Neowin.net - AOL is updating their AOL 9 Beta browser with Prescott Skins

AOL is updating their AOL 9 Beta browser with Prescott Skins

Posted by AQUaDeX on 21 May 2003 - 10:51 · 30 comments & 8844 views

AOL previously launched a Blue Hawaii Beta Program for Beta Testers to preview what they will be adding to their future Windows AOL Client Software - AOL 9.0, now the development of AOL 9.0 comes nearer and nearer to completion (The latest Blue Hawaii build 4148.180 actually installs itself to folder named America Online 9 instead of America Online 8 anymore).

So, apart from upgrading their client software, AOL is now also experimenting a new way of handling browser windows, currently known as Prescott Skins, which features skinning support on browser windows as well as a dashboard-like window which reassembles what was seen in MSN 8.

Currently the Prescott Skins test has 3 "Rooms", which demonstrats skinning, windows grouping and the abilities of the dashboard.

View: Read more for screenshots

News source: Neowin BPN Forum

Dashboard and skinning in AOL!

Thanks to window grouping, AOL contents can now be embedded into a larger page similar to "iframe"s, this screenshot shows changed content in the main content space when clicked on one of the top tabs.

"Room" 2, which has a smaller dashboard and when you hover on one of the buttons, a pop-up comes on.

"Room" 3, all sorts of contents and functions can be embedded in those pop-ups.

Hide additional information

About the Author
Full name: Unknown
Forum name: AQUaDeX
Contact: via forum PM
Submissions: Normal · Headline

Total votes: 0

Bookmark on del.icio.us

Advertisement

(4 replies) #1 Posted by startechstudios on 21 May 2003 - 11:13: I quess this is another example where MS does not innovate

#2 Posted by reaper1576 on 21 May 2003 - 11:52: looks nice had something about this staring soon in the uk for beta testing

#3 Posted by dakomo on 21 May 2003 - 12:15: reminds me of wmp9, just worse

#4 Posted by dougkinzinger on 21 May 2003 - 12:19: yes.........much, much worse.

#5 Posted by altermind on 21 May 2003 - 13:12: looks good for the first 1 min.. then becomes boring.. hehe

#6 Posted by jesterzwild on 21 May 2003 - 13:23: Kinda reminds me of MSN Explorer, but obviously there's very little room to really do anything different or innovative in this area. Oh and this is AOL on Windows, not on OS X. The window captions are not part of the AOL skin, but rather a visual style (looks like KoL's iTunes).

#7 Posted by Galley_SimRacer on 21 May 2003 - 13:30: [COLOR=purple][SIZE=7][B]It's Squishy![/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]

#8 Posted by net-cruizer on 21 May 2003 - 13:58: Cool, I wouln't mind trying that. Sure doesn't match that metal Apple look style though, lol.

#9 Posted by aquadex on 21 May 2003 - 16:15: I should have taken the screenshots with Luna theme instead...

Last edited by 7617 on 21 May 2003 - 16:28

#10 Posted by nic on 21 May 2003 - 16:20: gross!!! Look at all that waisted space!! And in some places tiny fonts! I hate these POS services like AOL and MSN! You don't get the real internet. Everything is surrounded by the brand name. You see the internet through corporate eyes.

#11 Posted by netizen on 21 May 2003 - 17:27: Seems they need some lessons in UI design. The idea behind the skins in the shots above appears to be: Boss: Hey, you know how computers can do 16Million colours? Designer: Uh, yeah? Boss: Make me a UI with all of them in! Sounds like an episode of BOFH, only less funny.

#12 Posted by aliengrey on 21 May 2003 - 17:27: wow, looks so damn good it makes me wanna drop my cable modem connection and go back to my old 56k so i can use this new aol, oh wow oh wow oh WOW

(1 reply) #13 Posted by Koyder on 21 May 2003 - 18:00: All the times I scorned MS for having no idea of UI design - hereby I take it back. AOL seems to be a perfect solution for Mac people who'd like to know what it feels like to have a PC.

#14 Posted by powerdafuture on 21 May 2003 - 22:30: Jeez, AOL knows they didn't have to even call it AOL dashboard...stealing the name even.

(1 reply) #15 Posted by Mgz on 21 May 2003 - 22:43: are thay built on Firebird ? or base on IE engine

#16 Posted by wireles316 on 21 May 2003 - 23:17: Seems like its just gonna hog resources and run slow. Looks real clunky.

#17 Posted by 010110 on 22 May 2003 - 02:32: AOL DASHOARD?? RIP OFFFFFF

#18 Posted by Jaxbulls on 22 May 2003 - 02:43: I use AOL occasionally because my family uses it. I have always tried to have an open mind about it but imo this is the ugliest creation I have ever seen in my life. The top toolbar is the only thing that I like. I doubt that I will upgrade if it still looks like this.

#19 Posted by mrogers1113 on 22 May 2003 - 04:26: That has to be THE most disgusting interface I have ever seen. And just when I thought AOL couldn't get any more sluggish and resource-hungry, they give us this. This enormous pile of crap. That's more like an anti-user interface. I can't imagine how I would get anything done if I had to use that.

#20 Posted by mipra on 22 May 2003 - 04:37: really nice compared to MSN EXPLORER

#21 Posted by progamer on 22 May 2003 - 04:46: l will this version of aol with person can send me?

#22 Posted by comped on 22 May 2003 - 05:58: looks freaky alright

#23 Posted by Trade Wind on 22 May 2003 - 06:09: ...lol, and this is Codenamed "Bunker Hill"...after the famous battle with the Brits (MSN) that started the Revolutionary War...and the "Shot Heard Around the World". lol Granted this is just a beta, but if this is AOL's "shot"...then pffft! Go MSN go!! FWIW..."Prescott" was the Colonel in charge of the colonists defense at Bunker Hill.

#24 Posted by cork1958 on 22 May 2003 - 10:34: Only AOHELL could further muck up their already mucked up stuff.

[1]

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Scroll to the Top