With the rollout of AOL version 9.0 you can't even read this newsgroup or
any other unless you use the old method, ala the AOL version 1

Huh?? I have been on AOL since 1992 through all versions, and have never had a
problem. I now have 9.0Security Edition and it works just as smoothly as
always.

Neither my DSL provider in Vermont nor in Florida provide any sort of
reader...but I will now try Mozilla and Google.

I haven't found a better way than AOL for organizing all the varied things I do
online in one place. We travel alot, and the AOL Travel Boards can't be beat
for advice and info. They are accessable only within AOL. Instantly accessing
my portfolio with a rollover drop down menu is very quick and simple. Having
IM's and email right in front of me while doing myriad other things online also
counts for something.

Dealing with e-mail with either of my DSL services is painful...and with clunky
add-on spam filters. AOL mail is easy to use and I'm amazed how good the new
spam filtering actually works.

All this said...with AOL eliminating a simple way to organize my dozen
newsgroups...and now dumbing down the travel boards, I am lookin for an
alternative as soon as my annual subscrition runs out. I'm experimenting with
FireFox, and am open to recommendations.

Thanks for listening...

Bob