what is ping reponse timeout mean?

["shih lin" <shlinlin at 37 dot com>]

dear cygwin user:

  after I connect to aol, I get aol's ip, then I went to www.network-tools.com 
to use its trace and ping to check this address, the result of ping say time 
out.

  the result of trace at last 4 parts always response timeout except one time I 
change my XP home ed window security (firewall setting) (I can not remembered 
which), it success report to host name with that ip without timeout.

   first, what is timeout mean for both ping and trace? 
   and second, should I change my xp's window firewall setting so It won't have 
timeout.  -- and can it finally let outsider see my website's test page by 
typing that aol assigned public?

  highly appreciate your help, and thanks in advance
eric


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