[risk]

Its our culture we should be proud of it. Especially since many of us were spending our childhoods together virtually. The internet was much different then but I sincerely appreciate it when those of us who were around then, in any capacity, reminisce.

There are no more new AOLers and those with fun memories associated with the platform are always going to be more special to me than many others just because that's where I learned to computer and I've many delightful experiences there.

[notadev]

I can’t upvote this comment enough. It really speaks to something I’ve felt for so long about AOL. You are right that it was a different Internet, one where we teens could make mistakes while coming of age on a new communications medium without lifelong consequences we see so many young people fall into now. AOL got me into programming and tech in general. I also met some great people who, despite perhaps never meeting them face-to-face, made an impact on the person I came to be. It’s a shame that nearly all of those relationships ended, but it is what it is. I love when stories like this pop up once in a while because it feels good being reminded that I’m not alone in my experiences.