Gul
In fact, there is a way to use Outlook Express program (or many other e-mail programs)with AOL however you need to download a small program called eNetBot to do it -
http://www.enetbot.com It is shareware (less than 20US)and you can try it for 30 days.
I use it all the time on both my office computer for personal email (via LAN) and also on my laptop for business and personal mail (setting up multiple accounts through OE)when travelling. Simply dial-up with AOL program (no getting around this!) and then start Outlook Express. Works very well.
Check out their link above and see if its any use to you.
Best!
HA