAP address
I thought I could login to AOL from anywhere... do I have to get the above info for every location I will be at or just the access numbers for those areas and that will take me to my account?

Thanks for your help!

 

[lamaar]

I gather from your post that you want access to your AOL email while using Notes? If so, you will need to set up the po and smtp accounts withing Notes. If you just want to use it browse the Internet then you do not need these and then log into your email while online. Lamaar75@hotmail.com

 

[eyespi]

Hi! I received the following answer from the AOL Webmaster and this is their policy so I am putting it out for anyone who might want to use the R5 client to connect to AOL email:

unfortunately AOL software is not compatible with any external "newsgroup or mail" programs such as Outlook Express (comes with Microsoft Internet Explorer), Netscape Communicator, or Eudora since we do not use SMTP, POP, or NNTP protocols.

This is due to Parental Controls, special features, benefits and security features we have through the AOL Mail/Newsgroup services.

However, here are some alternative options that I can recommend if you would like to use any external mail or newsgroup programs.

A) CONNECT TO AOL USING ANOTHER INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP)
B) RETRIEVING AOL E-MAILS THROUGH THE USE OF AOL MAIL

A) CONNECT TO AOL USING ANOTHER INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP)

Please try this solution if you really want to use any external Mail or Newsgroup programs such as Microsoft Outlook, Eudora etc., and retain AOL as your ISP.

If you want to use any external Mail or Newsgroup programs and want to retain AOL as your ISP, I would recommend that you try to connect to AOL using another ISP. This process is called the "Bring Your Own Access (BYOA)" plan and can be found at Keyword BYOA. Then all you have to do to connect to AOL is use the TCP/IP connection. Information about BYOA Plan and TCP/IP connection are stated below.

Once you are connected to your other ISP, you can now ask them for the information you need regarding the SMTP and POP address in order to set up Outlook, Eudora and other external programs that require this information. Most of the ISPs do provide this information to their customers and since AOL has its own mail system, we cannot provide this information to our members.

If you will connect to AOL using another ISP, your price plan will definitely be reduced to a smaller cost. The Bring Your Own Access (BYOA) Plan is a flat $9.95 per month for unlimited use of America Online. You may contact our Billing Department at 1-888-265-8003 to switch your current price plan into BYOA or go to the Accounts & Billing area at Keyword: Billing and click on Change Billing Method or Price Plan.

----- Bring Your Own Access (BYOA):

America Online's software allows you to connect to AOL using TCP/IP over the Internet by using an Internet Service Provider or Cable Modem from home, or by using a Local Area Network (LAN) Internet Connection at work or school.

AOL also offers a special pricing plan for customers who use AOL exclusively via TCP/IP. The Bring Your Own Access (BYOA) Plan is a flat $9.95 per month for unlimited use of America Online.

TCP/IP is a communication format for transferring data on a network. America Online's software lets you use TCP/IP (if it is available on your computer) instead of your modem to connect to America Online at no extra charge. Connecting to America Online with TCP/IP is often faster than the usual modem-based connection process, and it will not interfere with your use of other TCP/IP tools like Netscape(c) or Mosaic(c).

If you have a local area network (LAN), ask your system administrator if you have TCP/IP capabilities.

Also, you may be able to obtain a modem-based TCP/IP connection (called either a SLIP or a PPP connection) from a local Internet service provider.

NOTE 1: AOL does not support modem-based TCP/IP
connections from a local Internet Service Provider (ISP)
or LAN connections using a custom proxy
configuration.

If any one wants their directions how to set this up, reply to the thread and I'll post a second part...

Neil