Friday, May 22, 2015

You've Got Inertia

Like millions of others, I signed up for an account with America Online in the 1990's. Unlike millions of others, I not only still have it but also use AOL as my primary personal email account.

AOL is low-status, to be sure; johndoe@aol.com is distinctly déclassé compared to johndoe@prestigious-employer.com, johndoe@johndoe.com, or even johndoe@cable-provider.net, but I like the fact that most marketing traffic is shunted to the AOL inbox. It's easier to delete them if they're in a specific place.

Apparently, I'm not alone:
People still use AOL’s mail today — tens of millions, a spokesperson said — likely out of habit and the convenience of not having to change addresses.
Besides, the sounds that once were irritating now trigger nostalgia:

No comments: