A few months ago I wrote about a service (Re-Route.com) that helped AOL users wanting to switch to another ISP while automatically forwarding their AOL mail. The only problem was that after the first month it was no longer free and you still had to hand-copy all your messages and contact list to your new service.

Well, not anymore! Thanks to a new and free service that easily lets you switch to another ISP and automatically moves over your contact list and old messages, all the while letting senders know your new address.

Once AOL has you, they just don't want to let you go. Finally, there is a service that will make moving over to the real Internet a snap! Trueswitch.com has a free service that:

• Transfers e-mail and address book data from AOL to Outlook or Outlook Express;
   

• Has an automated means to notify everyone in your current address book of your new e-mail address;
   

• Automatically forwards e-mail originally sent to your AOL address to your new, *true* Internet address and also allows you to set up an automatic response to senders telling them about your new address (i.e. change of address notice);
   

• Automatically will cancel your AOL account after a predetermined period of time so you don't have to keep on paying for it after you have completed the switchover process.

This service was originally designed for small to medium sized ISPs to help new customers switch over to their services. However, for the time being they are making it freely available to individual consumers.

I am still amazed at how many real estate professionals continue to use AOL with all of its inherent limitations. Doing business online with AOL as your primary access is like going to battle with one arm tied behind your back —not a wise thing indeed.

If you would rather switch than fight, now is the time to do it with Trueswitch.com —and welcome to the real Internet!