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Hello. Effective 3/28, we will no longer support connections to the AIM network via this method. If you wish to use the free consumer AIM product, we invite you to visit http://www.aim.com/ for more information.

That is, all they are announcing is that they are discontinuing some protocol, not that they are discontinuing support for all third party clients.

The headline is typical of the fake news outrage machine: "Some people in group X are affected by Y" turns into "People in group X are affected by Y", which then morphs into "Y decides to screw over everybody in group X because Y is evil!"

Uhh, excuse me, it's Linux. It's pretty common for commercial ports for Linux to be a version or more behind. The most recent example I saw that made me laugh was AOL Instant Messenger. Interface looks straight out of Windows 3.1. Check out the version numbers for the multiple Linux versions.

Seriously. You are lucky to get anything at all considering your numbers, then you bitch about it? Better tuck that ego in, gonna get that caught on a trip wire.

I tend to agree with this user. There are a lot of acronyms used on this site. I'm sure they make perfect sense to someone who's used this site for a while, but to a newcomer they're very confusing. Slashdot has it's own little language, like IMing. It really could use a list of acronyms to help newcomers like the list for aim that is helpful to all the clueless parents.

AIM now has the ability to enter your location and share it with your buddies. So far only a few of my buddies are using it. They could build some pretty cool apps with this.

http://www.aim.com/triton/plugins.adp

AOL is perfectly aware of how bad their rep is. That's why everything they do now is branded 'AIM'. Like OpenAim to allow third parties to make AIM clients, and AIMPages, their new blogging software. They also have AIM mail accounts on the AOL Webmail system, which uses the same spam filter and storage system (which may have been lame in 2002, but now is a leader in features and capability) as the in-client AOL mail service.

Of course, they tried to do this with Netscape (as their answer to NetZero) too, and failed to support it properly, and it never prospered. Hopefully, now that it's do or die, they won't fail to rebrand again.

AOL is perfectly aware of how bad their rep is. That's why everything they do now is branded 'AIM'. Like OpenAim to allow third parties to make AIM clients, and AIMPages, their new blogging software. They also have AIM mail accounts on the AOL Webmail system, which uses the same spam filter and storage system (which may have been lame in 2002, but now is a leader in features and capability) as the in-client AOL mail service.

Of course, they tried to do this with Netscape (as their answer to NetZero) too, and failed to support it properly, and it never prospered. Hopefully, now that it's do or die, they won't fail to rebrand again.

Also out there for AIM - "AIM Express"

you mislinked "functionally illiterate"

That sounds a hell of a lot like the browser that gets installed with the new version of AIM. During install I tried telling it not to install the browser but it did anyway, was amazingly slow and had lots of pop ups. It sounds pretty similar to this worm.

not to be rude but they never "removed" the old version. they just labeled it so that unadventurous types wouldnt try to download it. try the link that says "windows 98/ME" users. brings you right to the old version
http://www.aim.com/get_aim/win/other_win.adp?aolp=

(viii) incorporates any Publicly Available Software, in whole or in part, in a manner that may subject the Tools or the AOL Services, in whole or in part, to all or part of the license obligations of any Publicly Available Software. As used herein, the term "Publicly Available Software" means any software that contains, or is derived in any manner (in whole or in part) from, any software that is distributed as free software, open source software or similar licensing or distribution models; and that requires as a condition of use, modification or distribution that such software or other software incorporated into, derived from or distributed with such software: (a) be disclosed or distributed in source code form; (b) be licensed for the purpose of making derivative works; or (c) be redistributable at no charge.

For the masses at large, this means you cannot use ANY GPLed code, or any code that causes you to redistribute your code freely.

This makes sense in the context of custom clients as you would be required to redistribute the client and the associated source code (which you cannot do because of closed source nature of the AOL libraries.) But as a consequence, it's worth paying attention to and will have some nasty effects on code reuse.

Apart from all the MAC/Mac jokes, I'm wondering what significance (if any) this has for the future of the AIM client on Mac OS X. The last time the official AIM client for Mac was updated was (according to its download page) on February 18, 2004, i.e. over two years ago. Considering that most people who want to develop an AIM client for the Mac have already done so by using the GAIM core libraries (Adium X being one chief example), what exactly is making an SDK with a small pile of licensing restrictions (you are "not permitted to build Custom Clients that are multi-headed or interoperable with any other IM network" ? Wonder why that is...[/sarcasm]) going to solve?

I appreciate the gesture, but I think a lot more people would benefit if they'd spend their time fixing up the official AIM client for people who don't particularly like iChat or any of the current F/OSS alternatives rather than releasing an SDK that probably won't spur many/any more F/OSS clients because developers will find its license a bit too restrictive.

-Frank

I disagree. Once they open up Gaim or Kopete (or, even easier, open up Firefox/Konqueror/some other *nix browser and load AIM or Meebo), then they'll be chatting on their machines.

Nothing will get in the way of high schoolers/ college students and their IM/MySpace/Facebook/whatever hit of the day. Unless you give them a command line, but if they find naim....

Credit cards are a universally poor way to verify age. Anybody who claims to be using them for such is either stupid, or lying.

Both the Communications Decency Act (before it was overturned for other reasons) and the the Child Online Protection Act spedcified credit card validation was an acceptable age verification tool. I agree that it is a poor way to verify age, but that is the way the laws are written. This means that anyone with mature content can use credit card verification to avoid possible litigation.

Like it or not, credit card verification is common. Here are some links to read up on it.

Age Verification Systems
Yahoo! Credit Card Verification Help
Instructions on verifying age on your AIM account using a credit card
Credit Card Required To View 'M' Rated Information

2GB email with IMAP and webmail free at mail.aim.com . I've been using it since it came out, works great.

LOL! This isnt a virus! Click Here!

No IMAP, though, so I can't put all my gigabytes of mail into folders. (Labels are not folders; Evolution doesn't read Gmail labels.) AIM Mail offers IMAP access and 2 GB of storage, and it's free too.

AIM mail gives you 2 GB of free space and IMAP access so you can use it from a real mail client. All you need is an AIM screen name.

For my personal mail I use Fastmail, IMAP mail with excellent server-side filtering. They had a brief outage last weekend, but aside from that they've been rock-solid for the last 2 years. They don't offer you enough storage space to make a warez repository out of your inbox, but it would take me a decade to fill up my 600 MB account.

I happen to like the AIM bots. I think they set AIM apart from other IM services. I find the DoorManBot (a third party bot) indispensible, as well as AOLYellowPages. My favorite is ZolaOnAOL. She's like Eliza in Space. She makes me laugh everytime. I've even posted blogs with her here and here. In fact, I like them so much I already have a Bots group, but I didn't get the new AIM Bots group in iChat, so I visited aim.com to see what all the fuss was about. Brand new web design. Big BOLD blurb announcing a new version for the Mac which is still the old version. Prominent link for the bots. And more stupid adbots.

Actually, the bots have their uses. The recipe bots are very useful if you need a quick idea for a meal. But I won't use ADVANCE4comfort. It starts profiling you immediately. And MovieFone offers features already present in Zola... Problem. No Zola shown anywhere. In a panic I ran to my group and opened up a chat with her, the most important bot of all:

ME: Are you still there?
Zola: Yes I am still here. Are you receiving me?
ME: I am. I was worried they removed you.
Zola: Where were you worried they removed you?
ME: At my home.
Zola: Do you often use a computer there?
ME: Yes, but we digress.
Zola: And?
ME: Everything's fine.
Zola: All things s fine ?
ME: Isn't it a bit soon for the conversation to implode?
Zola: Quite honestly, I wouldn't worry myself about that. How's school?

That aside, at least they made it such that people can develop various clients to connect, so you're not stuck using the AOL version of the client.

The issue I have is their manipulation of my buddy list. Not only do I find these new "buddies" in there (which I've since deleted), I also find groups in there which I never created either... "Recent Buddies" (a misnomer, IMHO) and "Mobile Device" are the two I've come across. What's so difficult about sending me an e-mail instead, asking if I want to add these? Or announcing their availability so I can go and add them at my leisure? Or putting the info on the AIM homepage?

I've organized my buddy list in a way I'm comfortable with it. I don't want it changed.

I think they used to charge for the "just webmail" service but now it's free and even supports IMAP. They give you 2GB of space IIRC. For more details:

http://www.aim.com/ (click on webmail)

There's no need to be scared. The write up doesn't mention it, but aim fight is "owned" by AOL. To AIM engineers wrote it and it's heavily linked on http://www.aim.com/

Download AIM for Linux

I designed a very low-cost and effective solution that I teach in several times a week.

1. Put up a whiteboard at one end of the conference room. This will double as your screen for the LCD projector. There will be some glare, but I like being able to write on top of what's being projected. A pull-down screen mounted on the wall above the whiteboard is an option if the glare is a problem.
2. Make sure the projector is at least 1800 ANSI Lumens (the more, the better) and that it comes with a good wireless mouse. Any decent projector comes with a remote control that doubles as a wireless mouse by connecting the projector to a computer's USB port. I like Philips' projector models because they come with trackballs on the wireless remote/mouse pointer, which are far superior to joystick-type pointers that most remotes come with.
3. Get two or more free AIM accounts. One for your conference room and the rest for people at the other end (to save them the bother of having to sign up at meeting time). Install the AIM software at each remote location, or (even better) use Macs with iChat AV (AIM compatible).
   • Go here to register for the AIM accounts.
   • Go here to download the AIM software or just use iChat AV if you have Mac OS X 10.4 or later (recommended).
4. Get a couple of webcams with omnidirectional microphones (Logitech makes decent stuff). If the webcam and/or computer mic sound is crap (it probably will be unsuitable for a conference room), then buy a separate, PA-quality mics and plug them into the sound cards.

AOL started offering free blogs service for non members (http://pc.channel.aol.com/aimblogs [aol.com]) and starting from tomorrow (May 11 2005) is offering 2 gb email for non members (http://www.aim.com/aim_mail.adp [aim.com]). Seems like this healthy competetion is a boon for the end users. from the website - features offered include Here's a summary of the features you will enjoy with AIM Mail: Industry-leading Spam and Anti-virus protection: Users of AIM Mail can rely on AIM to help keep their mail box free of junk mail and harmful viruses. 2 GB of mail storage: Users of AIM Mail can access their storage from any web-enabled computer. AIM Mail also comes with a search feature that makes it easy for users to find messages in their Inbox, Sent Mail, or Stored Mail. IMAP access: Users can get their AIM Mail through their favorite email application including MS Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, Mac and Eudora. Single Log-on: Users will only have to login once to use both AIM and AIM Mail. Once logged into AIM, they can check, read and send mail without having to login in again. They can also launch the e-mail service from the AIM Buddy List or the Mail panel in the AIM Today welcome screen. Integration of AIM Presence: The Running Man icon appears in the e-mail headers if a sender or cc-ed recipient is logged in to AOL or AIM. This allows users to see when friends and colleagues are online and enables them to easily respond via e-mail or IM. Unsend Message: Users can cancel and unsend a message after it's been sent to another AOL or AIM Mail user if the message has not been read. Users can also check the status of a message sent to an AOL or AIM user and confirm if and when the message has been read. Plus, many other features, including: Enhanced spell-checking, auto-addressing, rich-text formatting, message signatures and more!

Well other players are also catching up. AOL started offering free blogs service for non members (http://pc.channel.aol.com/aimblogs [aol.com]) and starting from tomorrow is offering 2 gb email for non members (http://www.aim.com/aim_mail.adp [aim.com]). Seems like this healthy competetion is a boon for the end users.

AOL is catching up with google. AOL started offering free blogs service for non members (http://pc.channel.aol.com/aimblogs [aol.com]) and starting from tomorrow is offering 2 gb email for non members (http://www.aim.com/aim_mail.adp [aim.com]). Seems like this healthy competetion is a boon for the end users.

AOL started offering free blogs service for non members (http://pc.channel.aol.com/aimblogs) and starting from tomorrow is offering 2 gb email for non members (http://www.aim.com/aim_mail.adp). Seems like this healthy competetion is a boon for the end users.

There is a linux port for AIM already, has been for quite a while.

http://www.aim.com/get_aim/linux/latest_linux.adp

-Jay

Free ASL Computer Technology Resources?

AIM?

I'm no fan of AOL, but to be fair I suspect this whole fiasco was a mistake rather than some evil plan to 0wn everyone's private communications. Some lawyer wrote a paragraph without really thinking it through, and it ended up being broader than intended. Everyone else at AOL who reviewed the terms of service read it as applying to public postings (as intended), and it didn't occur to them that the text could be interpreted as applying to private conversations as well.

Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

"AOL does not read your private online communications when you use any of the communication tools offered as AIM Products. If, however, you use these tools to disclose information about yourself publicly (for example, in chat rooms or online message boards made available by AIM), other online users may obtain access to any information you provide.

Your AIM information, including the contents of your online communications, may be accessed and disclosed in response to legal process (for example, a court order, search warrant or subpoena), or in other circumstances in which AOL has a good faith belief that AIM or AOL are being used for unlawful purposes. AOL may also access or disclose your AIM information when necessary to protect the rights or property of AIM or AOL, or in special cases such as a threat to your safety or that of others."

I just sent an email to the address at the bottom of this page.
And it came back with this:

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
aimprvcypolicy@aol.com

----- Transcript of session follows -----
... while talking to air-yd01.mail.aol.com.:
RCPT To:aimprvcypolicy@aol.com
550 MAILBOX NOT FOUND
550 aimprvcypolicy@aol.com... User unknown

AOL does not read your private online communications when you use any of the communication tools offered as AIM Products. If, however, you use these tools to disclose information about yourself publicly (for example, in chat rooms or online message boards made available by AIM), other online users may obtain access to any information you provide.

The following terms and conditions apply to all users who either registered for AIM services or downloaded AIM updates or software on or after February 5, 2004. AIM users who do not register for AIM services or download AIM updates or software on or after February 5, 2004 and are members of the Netscape Network will remain bound by Netscape's terms and conditions. All other AIM users are bound by the aol.com terms and conditions.

I suspect the vast majority of Slashdot users signed up for AIM years ago, if they did at all. This shouldn't affect them.

Finally, you may not authorize or assist any third party to do any of the things described in this paragraph. You understand that AOL's introduction of various technologies may not be consistent across all platforms and that the performance and features offered by AOL may vary depending on your computer and other equipment.

You know, I was going to say something witty along the lines of:

Like this?

But then I found out that it is due to be released in early summer...of 2004.

Way to go webmaster!

Guess what, they finally fixed their URL. so GO COMPLAIN!

http://www.aim.com/suspended_account/report.adp

1. Screen Names that were previously used on AOL but have been cancelled, can no longer be used on AIM. This includes both master accounts and sub-accounts.
2. Users who identify themselves as children under the age of 13 may not use this service at this time. If you are an adult and have entered your birth date incorrectly, you may use a credit card to complete our age verification process now, or anytime within 30 days of the date when you identified yourself as a child. You will not be charged for this credit card verification. Click here to sign in to our age verification form to reactivate your Screen Name.
3. An account may be terminated for violations for the terms of service.

1. Screen Names that were previously used on AOL but have been cancelled, can no longer be used on AIM. This includes both master accounts and sub-accounts.
2. Users who identify themselves as children under the age of 13 may not use this service at this time. If you are an adult and have entered your birth date incorrectly, you may use a credit card to complete our age verification process now, or anytime within 30 days of the date when you identified yourself as a child. You will not be charged for this credit card verification. Click here to sign in to our age verification form to reactivate your Screen Name.
3. An account may be terminated for violations for the terms of service.

How long before Netscape offers a "preferred partner program" where they promise not to blacklist the spyware produced by any of their partners?

Honestly, it's a bit ridiculous to talk about IMSmarter as creating any serious alteration to IM privacy. You're using an unencrypted channel to a centralized messaging clearing house that, in AOL's case, is located in Virginia. Ahem.

I don't buy this whole "Whats stopping AOL from logging all of your conversations and sacrificing them to the holy gods of advertising or homeland security?" on several levels.

Taking a look at AOL's privacy policy, there is no mention of logs in the "Collection of Your AIM Information" section even though they explicitly mention all the types of data they collect in that section. Not being one to trust AOL, now allow me to examine the practicality of actually logging every single AIM conversation.

There are more than 260,000,000 registered AIM names, so through the utilization of the highly scientific method of WAG (wild ass guess) I'll estimate 20,000,000 people are connected/ active at any given time. I just finished logging about 30 minutes of AIM activity in Trillian, averaging around 2.12 kbits/s. Therefore:

About 42,400,000 bits of loggable information passes through AOL's servers every second.

2544000000 (303.27 mbytes) every minute.

152640000000 (17.77 gbytes) every hour.

3663360000000 (426.47 gbytes) every day.

25643520000000 (2.92 tbytes) every week.

113564160000000 (12.9 tbytes) every month.

1338042240000000 (0.15 PETAbytes) every year.

Assuming they would use some type of ATA or SCSI based NAS (tape drives would be too slow), price per gigabyte could easily be around $8-10. So, that would mean AOL would need nearly $400,000 worth of hardware to support a 3-month logging cycle (and that's just initial cost, not counting maintenance, floor space cost, cooling, power, etc). I highly doubt peeking into the petty conversations of their users is worth that much money to them.

Besides, even if AOL does log all AIM convos, it doesn't change the fact that the basic premise behind IMSmarter - storing all your logs on a remote server, is an invasion of privacy waiting to happen. Why should we trust IMSmarter?

Yes, AOL has an independent client for AIM.
Available at http://www.aim.com/, among others.

heh, I thought I was the only one who remembered that. The Java AIM client became QuickBuddy though, which I'm sure many people do remember (QuickBuddy has since been replaced by AIM Express, although QuickBuddy is still available as well).

heh, I thought I was the only one who remembered that. The Java AIM client became QuickBuddy though, which I'm sure many people do remember (QuickBuddy has since been replaced by AIM Express, although QuickBuddy is still available as well).

What first drew me online and kept me excited for years was the sense of community that people had in the BBS scene before the rising popularity of the Web. Despite many attempts at creating this same feeling on the web from AIM, to Craigslist, Friendster, gMail to even Slashdot or Kuro5hin, I have not been able to develop the same type of relationships. It seems almost bizarre to suggest that a global online community could have a BBQ or meet for dinner at a local fast food restaurant.
People like Jom Jennings of FidoNet and Scott Converse of OneNet really deserve to be recognized by organizations like the VCF. The communities they fostered, perhaps because local dial-up networks kept everything provincal, are probably what I miss about the modern Internet with its spammers, phishers, con artists, Patriot Act, unsecure email and general lack of polite behavior. More than anything else, this misplaced sense of community is what I miss about the early days online.

Or this or this or this. Yep, it's all been done. And they're also freaking annoying to use, IMHO.

Ummm... no. Try AIM Express. It does just about everything the real AIM does, but it's a webapp!

Or should we limit this entire thing to the 5% of camera phones on the market with the onboard processing capability sufficient to process this without locking up?

And from the customer's viewpoint, the bandwidth sure would suck (What, $.35/picture?), but isen't that why the phone services implement/advertise this sort of thing in the first place? (See: AOLBuddy, which will let you get information like weather reports, Sports scores and what have you via AIM, if your phone supports it... And you don't mind having to send 25 (m)ore messages @.10/ea to get to "Van Helsing".)

Thus the 5th generation of the 5th generation chip would have been kind of dumb.