AOL Version 3.0 (1997)
This is the earliest AOL CD-ROM available. It shows well developed fractal lightning bolt patterns, with multiple levels of forking. Exhibits no concentric arc formation.
A promise of 50 free hours of AOL is printed on the front.
AOL Version 4.0 Gold (1998)
Shows dense, undeveloped lightning patterns and wandering lines with some bias towards concentric paths. Lightning bolts show very little forking.
The front promises 250 free hours of AOL, for one month. It also lists features like Internet Explorer, the "entire Internet" plus more exclusive content, enhanced e-mail with color and pictures, five free e-mail addresses, and free 24-hour help.
AOL Version 5.0 56K Turbo (1999)
Wandering line formations due to separation of foil from plastic facing, with minimal lightning bolt patterning.
The promotional includes 500 free hours (for a month), and support for 56 kbs modems.
AOL Version 5.0 (1999)
This is an unusual CD-ROM. The front surface is unpainted. Instead, the AOL logo and "Version 5.0" are etched on the unused portions of the foil. The used portion of the foil is readily apparent, as a thick ring adjacent to the hub. The lack of paint encouraged dense, well developed lightning bolt patterns, with multiple forks. Interestingly, the dividing line between the used and unused portions of the CD-ROM is burned almost completely around it's perimeter. The etched logo and version markings did not appear to have any significant effect on the path of the lightning patterns. Several bolts appear to start at this interface line. Also, the unused portion of the foil shows more levels of forking in the lightning bolt patterns.
There are no promotional offers printed on this CD-ROM.
AOL Version 5.0 Titanium (1999)
There are few lightning patterns on this CD-ROM. But, there are several well developed concentric arc formations. There are also some wandering line formations. Aside from a few burn marks, little of the paint was lost in the areas where markings occurred. This, combined with the lack of lightning patterns, possibly indicates unusually thick silkscreening. (Detail view is 4x magnification to better show concentric arc formations.)
The disc has no promotional offers, but instead is marked "Free Trial."
AOL Version 7.0 Lord of the Rings Promotion (2001)
CD-ROM shows an unusual combination of several types of patterns, densely packed together. Concentric arc and wandering line markings are exhibited. Lightning bolt patterns are also shown, with various levels of forking.
In addition to the scene from Lord of the Rings shown on the front, the advertising text promises 1000 hours of AOL free, for 45 days.