Help for AOL users of Bookmark Buddy

AOL/CompuServe 2000 users

AOL's built-in web browser is not designed to interact with other software such as Bookmark Buddy or URL Organizer. However you don't need to be trapped into using AOL's web browser nor the pathetic Favorite Places management facility. Here's how to liberate yourself!

Below you'll find a tutorial to guide you through importing your Favorite Places into Bookmark Buddy or URL Organizer. You'll also find some help on how to use another web browser with your AOL Internet connection. Bookmark Buddy and URL Organizer work best with Internet Explorer, Netscape/Mozilla and Opera, so take your pick.

A good source of general information and tips for AOL users is Computer-Lite's AOL Help.

Importing your Favorite Places

In order to import your AOL or CompuServe 2000 Favorite Places into Bookmark Buddy (v3.2 or later) or URL Organizer (v2.4.16 or later), you must first save them to a separate 'Favorite Places' file. Once you'd done that, Bookmark Buddy or URL Organizer looks after the rest.

AOL version 5 or later, CompuServe version 6 or later

1)	Launch AOL.
2)	Select 'Favorite Places' from the 'Favorites' menu.
3)	Click on the 'Save/Replace' button at the bottom-right of the Favorite Places window.
4)	Leave 'Save the Favorite Places …' option selected.
5)	Click on 'OK'.
6)	Choose a suitable place to save the Favorite Places file. If necessary, make a note of where you save the file so that you can find it again with URL Organizer.
7)	Click 'Save'.
8)	In URL Organizer, choose Import from the Lists menu (click on the Help button on the Import URL Collection dialog for further guidance).

AOL version 4

1)	Launch AOL.
2)	Select 'Favorite Places' from the 'Favorites' menu.
3)	Right-click on the 'Favorite Places' folder at the top of the Favorite Places window.
4)	Select 'Save Folder As' from the pop-up menu.
5)	Choose a suitable place to save the Favorite Places file. If necessary, make a note of where you save the file so that you can find it again with URL Organizer.
6)	Click 'Save'. (You can close the new window that opens listing your Favorite Places again.)
7)	In URL Organizer, choose Import from the Lists menu (click on the Help button on the Import URL Collection dialog for further guidance).

Using a different browser

How do I configure another browser to work with AOL?

You should be able to use any browser of your choosing over an AOL Internet connection. You just need to configure the browser to use the 'LAN' (local area network) rather than try to establish a Dial-Up Networking connection: In Internet Options (Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Connections), choose NOT to dial a connection, but use the LAN (local area network).

Launch AOL and your chosen web browser. Use the AOL software to establish your Internet connection. Once you've finished checking your mail or whatever, minimize the AOL browser and go surfing with the other browser.

For more information, see the Microsoft Support page or the somewhat outdated Netscape Support page.


Last updated: 26 May 2015	Privacy statement	© Edward Leigh (2000-2015)