Move Over Chat, Money Gains Popularity on AOL

One of the most popular channels on America Online, is about making money. I'm Fred Fishkin with Bootcamp, a report on computers and technology. AOL has surpassed 12 million subscribers and a great many are using the Personal Finance Channel. Director of programming Rob ShenkÂ…

"I think AOL has an image as a very family oriented, evening style service. But I think what's interesting to note is that the Personal Finance Channel has quickly become one of the most popular channels on AOL. We have more than five million active users of our channel. We're adding right now ten thousand new users of stock quotes a day. That currently makes us the largest stock quote provider in the world."

There's a lot of member to member communication. And experts will tell investors to be careful about information from unknown sources. But Shenk saysÂ….

" We see that as an added benefit, where the great wealth of knowledge and experience that exists in America can be shared much more efficiently than in any other traditional way. Certainly, there's always pitfalls with the subject of investing and we do urge caution and fact checking. "

Shenk says there has been a dramatic change in the kinds of people who are investing onlineÂ…

" This is just not the technology elite or the Wall Street elite that's using these services. This is really middle America pouring online to get better returns."

The channel allows users to choose between a variety of well known online discount brokers.