AOL winsock help page - borrowed from AOL
What is Winsock?
The new version of AOL for Windows lets you run great programs such as Real Audio, Internet Phone, Netscape, and Virtual Places. This powerful and fun software is now available to you without extra charge. The feature that makes it all possible is called "Winsock."
Winsock is nothing more than a small file (WINSOCK.DLL) that lets you run third-party Internet applications such as Netscape and Real Audio over your AOL connection. AOL's version of Winsock is customized to work efficiently with America Online, and it is installed automatically when you install the AOL for Windows software.
NOTE: Versions of Winsock created by software vendors or access providers other than AOL will not work with AOL, nor will AOL's Winsock work with other access providers.
Where do I find applications to use with AOL's Winsock?
You can download Winsock applications from many places on AOL. All applications available directly from AOL have been tested with AOL's Winsock.
* On AOL, from Winsock Central (keyword: Winsock), click on Software Library.
* On AOL, from the Telnet Center (keyword: Telnet), click on Net Clients.
* On the Internet, use Stroud's List, a comprehensive list of Winsock applications, at the following Web site: http://www.enterprise.net/cwsapps/. Many of these Winsock applications have NOT been tested with AOL's Winsock.
* Commercial Winsock applications are available at the vendors' Web sites. For example, to download Real Audio, go to Real Audio's Web site at http://www.realaudio.com/.
How do I use Winsock applications?
With Winsock installed, simply log onto America Online. You will be ready to run a broad range of third-party Internet applications.
Learning to use a third-party application is like learning any program--you must install the program, run it (in this case while logged onto AOL), and learn what the program does and how to get around.
You can use more than one third-party application at the same time. You can also browse the World Wide Web using more than one browser at the same time (for example, AOL's browser and Netscape's).
NOTE: If you exit from AOL or your AOL connection is broken for any reason, you automatically exit from any open Winsock application as well.
Can I use AOL's Winsock through my local Internet provider?
No, AOL's Winsock has been optimized to work with America Online and contains neither the dialer nor the configuration settings you would need to use it through a local provider.
Can I use 32-bit Winsock applications with AOL's Winsock?
Not at the moment. The WINSOCK.DLL file available now works with 16-bit applications only. AOL is working on a 32-bit Winsock and will post information about it when it becomes available.
When does AOL for Windows load AOL's version of Winsock?
At the beginning of an AOL session (when you log onto AOL), the AOL for Windows software checks to see whether there's a Winsock already loaded into memory. If there isn't one, the AOL software loads the AOL version of WINSOCK.DLL from the Winsock folder.
If I'm using Windows 95 and AOL 3.0 for Windows, which version of a Winsock application should I request from a Web site?
Even though you're running Windows 95 (a 32-bit application) as your operating system, the current version of AOL 3.0 for Windows is 16-bit. Therefore, you must download a 16-bit version of the Winsock application you wish to run. Specify either "16-bit" for the application type, or "Win3.1" for your operating system. You will receive the correct (16-bit) version for use over AOL.
What if I have other Winsocks already loaded?
If you have a 32-bit Winsock installed, AOL's Winsock will work properly. If you have another 16-bit Winsock installed, that Winsock may prevent the AOL Winsock from installing, which can prevent applications from running properly. If you intend to use AOL as your only way of accessing the Internet, you may want to delete or rename other WINSOCK.DLL files on your hard drive.