‘AOL for Dummies’ author reacts to AOL shutting down its dial-up service
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (NBC, KYMA) - The end has come for AOL's dial-up service and the author who wrote "AOL for Dummies" reflects on the end of an era which helped millions of people navigate online access for the first time.
John Kaufeld is the man behind dozens of books when it comes to late 90s, early 2000s technology and programs, but the one he says changed it all was America Online (AOL).
Dial-up is a sound that might bring you to a time in anyone's past, but now it is officially a piece of history.
Earlier last week, AOL pulled the plug on dial-up internet and someone who knew it best was Kaufeld himself as he literally wrote the book on it.
He began with "Paradox for Dummies, "FoxPro for Dummies" and eventually, "AOL for Dummies," which is one of Kaufeld's most successful books.
"We probably passed about 1.5 million books," Kaufeld remembered.
Those books helped a lot of people get online for the first time.
"It was cool! It was cool to be part of that and to think 'Wow! You know, I am helping people accomplish something. I'm helping people connect, I'm helping people send and receive email,'" Kaufeld expressed.
Kaufeld says even though putting these guides together was always a challenge, it was a challenge well worth it.
He says when thinks about AOL ending dial up for good, he says it makes him feel old and nostalgic for a simpler time.
"I feel like we had a little more patience with each other. And we had spaces to connect and get together. I feel like the online world doesn't have those shared space anymore. Those spaces that we have are much more rage-filled," Kaufeld explained.
Kaufeld admits it is fun to reminisce, but he sees the death of dial-up as something we shouldn't mourn, but instead carry on the lessons it taught us.
"I would encourage people to look back with fond memories but keep looking for new places to connect. And don't be afraid to try new technology," Kaufeld remarked.
Because who knows? In another 20 years we might be looking back on today's tech the same way we remember this sound.
