AOL disk collecting
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AOL disk collecting is the collecting of CD-ROMs and diskettes distributed by the America Online company, containing computer software for accessing the America Online service. These CD-ROMs and diskettes are somewhat infamous for their excessive distribution. While disliked by many Americans who received them en masse during the late 1990s and early 2000s, AOL disks also provide an entertaining hobby for a few. The collector need not harbor any positive feelings toward the AOL Time Warner corporation, nor even be an AOL subscriber, although some of the larger collections are held by former and current AOL employees.
While there are no official figures released by AOL Time Warner, it is estimated there are over 1000 disk-designs in existence and over a billion disks have been produced in total. This direct mail marketing strategy is the brainchild of Janice Brandt, who joined the company in 1993 as the Vice President of Marketing. It was a huge success, and soon after AOL became the biggest internet service provider in the world.
Contents |
[edit] Obtaining AOL disks
AOL stopped distributing their mass mailing of CDs as of August 2006. Older version discs can still be acquired from AOL CD Disk collecting websites.
[edit] Controversy
The mass distribution of these disks was seen as wasteful by many people and led to protest groups. One such was No More AOL CDs, a web-based effort by two IT workers [1] to collect one million disks. The intent was to return the disks to AOL in an attempt to "end this wasteful practice while sharing a laugh or two".[2] The website was started in August 2001. An estimated 410,176 CDs were collected by August 2007 when the project was shut down.[2] It was also widely seen as annoying to receive the CDs in such mass. AOL CDs were recognized as #1 on PCWorld's top ten list of most annoying tech products.[3]
[edit] Popular culture
- In an episode of Futurama, the Earth was threatened by a giant meteor made out of 20th century garbage. At one point it was noted that a large part of the meteor consisted of discarded AOL disks.
- One strip in the long-running webcomic Achewood depicts a main character withdrawing from society to live alone on the moon. However, on the moon he mysteriously receives an AOL trial CD through his mail slot and the artist, Chris Onstad, comments that "I actually got one of [the discs] between some pancakes once."
[edit] References
- ^ What to do with those AOL CDs, a March 2003 CBC News article
- ^ a b Internet Archive Wayback Machine 2007 Aug 20 archive of NoMoreAOLCDs.com main page
- ^ "Your Top 10 Most Annoying Tech Products". PCWorld. 2007-04-16. http://www.pcworld.com/article/130647/your_top_10_most_annoying_tech_products.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-26.
[edit] External links
- #1 Site for AOL CD Install Disks - AOL CD DISKS including 9.0 VR Vista Ready Version. Also you can get older versions of America Online install Disks. Site has information on AOL Collectible CDs with an informative insight into the hobby of collecting AOL CDs.
- Lydia's AOL Disks - Collection of over 2,500 AOL CDs and disks, including the original version 1.0's, 5.25" floppies, and foreign CDs.
- EASY WAY to get an AOL Install CD Disc including Vista Quick & Easy site to get the AOL software CD version you're looking for!
- Genuine Original Re Install AOL CD Disks A nice selection of NEW older original factory sealed version install AOL CDs available to buy including AOL 9.0 VR Vista Ready CDs. Everyone's looking for an AOL 9.0 VR Vista Ready CD Disk. Here's the site where you can get your 9.0 VR Vista CD Disk.
- Popular Site to get Older AOL Install Disks Great web page where you can obtain any older versions of AOL install software.
- cdROMcollector.com AOL collection organized by number.
