Hello everyone,
I am hearing that if you want to beta test for AOL, it will require that
you give them your credit card info. Once the testing is up in 30 days, if
you decide you don't want to continue, your card will continually be
billed until you scream to get it taken off. Why should you need to give
your credit card info to beta test for someone?
Furthermore, AOL software is extremely difficult to remove from your
system once it's been installed. It will cause problems with things
already there. the litany continues, but let's let others confirm this. I
am only speaking from the many, many messages I've read. I am surprised
that no one has come forward on this list as of yet. I sure hope they will
because I'd hate to see people have to struggle with their systems and
wallets after this nonsense is over and done with. It's a joke to say the
least.
Isaac

On Thu, 9 Aug 2001, Peter Altschul wrote:

> +=3D=3D acb-l Message from Mary Watkins <[log in to unmask]> =3D=3D+
> =20
> =20
> AOL is looking for Beta Testers to test new accessibility
> features
>
> America Online 6.0, released in October 2000, marked a number of significant
> milestones in AOL's efforts to make our service accessible to all users.  We
> have spent the last several months building upon these accessibility=
>  features
> and are now ready to beta test these improvements using AOL's most
> super-charged testing, a "Focused Beta Test."
>
> The Focused Beta Test for accessibility is a call to Assistive Technology
> users to report on their AOL experience using Assistive Technologies such as
> screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice recognition, speech output, and
> alternatives to the standard keyboards and mouses.
>
> To ensure the success of this effort, AOL would like to invite people who=
>  use
> Assistive Technologies in their day-to-day computer use to be a part of this
> evaluation.  Individuals with this experience will play an important role in
> providing feedback to AOL Product Developers so we can continue toward our
> mission of building a more accessible AOL.
>
> Here's how you (or any Assistive Technology user) can participate:
>
> To become a Beta Tester you must first have an AOL account.  If you are not
> an AOL member, you may join using one of our free AOL 6.0 CDs, which may
> offer you up to 700 free hours of usage. You can call to order a CD at
> 1-800-827-6364 or download the software at www.aol.com. You are under no
> obligation to continue with the AOL service at the end of your trial period,
> but must contact us if you wish to cancel in the future.
>
> -- Once logged online to the AOL service, visit AOL Keyword: Beta to
> register.  Then, select the America Online 7.0 Beta link and click the=
>  "Focus
> Tests" button to find the link to the "Accessibility Focus Test."  (Note for
> screen reader users: use the Tab key to navigate all beta application=
>  screens
> also use the Spacebar instead of the Enter key to open windows.)
>
> -- You will be asked to review and sign AOL's non-disclosure form and to
> provide information on the type(s) of Assistive technology you use to access
> the AOL service. Although you will have access to the Beta area immediately
> upon completing the application, please allow us one business day to process
> the application.
>
> As an AOL Beta Tester you will receive instructions weekly regarding=
>  specific
> products you can choose to test. You will be asked to provide feedback about
> the products functionality, and to fill out a bug report if you find
> something does not work.  (Note to JAWS and Window Eyes users:  to most
> effectively use AOL with your screen reader, you will need to copy AOL
> screenreader files into your screenreader directory. Information on how to=
>  do
> this is available in the "Accessibilty Focus Test" area at AOL Keyword:=
>  Beta.)
>
> We are looking for testers for the Accessibility Focus Test who use=
>  Assistive
> Technology in their day-to-day computer use.  If you don't have this
> experience, but have any family members or friends who are AOL members and
> use Assistive Technology, tell them about the new tests available at AOL
> Keyword: Beta. =20
>
> AOL is committed to continuing to build more accessibility into America
> Online and its products and service, and we thank you for your help and
> support in this endeavor.
>
> Thank you.
> Debbie Fletter
> America Online
> Director, Accessibility
> tel: 703-265-3469
>
> --=20
> Mary Watkins
> Outreach Manager
> Media Access Group at WGBH
> (The Caption Center, Descriptive Video Service=AE,
> CPB/WGBH National Center for Accessible Media)
> [log in to unmask]
> access.wgbh.org
> 125 Western Avenue
> Boston, MA  02134
> 617 300-3700 v/fax
> 617 300-2489 TTY
>
>
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