Cancel AOL, but keep your address?

[JackDog]

Is there a way to cancel your AOL service but keep your e-mail address? I've been trying to talk my Mom out of using AOL for years but she doesn't want to have to change her e-mail addy. A couple of weeks ago, AOL updated their software and now there's a bunch of new crap on her computer along with their spyware and anti-virus software. She wasn't happy about this at all, and I think that now would be the perfect time to get her to switch. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[curses]

She's going to lose that email address. Since AOL don't offer a free email service like Yahoo or Hotmail do, once you stop paying, you can't use their email servers anymore.

[Joshua Adams]

Originally Posted by minus

She's going to lose that email address. Since AOL don't offer a free email service like Yahoo or Hotmail do, once you stop paying, you can't use their email servers anymore.

Well... they do offer emails at aim.com for free. In fact you automatically get one if you use AIM.

I've heard that when you cancel AOL they sort of let you keep using your email for as long as you like, and that some people have reported being charged anyway even though it was supposed to be for free.

[quiet bear]

When I cancelled aol, I was informed I still had until the end of ther month to use it.

I'd say, check and see how long you have it for, then set up the things Joshua said. That way, they'll be overlapping, and she'll have her e-mail already in place when the subcription runs out.

I guess that would work, unless they cancel e-mail addresses.

[Phippy]

I'll gladly offer you/her a Gmail invite if you'll PM me. That's by no means a unique offer, but I'll be glad to do it.

Just bite the bullet and realize the addy is gonna change. Gmail has a good interface, or at least I like it, and the storage can't be argued with.

The sooner you/she gets rid of the virus named AoL the botter off you'll be, don't even try to retain the addy, just change it.

[Joshua Adams]

I'd set up the Gmail account, tell everyone the new address, and then configure Gmail to forward all the mail to the AOL one until weened from the latter. Gmail forwards mail very elegantly, it shows the original sender and not itself as the sender (unlike my stupid school email). It also does not delete your mail, EVER (unless you tell it to), unlike AOL which I believe you have to specifically tell it to save the letter or it will be erased in a couple of days.

[lisarea]

Finally, after much speculation and rumorizing, it's been confirmed. JackDog, you can now get yo mamma off AOL.

[Blake]

I'm sorry; I'm trying not to bump ancient threads as I catch up with them, but this seemed like news too good not to be underlined.

[Freddy]

I cancelled AOL after three years and still have AOL AIM mail for free. I check it every day but my main mail comes through my MSN mail.