I have no idea which way I am going. I am against the ads. I love it here. It makes for a hard decision.... for me, anyway.
Yes, I made a new journal. Mostly acting in haste, which usually doesn't lead to good things....
I like the idea of moving my place to UK. I have always wanted to live abroad, even if it means doing it virtually ;) Here's the link, if you want to try it. They do not have ads.... yet. http://edit.journals.aol.co.uk/_do/create_blog
Then, there is our dear Jimmy. Who always helps us to find the humor in tough situations. Click below to see just what I mean. Thanks, Stupid! You did real good :) I so needed the laugh.... http://journals.aol.com/stupidsheetguy/TalkToMe/entries/1289
Lastly, there is this. See, I left a comment at Magic Smoke asking the one question I needed answered. Why? (It's my favorite word, like a 5-year-old... lol!)
So, Sir Omar, sent me this article in response. Please notice the date: November 2, 2005. The link follows....
300 an Hour! 
NOVEMBER 02, 2005
11:30 AM - AOL's got problems. Even with a huge boost in ad revenues, the online service can't stop people from heading to the exits. The new VOIP services and other fancy add-ons aren't even making a dent in the mess that AOL has become.
AOL revenues declined by $100 million, to $2 billion for the quarter, even though it saw a $71 million increase in ad revenues. The company saw its subscription revenues fall by $175 million. From the press release:
As of September 30, the AOL service totaled 20.1 million U.S. members, a decline of 678,000 from the prior quarter and 2.6 million from the year-ago quarter. In Europe, the AOL service had 6.1 million members, a decrease of 98,000 from the previous quarter and a decline of 170,000 from last year's quarter.
For a business of any size to lose 678,000 customers in three months -- that's more than 300 subscribers an hour -- you have to be doing something wrong. Maybe everything.
Phil Harvey, Numbas Editor, Light Reading
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=83507
It explains part of it. Revenue is down, have to raise it. I get that. But that happens to all businesses at one time or another. (My issue is while AOL's revenue has dropped by 100 million dollars, they still made 2 BILLION!)
There are <insert six million dollar man theme song> better, cheaper, faster ISPs out there now.
What did AOL/Time Warner expect? To stay on top forever?
Sorry, fellas, it just doesn't work like that in the business world.
Besides, usually, when it does, it is deemed a monopoly... just ask Bill Gates.
I don't know which way I'm going yet, but I hope my readers and known lurkers know I will keep you posted and informed wherever I may set up camp :) Unless you'd rather not....
Cat
