Do the pictures appear blurry to you?

America Online utilizes a graphics compression software. This graphics compression software converts normal web graphic formats such as .jpg to a proprietary format with the extention .ART. This can lead to images appearing blotchy and blurry, with striated colors. All AOL members have the option of deselecting the utilization of this proprietary graphics compression software.

You can turn AOL's graphics compression and caching off.

Here's how:


AOL 8.0
1. Start AOL.
2. Choose the "Settings" drop down menu.
3. Select "Preferences," then "Internet Properties (www)," Then click on the "Web Graphics" tab.
4. Choose "Never compress graphics" then click "OK".

AOL 7.0
1. Start AOL.
2. Choose the "Settings" drop down menu.
3. Select "Preferences," then "Internet Properties (www)," then "Internet Options," then "Web Graphics."
4. Click on "Never Compress Graphics."
5. Click "Apply," then click "OK"


AOL 6.0
1. Start AOL.
2. Under "AOL Anywhere" choose the "Settings" drop down menu.
3. Select "Preferences," then "Internet Properties (www)," then "Internet Options," then "Web Graphics."
4. Click on "Never Compress Graphics."
5. Click "Apply," then click "OK"


AOL 4.0, 5.0
1. Click on MY AOL.
2. On the drop down menu click PREFERENCES.
3. Double click the WWW icon.
4. On the tabbed menu, click on the WEB GRAPHICS tab, on the right.
5. Uncheck the box "Use compressed graphics."
6. Press "OK."


AOL 3.0
1. Start AOL, click on MEMBERS.
2. On the drop down menu click PREFERENCES.
3. Double click the WWW icon.
4. On the tabbed menu, click on the WEB GRAPHICS tab, on the right.
5. Uncheck the box "Use compressed graphics."
6. Press "OK."