It makes no sense to compare AOL's (a all in one package, ftp,news,web,emailer,archive, Instant Messenger and etc.) functions to standalone application dedicated to one function. Whether electronics or sofltware, all-in-one packages are in a different class and will never outdo products that are of a specific function. AOL is also aimed at the novice user, but experienced internet users have found it handy if they don,t want to help grandma to install and learn how to juggle a bunch of applications for different internet uses.