AOL versus IE

[geofbob]

I'm an AOL user, and often see dismissive comments about the AOL browser from people who say they prefer using Internet Explorer (IE). I've always found the AOL browser adequate for my needs, but would use IE if it were better. Just what is it that you can do on IE (with AOL as your provider) that you can't do on AOL's own browser?

[snotmonkey]

having never used aol but only ever seeing a friends for a couple of minutes the first impressions are its very motherly and cuddley not wanting to let you into the big wide world but saying that ie is no better. roll on osx.2's iBrowser

[lisaj]

AOL is a *service provider* (note: NOT an ISP) and does not give you an actual Internet identity (IP address). This comes into its own when trying to use IP based software, such as ICQ or Kazaa. Whilst they manage to provide you with web access this is done using their gateways, and does not actually mean that you are directly accessing a web server. Internet Explorer on the other hand is just a web browser that will work with any Internet Service Provider since they give you a real Internet identity.