AOL and MSN: Duel at 8

Spam and smut blocking, along with personalized Web experiences for users, are the big themes in tuned-up Internet access services from America Online and Microsoft.

AOL 8 still delivers far more members-only content (like new music and video offerings), pays closer attention to the needs of its massive population of dial-up customers with services such as making sure accidentally disconnected members know what happened in their chat room while they were gone, and provides the largest online community of any ISP. Too many of MSN 8's features are available free at MSN.com to make a switch from another ISP worthwhile.

For AOL's 35 million members, AOL 8 tackles spam with improved junk mail filters--but unfortunately it hasn't improved its crude e-mail system, which forces you to double-click and open each e-mail just to preview the message's contents. A new ad policy that restricts pop-ups from third-party advertisers, as well as AOL itself, offers partial compensation. (Note: PC World is an AOL content provider.)

MSN, with 9 million subscribers, nips at AOL's heels with new members-only software such as Money (for online bill payments), Encarta Online for reference, and Picture It for digital photography.

A welcome MSN 8 addition is an e-mail module, closely mimicking Outlook Express, that contains terrific antispam controls and preview panes. Also offered are its first-ever parental controls, which strive to keep kids safe while online.

MSN 8 also has a new, highly configurable My MSN start page, while AOL 8 offers new emoticons and sound options for AIM, as well as six new but fairly similar Welcome pages.

Pricing for the two services is comparable. For unlimited dial-up Internet access and membership, you'll spend some $24 a month for AOL versus $22 a month for MSN.

SUMMARY

AOL 8 America Online. Clever updates freshen a familiar, well-done service. List: $24 per month for unlimited dial-up access and membership privileges

SUMMARY

MSN 8 Microsoft. New offerings are good, but not enough to coax a switch. List: $22 per month for unlimited dial-up access and membership privileges