Dear Colin & Malc,
I have been with Aol for what might be a year or so over 18 years now! Heavens, didn't realise how long until I just worked it out!!!
On the whole, I have been satisfied with their system. Yes, it has glitches, but so does everything else from time to time.
There were probs. around here about a month ago, and things had not been 100% for about a month (slower than normal, freezing, and Not Responding). Nine times out of ten this is BT and one of their exchanges, however, the Aol programme can be a little touchy sometimes, and if this is noticed, it can pay to reinstall to set things right. I have discovered a programme that cleans not needed Aol files out, and it does seem to work and it did clear lot's of Aol files that had been superseeded (empty but on the system), and everything works ok (mind you, I did cross everything when I pressed delete all!!!).
Can't say I noticed anything untoward with Aol this last two weeks... here anyway. It is always easy to tell when Aol is busy... things just slow down a touch. I have to say that I have always found the helpline very good, and they are always very patient and helpful, and nothing is any trouble... so this in my books gives them lot's of Browne points!
As to moving your screennames, this can be done if you spoke to them very very nicely. There is a special email address ID code you can ask for to do this (can't lay my hands on what it's called at present, but I have it somewhere), that means you can take your email address with you - or at least switch a couple of them anyway - they don't have to do this, but I am sure if spoken to very nicely they would oblige.
All in all I think they are a good ISP.
Regards, Bernard