AOL Inc., the struggling Internet company, is asking for 2,500 volunteers to accept buyouts, looking to cut its work force by at least a third as it prepares to spin off from Time Warner Inc. next month. (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h-bw2mtkAoLbM_7kXyoEIX0dVYYgD9C2LPKO0)

The company, which has about 6,900 workers total, said it will resort to layoffs if it does not get enough people to accept buyouts. The voluntary offer is open to all employees from Dec. 4 though Dec. 11, AOL spokeswoman Tricia Primrose said.

I thought they had died just about the same time as Netscape..:o

Where the heck have I been?

Makes you wonder what those 6900 employees have been doing all this time!?

-Mike

AOL really had it's peak with dial up BBS and internet. Their business has been going south since high speed services arrived and started being supplied by cable and telephone companies. They still have a few products such as providing home pages, search engines and entertainment services for ISPs. These days, they are eclipsed by companies like Yahoo.

But, but...who's going to mail out all those AOL free-trial CD's?!

I had no idea AOL was still in business. Wonder how they can afford even 9500 people. I'd take the buyout.

AOL shareholders are likely hoping for a buyout offer from MS or Yahoo. I suspect that most of the top talent left AOL for Yahoo or other companies years ago. Those that are left will have a tough time finding another job these days. OTOH, if the company does get purchased, I doubt the new owners will be as generous.

I wonder if this will effect Winamp down the road