The once mighty American Online is said to be preparing an announcement that they will allow customers access to their AOL e-mail via 3rd party e-mail clients.  Is this a signal that things are getting rough over at AOL?

Called Open Mail Access, the feature can be used on any e-mail software that supports Internet Message Access Protocol, which lets applications access e-mail off other servers. The launch of the tool, expected Thursday, is the latest step in AOL's attempts to ramp up its service in the face of dial-up subscriber losses and an uncertain future for its broadband product.

But, my personal favorite part of this piece is the line below…

AOL hopes that added offerings will make its service more appealing to existing subscribers and potential new ones.

They hope that this will make its services more appealing huh?  Here's a newsflash for ya AOL.  You're a portal just like all the rest.  Google, MSN, Yahoo….Nothing more and nothing less.  What AOL has failed (or maybe they're just hoping it's just a phase ) to recognize is that while they were trapping users and advertisers in the AOL walled garden, the Internet was springing up all around them and there users were becoming more saavy all the while.  Now that the users realize that there is a forest beyond the first line of trees AOL has little if any chance of being able to stem the tide.  Open e-mail or not, maybe its the power user in me, but I just don't can't see where they go from here.

Oh…and thanks for the collection of really cool CD's that I use as disposable coasters.