AOL disk collecting is the collecting of CD-ROMs and diskettes distributed by the America Online company, containing computer software for accessing the America Online service. These CD-ROMs and diskettes are somewhat infamous for their excessive distribution. While disliked by many Americans who received them en masse during the late 1990s and early 2000s, AOL disks also provide an entertaining hobby for a few. The collector need not harbor any positive feelings toward the AOL Time Warner corporation, nor even be an AOL subscriber, although some of the larger collections are held by former and current AOL employees.

While there are no official figures released by AOL Time Warner, it is estimated there are over 1000 disk-designs in existence and over a billion disks have been produced in total. This direct mail marketing strategy is the brainchild of Janice Brandt, who joined the company in 1993 as the Vice President of Marketing. It was a huge success, and soon after AOL became the biggest internet service provider in the world.

[edit] Characteristics of AOL disks

Collectible Bugs Bunny AOL CD-ROM in original packaging.

Various AOL diskettes with packaging removed.

Collecting of AOL disks started becoming popular as AOL introduced intricate designs on the labels of their CD-ROMs. Some of these feature references to movies and pop culture cartoon characters such as Bugs Bunny. Others have marketing terms printed on the CD-ROM such as "Gold", "Platinum" or "Titanium". Still others are special themed versions for holidays such as Christmas. Finally, there are a number of disks not fitting into any particular category, of arbitrary design.

When looking at an AOL CD-ROM or diskette, there are certain characteristics to look for besides the overall design:

• Packaging - AOL disks come in various packaging options including cardboard holders, jewel cases, DVD-size boxes, tin boxes, particle board boxes, and various plastic enclosures. Tin boxes are especially popular with collectors. It is generally recommended not to remove the packaging in order to preserve quality and value of the disk.
• Media - while AOL CD-ROMs are quite widespread, there were also a number of 3.5" AOL diskettes released, especially for older versions. These are considered more valuable. Especially coveted by collectors are 5.25" AOL floppies.^[1]
• Version Number - this would be the version number of the AOL software such as "AOL 9.0". Older versions of disks (especially 3.0 and below) are usually considered more valuable. It is somewhat unusual, although possible, for two or more versions to share the same design.
• Number of Free Hours - The number of free hours advertised on the CD-ROM. Often two disks with the same design will have a different number of free hours.
• Language and locality - AOL CD-ROMs come in a variety of languages and are released in several countries. Non-English CD-ROMs are considered more valuable in the United States due to the difficulty of obtaining them.
• Release Year - the year a CD-ROM or diskette was released. Usually printed above or next to the serial number.
• Serial Number - the majority of (but not all) AOL disks have a serial number printed on them. Sometimes two disks with identical characteristics and designs will have different serial numbers. For all intents and purposes, only when two disks have the same serial number are they considered identical, although the true nature of the serial numbers is not commonly known outside of AOL.

[edit] Obtaining AOL disks

AOL stopped distributing their mass mailing of CDs as of August 2006. Older version discs can still be acquired from AOL CD Disk collecting websites. See External links below.

[edit] Controversy

The mass distribution of these disks was seen as wasteful by many people and led to protest groups. One such was No More AOL CDs, a web-based effort by two IT workers ^[2] to collect one million disks. The intent was to return the disks to AOL in an attempt to "end this wasteful practice while sharing a laugh or two".^[3] The website was started in August 2001. An estimated 410,176 CDs were collected by August 2007 when the project was shut down.^[3] It was also widely seen as annoying to receive the CDs in such mass. AOL CDs were recognized as #1 on PCWorld's top ten list of most annoying tech products.^[4]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• #1 Site for AOL CD Install Disk Sales & Collecting - AOL CD Disks including 9.0 VR Vista Ready Version. Get any older version of America Online install CD Disks. Site also has information on AOL Collectible CDs with an informative insight into the hobby of collecting AOL CDs.
• Lydia's AOL Disks - Collection of over 2,500 AOL CDs and disks, including the original version 1.0's, 5.25" floppies, and foreign CDs.
• Need an older version AOL CD Install Disk? - All versions of AOL CD DISKS including 9.0 VR Vista Ready. Easily get the AOL CD Disk you need. All CDs are new genuine factory sealed with fast delivery.
• cdROMcollector.com AOL collection organized by number.