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Official AIM for Linux
topdown writes "I just noticed that AOL released Instant Messenger Beta for Linux (rpm format for RedHat, SuSE, and Mandrake). Don't know about you, but I'll be sticking with gaim for now." Wow, this is fantastic news. Way to be on the cutting edge, AOL. Sorry, but this release doesn't even warrant a copy of our home game. I still don't forgive you for using the Jetsons theme music in your commercials.
You're telling me that AOL is sucking? I don't believe that for a minute.
Any idea if it uses the all-too-comon "getting away message" message to IM someone just to see how they said they aren't around?
I found that all too anoying and I misunderstood it initially to mean that the other person was telling me automagically that they were going off-line...
Wheeeee
Does it use OSCAR or TOC?
I wish they would've worked with an existing project instead of spinning their own half-ass version. Those screenshots don't look all that impressive.
I've never even used AIM period.
I'll try it, but AOL's version for windows doesn't even have some of the features that I treasure under linux such as buddy pounce and individual sounds for everyone who logs on. Of course, I might grab it just so I can transfer files over it.
Eh...
Why fiddle around with one chat protocol at a time? I'll take Everybuddy any day. Even over the new AOL client, btw, but I guess I might download it to check it out.
nice to see them (i don't like aol) supporting linux...eh?
It's annoying to see XYZ for Linux! when it's really Linux/x86. Years ago, people came up with the word Wintel to describe Windows on Intel. Perhaps we should coin Linux86 to describe Linux on x86 so people understand what platform of Linux you're talking about. Remember - you heard it here first!
Free BeOS, runs from a Linux partition
What advantage does AIM have over ICQ, other than the fact that it's used by millions of AOL users (no comment on that one :)?
Wasn't some group working on a unified messaging protocol? Is any progress being made on that front? The last thing I want to mess with is having multiple messaging apps on my desktop.
Dewey, what part of this looks like authorities should be involved?
After managing to get Jabber working, from jabber.org, anything less is a major step back. ICQ is the only system that comes close... and only on windows, at that, becuase GnomeICU and other clients still don't have full functionality.
Of course, OpenProjectsNet on IRC is still my favourite place to chat (my nick is talon, say hi if you see me).
They must have realized how many add impressions they could regain by putting out a linux version!
Personally, I prefer everybuddy, which offers some cool features my windows friends with the official AIM wish they had (like "Joe Schmoe" showing up rather than joeylooser3456.)
-Pete
Soccer Goal Plans
RPM only? Just like my damn Voodoo drivers! I have to use rpm2tgz, and then I end up with 500 files scattered across my filesystem!!! I love it!!!
I wonder if AOL is releasing a version of AIM for Linux so that AIM will gain more support, and thus displace the AT&T, Excite@Home, iCAST, MSN, Odigo, Phone.com, Prodigy, Tribal Voice, and Yahoo! from getting their "open" IM standard adopted.
Shaun
Thanks to the War on Drugs, it's easier to buy meth than it is to buy cold medicine!
If this is as good as their Linux (read: Java) version of ICQ, I'll be sticking with Yahoo Messenger, thank you very much.
Now if they'll work on an ICQ client for Linux . . . or either actively contribute to the development of a clone like GnomeICU.
On that note, wonder why they didn't contribute to GAIM? It's not like they haven't released the TOC specs . . .
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One wonders what the licensing fee was for that was!
; )
Actually, AOL has been rather good to linux lately. They haven't been anal about gaim, even when gaim started supporting oscar. (You think that they'd be a bit miffed since gaim doesn't support ads)
Then there's the aolserver, whatever the advantages of that over apache I haven't a clue.
AOL for Linux might sound like the end of the world, but really, it would set some sort of precident for the software industry. AOL is doing it, why aren't we?
I still wouldn't use it myself, but I know a few people who might give Linux a shot if they could use AOL under Linux.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Well, the install file is only 540K, which is a lot smaller than the 2.0-2.4M for other platforms. Of course, this is a beta version, so it's likely low on features as well as bloat.
Internet Relay Chat is a much better-designed chatting and instant-chatting protocol than all these instant messegers (ICQ/AIM/etc.).
Long Live IRC!
Daniel
I heard that there was an effort to let all messenger services access each other. I don't remember where I read it, it was probably on Slashdot, but they were developing an open protocal or something to use for most messengerr. The Hotmail, Yahoo, and other messengers were jumping on, but AOL wasn't. And, btw, I still don't forgive AOL for creating a movie based on their crappy stuff. Or charging my credit card for a year after I canceled their service.
What if I don't want to use RPMs? I mean, I love them personally, and use them because I'm lazy for installing upgrades and such of certain programs (Gaim comes to mind). What if I didn't have root access on a computer I wanted to use it on?
Ah well, I guess I'll have to agree that I'll be sticking with Gaim on this one, I haven't found a piece of AOL software that's been stable (AOLpress, AOL IM, AOL 3.0-5.0) so I find it hard to believe that this will be (even in production)
"The universe seems neither benign nor hostile, merely indifferent." --Carl Sagan
I truly admire AOL's attempt at trying to make nice with the linux-user community, but to be honest, what right-thinking human will install genuine AOL software on their linux box? I know some people who don't trust AOL enough to install a Netscape release! (OK, M16 it is.) After the debacle (and online debates) about AOL5 and how much it messed up Windows, I would be really, really surprised if any computer-literate individual installed anything with the AOL triangle on their Linux box at this point.
This is just my take, but I'd be interested in seeing why someone would want to use genuine AOL software for connecting to the AIM network, especially when AOL has taken down the barriers to their network.
So the new name for the Linux version is, what, LAIM?
People who use LAIM will be called LAIMers.
And that one actor on Star Wars episode one will sue when AOL gets the domain name LAIM
-Adam
How are we clapping?
I have no idea...
Wow, I'm going to run out and switch to this closed source crippled aim client IMMEDIATLEY. Why would I want to use gaim with logging, smily fces, spell checking, gtk interfae. Oh right, and it's open sourced too, so when I finish up the spelling menu code I see about porting it.... Oh wait, nope won't work! This thing doesn't have any of the advantages of using the AIM for windows client. At least it doesn't have ads.
--dave
AOLinux 5.0 TurboPlatinum comes with 6.5536e4 free hours!!
Watch your mailbox as we back a dump truck full of DVD's up to your door and fill it dailiy! Sign up today and get a FREE copy of AOLeyes!
Mr. Ska
RealPlayer for Linux,
Many games for Linux for Loki,
And not AIM for Linux!
Go on Linux we will win! (Well what about IE for Linux?)
From reading most of the posts on this story you would think its horrible that companies are actually starting to produce versions of their software for linux. Admittedly we have open source versions of this software, but it is anything but perfect (and it only uses one of the protocols allowed by AIM).
Personally, I would prefer to use a program such as Everybuddy which uses all of the protocols, but overall I would say this is a step in the right direction that AOL is starting to acknowledge that Linux is a viable platform for development. This leads me to another question.... does anyone know what they used for development (what widget set)? I'm quite curious whether they just produced a Java version (which seems to be very popular among IM programs), used a Wine style development that Corel uses, or actually did some Linux programming.
and yes, I know they're owned by the same company.
LICQ is a great ICQ program for, well, just about any UNIX-y platform. I for one, refuse to use an official client that doesn't have such features as ping flood and UIN spoofing. If AOL puts these in, maybe they'll get some ICQ converts. Otherwise, AIM is obviously inferior. =P
but I still can't believe that the company that owns Netscape uses the browser of the other monopoly as the main browser of their 'internet packages'.
It's like making all GMC (=Vauxhall in UK) workers drive Ford's.
insignificant sig
The last few betas of AIM for Windows, while they don't support buddy pounce, do support customizable alerts for each buddy.
If you use windows and want to customize your own version of AIM, there is a VB client floating around.... here.
You can also use the TiK tcl client on windows (it's relatively stable). Since it's written in Tcl, that either means you can do whatever the heck you want with it, or it means you will never understand it.
<plug>
While you're at it, check out my AIM Auto-Logging project, AIMLog!
</plug>
GAIM
GnomeICU
LICQ
Considering what AOL did to Mozilla, you're probably better off with an open-source clone.
--
Kiro
I don't see why emmett's so upset with it. he may not like AOL, but hey, it's a megacorp that officially released one of their little programs for that "other" operating system. Sure, it's not a "killer" app, but it's better than having to find some obscure-named-beta AIM client on freshmean for a Linux newbie who just converted from Windows.
Now he/she doesn't have to reboot to windows to talk to their teeny-bopper friends.
Now only if they had Photoshop and hundreds of other apps by the original company making it for Linux. Woohoo!
I know feeding the trolls is bad, but I have to respond to this.
The whole Linux/BSD argument is fundamentally flawed. The real 'argument' (if you can call an obvious forgone conclusion an argument) is Windows/Unix.
One more reason why Windows wins the argument is that it presents a unified product range to the user. It's Windows or Windows. The user doesn't have to debate the relative 'merits' of This Linux/That Linux/This BSD/That BSD/Other Unix. Never mind what each one is best for, Windows is a single product which is suitable for everything.
And you wonder why it's so popular...
I LOVE that idea. I changed screennames and lost touch with a few friends that I really treasure since I didn't want to be bothered by certain other people that I really don't treasure, but would prefer not to be bothered by AT ALL than to let them know that I am on.
Eh...
Don't you have anything better to do?
If you're not impressed, then why are you posting this?
Oh right, I get it, you're trying to beat all of the "this is slashdot, not freshmeat!" crowd to the punch, right?!? (Moderators: Just kidding!)
Seriously though, if AOL is finally getting around to writing their own "official" client for Linux, then that's more Linux software out there, which is good in my book.
Personally, I won't even be using GAIM; I'll be using Jabber since I don't like the idea of *every* message I write being sent not only plaintext, but across AOL's servers - which gives them the legal right to read my message!
Jabber supports SSL connections (at least on the server side, I haven't seen a client that supports it yet), so at some point I'll even be able to have my conversations encrypted! (Of course, I could just ssh into my friend's box and use talk locally...)
--Cycon
Your Brain + EEG + LEGO Robots = Brainstorms
1) release "their" AIM
2) issue cease and desist order to "other" AIMs
3) put ads in the linux client
Seriously, AOL loses too much ad revenue to clones. I can't see them allowing their servers to be used and abused by the linux masses; we're just getting too big
They don't "warrant a copy of our home game", but they do deserve to have a link to their press release posted on Slashdot?
Information wants to be anthropomorphized.
I got someone who yelled at me for doing that, but I was avoiding this REALLY creepy guy for a while like that, while not blocking him entirely.
Eh...
Not so bad... but not so good either.
It uses the same protocols as gaim, so it saves your buddy list on the server, which is good.
It uses GTK. NICE.
I had click "send" instead of hitting . This was very annoying.
Import/Export Buddy list from windows. Sweet, I had to copy mine over by hand to gaim. Wish I had this.
Interface: OK. Ugly, but ok.
The only preferences I could find were Save Password, Log on Automatically, and the server address. Come on! Let me at least change the sounds and stuff! I believe Gaim even lets you change sounds for each individual user!
All in all, its always good to see a company AOL's size take linux seriously, but this is a substandard implementation of a decent product. I like IM. I especially like gaim, and I will stick with it right now, as it is the better product (doesn't hurt that its open source either).
Gaim rules this product. Use it instead.
indierock / punkrock band photos and more... http://www.digitaldefection.net
I know, I know, it's just AIM now, but think for a second.
Yes, AOL sucks big floppy donkey genitals. I'm not saying it doesn't. But if AOL started pushing a Linux version, maybe--just maybe--some of the people that use Windoze just because it does everything they want will start to sit up and take notice. That might be a good start to converting a nice chunk of the Microserf population.
The real Karma Gigolo has Slashdot ID #3.14159265358979323846...
First of all, something isn't Linux compatible if it only runs on Intel hardware. I run Linux on an Intel box, but I know of people who run Linux on a Macintosh, and I may decide to move in that direction too. AOL will probably do something to deliberately break GAIM, and use as their justificiation that "we have AIM for Linux, so you shouldn't complain." And then the LinuxPPC users will be screwed.
Second of all, I'm sure that they've added all sorts of stupid banner ads to the program, just like they did on the Windows version. I just don't want to be advertised to. That's reason enough to stick with GAIM, even if the official version had more features.
Thirdly, a question. Do they distribute tarballs? Not everyone can use RPMs. Again, you really can't say that you've got a Linux-compatible piece of software if it comes in a package that isn't universally used.
========
Stephen C. VanDahm
?"aol develops aim for linux"? the end is truly near can your vw play mp3s? http://mpjetta.mp3car.com
are becoming very popular, so I don't think that quite. The wintel was more to refer to the duopoly that ms and intel had on their platform.
-- these are only opinions and they might not be mine.
What about Win98 vs. WinNT? Or Win2000 Professional vs. Win2000 (unprofessional?).....? Fact is, even if you were right (which you are not), I hardly think that offering a multi-use OS that needs rebooting every few hours can be considered "winning" against an OS which offers yes, several different flavors, but above all else, stability and reliability. The only thing you can rely on in a Windows environment is unplanned downtime...and maybe some windows-only viruses.
(Nice move, but they've a ways to go before they really support Linux)
The problem with Open Source clients is that they never support all the features that the official AIM clients do. I'd guess this is because it takes a long time to reverse-engineer things like buddy icons, direct connections, voice-chat, etc. This official client, while it might not be anything special right now, at least gives us a little hope that we'll see a client that keeps up with the Windows client in the future.
Thank you.
Would you rather have AOL not deliver a linux client at all? Sure, there may be tons of clones out there for unix platforms, but at least AOL's heart is in the right place.
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"They misunderestimated me." --George W Bush, Nov. 6, 2000
You know that, and I know that, but do millions of lusers know how to use IRC? :) It's kind of a good thing that most don't, but I've been noticing some declines in IRC usage lately. Instead, things like Yahoo Chat with its point-and-drool interface, and no AOL subscription required, are becoming the first chat experience for a lot of the newbies. I remember being a freshman in college, way way back in '93, learning how to use IRC. I'd been a BBSer for years before, but college was my first exposure to a "real" 'Net connection. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't mind the / commands, the syntax, or anything else.
I've asked a few people why they don't use IRC, and msot say "it's too hard." Come on...with graphical clients, even the / commands aren't really necessary anymore! This kind of scares me...are we making computers "too" easy for people? Should people be required to know at least something before they dive right in?
I'm pretty glad that directories in linux are now called groups since AOL make AIM for it.
AOL seems to be making a push toward Linux (Netscape, and now AIM). What's next, Winamp for linux? Or maybe even (God forbid!) AOL FOR LINUX?!?!?!
Log in as root :) For the love of Linux, use sudo !!!!!
I am Lord Snowbeam. Heed my call!
--
you must amputate to email me
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you must amputate to email me
i read all replies to my comments
jabber
I for one am happy that they released a linux version... I was getting very tired of using gaim, for the simple reason that gaim is quite possibly the most unfortunatly named piece of software that I've ever encountered.
-- Point? None! Cob.
Golly, this means we Linux users can be neat and groovy, and chat just like those cool AOL types! I can finally put my AOL envy to rest. Well... not entirely. Still can't get my computer to say "You've got Pictures".
"Extremism in defense of liberty is more fun."
This is probably hurt my karma but anyways. They are probably releasing it only so that they can stop publishing the protocol. The reason why they had published the protocol (before M$ made a compatible client) was to enable developers to make linux clients. Now that they have their closed Linux client, they dont have to even publish their protocol and can keep all of the market to themselves. I see no other reason for them to do this... Nasty AOL...
Get GAIM or Gabber...
why would anyone want to use something that shows adds on it? I need to hurry and download the class files for quickbuddy before they fix the compatibility problems with their new java client.
As far as i can tell, the only difference between the two is that one has adds, and the other doesn't.
I will be quite glad to stick with GAIM on my linux box as well for the same reason... too bad i have to put up with the FLASHING EBAY ADDS on my mac at work... its funny because I actually use AIM to talk to my boss quite a bit--the future of business communication... or something
mov ax, 13h
int 10h
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This web site will cure all your ailments.
Aol is not just for dialup users. You can access AOL from anywhere you can get a TCP/IP connection, I've used it over a T1, T3, Cable, I won't debate the fact that it does SUCK, but at least it isn't sucking at 56k. They give you about a 50% price break if you "bring your own access" rather than use their dialup lines as well.
Not that anyone cares, but if it does someone some good, that's the deal.
xrayspx
Hating AOL since before they knew they were AOL
I like music
Macromedia Flash Plug-in, RealPlayer, and several other "mainstream" offerings that have been ported to Linux seem to have remained in a "beta" state far too long for us to think that there is active development being done on them.
Is it now the standard corporate policy to release a mostly finished product for Linux, label it beta so that you don't have to support it (but you successfully kill off interest in open source equivalents), and call it a day?
Freshmeat could perhaps do some "advocacy" work in this area. Maybe they could post a "beta wall of shame" for companies that allow their products to linger too long. Perhaps the embarrassment of being on such a list will convince some companies to get off their duffs and finish these ports.
Emmett, why did you even post it if youre just going to make fun of it and say it sucks? It's really not interesting news anyways. Maybe you should consider posting interesting stuff that people submit. Same goes for the rest of you damn slashdot admins.
Joseph?
i would suggest jabber instead of this aol or this icq crap. it's open, free (the protocol and most clients + the server), and everybody can set up his own server (like everybody can set up a mail server).
and... of course you can still contact icq or aol people through your favourite jabber server.
the urls:
http://www.jabber.org/ for the open source software.
and
http://www.jabber.com/ for a non-free windoze client (but the offer a stable server...)
I've never used it, you want to get ahold of me, drop an email or call my cel (I won't pick up while driving, tho)
:) AOL was and how it would be so nice if I just caved in and handed over my desktop to AOL.
4 years ago I spent the better part of a day trying to uninstall, cripple, maim, corrupt and renoberate AIM on my desktop. Why? Because at the time it was set to pop-up and remind me how special
Vote Naked 2000
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Give TiK a try. It works on all Linux/*NIX/BSD machines running tk/tcl.
;-)
'nuff said.
The new versions can be annoying to compile in NetBSD (which currently seems to have less-than-perfect pthreads support), and they're slow on my p60. Someone with some time and some coding experience should convert the 0.9.10 release to support whatever they did to make the new releases login.
--- Free Dynamic DNS http://www.staticky.com/
I'm really tired of seeing news items of the form "[closed-source application] released for Linux," when it's just an x86 binary. The "x86 == Linux" disease is, IMHO, at least as bad as the "RedHat == Linux" disease, if not worse. Linux is not just about x86 (even though that's where it started).
I'm not saying tha AOL or anybody else is obligated to produce a PPC, Alpha, etc. binary but they could at least make it clear that their release for Linux on a specific CPU architecture, which is not the same thing as "for Linux".
Even if the people releasing the software can't get it right, I'd think that /. would. I mean, just today there's been an article about Linux on a non-x86 processor. Doesn't having applications on devices such as this matter just as much as having them on x86 Linux? We shouldn't downplay their importance by ignoring them with our language.
CVS is teh suck. Use Vesta instead.
Use Jabber. It's an open protocol, and the server handles the ICQ/IM/MSN issues. Also, it has encryption and much better authentication than the other systems.
I was an Everybuddy user, until I found Jabber -- this is _much_ better.
"Whatever can go wrong, will." --Finagle's Law
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$x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
$x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
--
$x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
$x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
Let's see. A major force in the computing world shows its support for Linux by releasing software for it. This company's decisions on whether or not to support Linux could have a major affect on home-user adoption of Linux. What should we do? Let's make fun of the software and rant about how much they suck! Sounds like fun! I am sure this will help us reach our goals of widespread adoption of Linux! Hmm....something just doesn't add up there.
And, as far as Gtk vs. Qt, I don't really give a rip what it uses, as long as it works and it works well. Functionality is my primary concern right now . . . maybe when there are two or three competing clients around, that are more or less equal feature-wise, then I'll pick one for political reasons or what not.
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Fialar
I dont want the unwashed masses using IRC, it got flooded when they though Napster was almost going down. IRC will also be the best way for me to get MP3s in college, but the fewer people that use it, the better. IRC does rock, but it is not for the morons that use AOL
...that this move my AOL won't be followed by the closeout of gaim's access to their servers.
I can't bring myself to trust ANYTHING AOL/Tim Warner does...
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Fialar
The only gripe I have about TNT is that it doesnt do logfiles - although, its simple enough to save a chat buffer manually. But, I spoke with a developer and he says logfiles are in the works, and I may add that functionality myself if I learn some more lisp.
Ah, isn't it great to never leave your text editor? See vi or vim try to do this! Join the Church of Emacs[?]
Just for those that might not know, Kaim recently was released. Still a developer release, but not bad. You can check it out at:/ kaim/.
http://www.csh.rit.edu/~benjamin/benjamin/works
Do you changes clothes while making the "chee-chee-cha-cha-choh" transformation sound?
That's right, now you too can run AOL from your Linux box! AOL 6.0, which current AOL users may beta test, will include both Windows NT (I'm sure after the millionth person called in and asked "why won't AOL work now that I've installed Windows 2000?" they decided they'd better add it) and Linux versions. I've installed the Win2k version on my little brother's windows partition, but haven't had a chance to try out the Linux version yet. The reasoning, of course, is that if AOL is going to release those Transmeta/Linux based web appliances, they'd better have a working Linux version of AOL to ship them with.
"The question of whether a computer can think is no more interesting than that of whether a submarine can swim" -EWD
Is it me, or do these screenshots look very much like GAIM? Take, for example, this picture. Why does it look so similar to, say, this? I find it a bit surprising that GAIM and this Linux AIM Beta client look so much alike; either GAIM did an exceptionally good job of duplicating the (unreleased) Linux AIM client or AOL just grabbed GAIM and branded it. In addition, has AOL really gotten up to the 1.1.14 stable release of this thing, or is it just GAIM 0.9.14?
Did I miss the link on AOL's page to the Linux AIM Client's source, considering GAIM is under the GPL?
You forgot Jabber the best one of all. Usable not only AIM but also ICQ, Yahoo, MSN, IRC and it's own jabber protocol. Also, I got this Slashdot article's headline from the RSS Transport. Definitly the jack of all trades in instant messenging. The server is completely GPL'd and clients are finished or in the works for all major OS'.
For more info:
www.jabber.org
www.jabber.com
www.jabbercentral.com
err.. that's not a signature.
Some people like the community aspect of it, and the ease of use (think Slingo addicts)... others maintain it as an easy way to keep contact with their friends on AOL, even though they've gotten a life. Oh well...
--Tower (AOL free since 1995).
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"It's tough to be bilingual when you get hit in the head."
The only reason AOL is doing this is because they are miffed by the fact that Gaim and various other X AIM clients don't have ads. Gaim (the only one I have used) works fine, is just as easy to use (if not moreso) as the Windows client, and supports more features. It can also operate seamlessly with the existing AIM network --- it supports the Oscar protocol as well.
:(
What's sad is that Linux distributions will likely package AOL's official client instead of Gaim (or others) merely because it is "official."
Feh, I bet it'll probably use motif too.
Heh. You act as if this is the only good AIM client because it's made by AOL. My grandma could use TiK just as easily.
Fighting the War on the War on Drugs.
http://smokedot.org/
Yeah, millions of lusers are what make up IRC!
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Now we've got an AIM.
Who pulls the trigger?
--- If OS were buildings, then the first woodpecker to come around would erase 95 % of civilization.
When will A0L have a net 2 phone service ... MS Messanger and dialpad.com offer net 2 phone for windoz but I can't find a linux alternative ... (bastards)
http://toc.oscar.aol.com
I move between computers/OSs often and just use the java client. Never had a problem with it. Its ad-free, remembers buddy lists, and it works behind my work's firewall too.
If you want horror, go to Excite chat. It is filled with the lamers that I am afraid will discover IRC. They have automated bots that flood the channels with kiddie rap, and theirt conversations, admidst the flood are like: "A/S/L?", "I love everyone", "kewl I am in Kali too, wanna cyber?"
We already have a standard protocol, connected servers etc. It's called IRC. How about a facelift for MIRC that turns it into an "instant messenger"?
They ARE out to get you simply because They are in it for themselves and they don't care about you.
I thought Linux was supposed to be based on tried and true Unix concepts not "cutting edge" stuff (maybe BeOS is a good example of "cutting edge".)
You'll probably enjoy the message at 1-800-FAT-GIRL, as well. Try it, you'll like it!
--
Does narcissism count as a hobby? --Shawn Latimer
Thing is, AIM costs money to run. It's made out of piles of servers, large, speedy SQL databases and a bunch of load balancers and replication machines. AIM may seem simple, but on that kind of massive scale, it certainly isn't. The only current revenue stream for it is inline ads and integrated add-ons like Net2Phone. AOL doesn't really give a rat's ass who makes AIM-compatible clients; they just want clients out there that they're collecting all the ad revenue from. They don't go after the Unix clients aggressively because they account for practically no traffic at all.
Now that AOL's getting into the net appliance business and gearing up to offer AOL service to Linux devices, Linux is a platform they care about because it will eventually be the platform of a big chunk of their user base. So they need an AIM client that they control, that they can serve ads to that can't be disabled, among other things.
GAIM, swell as it is, can't be the basis for AOL's official Linux AIM client. Why? Because GAIM is GPL'ed, not even issued under a dual license. So anything they do with the GAIM code would have to be released as open source. Which would mean that folks would be able to make adless versions of it.
Once a good 3-4% of AIM users are using Linux, or AOL starts offering its paid services via Linux devices, you should expect to see GAIM, TiK and the other OSS AIM clients get blocked out just as agressively as MSN Instant Messenger has been.
And once AOL works out contracts with Microsoft, Yahoo, et al. that guarantee free flow and full reporting of AOL's ads, you'll see MSN Messenger, etc. suddenly gain access to AOL's network. Not so the OSS stuff, because it would imply discriminatory business practices.
If GAIM were under a BSD-style or MPL-style license, you can bet AOL would make use of their code. My hunch is that the GAIM developers have no interest in a license that allows closed-source forks in the code, though. Good for them. But honestly, the GPL doesn't leave much room to work out a deal by which the GAIM developers could offer up AOL's ad stream in exchange for continued access to the AIM servers from an "official" GAIM release.
The moral of the story? The GAIM team should start thinking about exit strategies. Do they modularize it and release each module separately under the GPL so they can be used as plugins by AOL's official client? Do they go to a dual-license model so AOL can use all their hard work? Do they find new projects to work on and leave it out to dry so none of the code gets used by AOL?
Initially it sounds stupid, because who among us would use it, right?
But, corel had the right idea...make a specialized version of linux that is easy for anyone to install, and does the basic things non-techies need: spreadsheets, wordprocessing, and AOL.
Most of the non-geek people I know use AOL and most of them have specifically asked me if they could find a way to use the AOL software in linux - there are some features that are just easier to use through the aol client software (and semi-notcrappy if you use it through a cablemodem or DSL).
Anyone else think we could get widespread linux acceptance if AOL came out with a series of Internet Appliances with Linux and an AOL client and some form of office software? Or just an AOLinux distrobution that did the same thing? Hell, this would be a wonderful thing for them to do with the (is it indreama thats making the linux settop box? i cannot remember, but whoever it is, put their name here).
Something like this could only help....you don't displace old systems by emulating them...you displace them by offering something they do not have.
GNU Lesser GPL was designed to allow code sharing between copylefted software (e.g. the Free IM clients) and proprietary software (e.g. AIM).
<O
( \
XGNOME vs. KDE: the game!
Will I retire or break 10K?
Wow, this is fantastic news. Way to be on the cutting edge, AOL. Sorry, but this release doesn't even warrant a copy of our home game. I still don't forgive you for using the Jetsons theme music in your commercials.
Is this a news item or an editorial you've posted?
I've basically stuck to Windows just because of AIM. it's just a useful commodity, being able to talk to my friends on it, rather than having to explain IRC or the like to them (these are people who's big leap into technology was changing their background). However, this will definitely push me to start using Linux 24.7. Only downside I can think of is that it's not for the linux distro that I use-I'm a Debian/GNU fiend...However, I'm sure that LAIM (hehe) can easily be altered to make it useable on either Debian, Slackware, or whatever other flavor you prefer.
Hmmm...
About a year ago (I think) I found on AOL's site a Java-based AIM for Linux. It was a tarball with the JRE and the AIM client in one.
It dissapeared shortly thereafter, but oh well... gaim worked too...
For years people have proclaimed "now you have the code, you can make changes if you want." Well, guess what, 99.5% of the people who use software don't know how to make changes!
So again I'd like to point out, "Now that you have the code, you can OPTIMIZE it for your system." And, yes, that does really matter. And, no, you don't need to know how to program to do it.
Take the example of Mandrake, maybe you think Mandrake is all hype, it's not. I started using Mandrake about a year ago after getting sick of recompiling everything by hand. I have done tests to prove to myself that Mandrake benchmark scores are higher than other Linux distributions like Gentus Benchmark Results on the exact same system (NOTE 1).
And that's not the end of it... that's just Pentium optimized, I could throw a few more flags in for kicks and tweak the scores more.
So, when I can get a gain of almost 40% using FREE software, try to compare the costs of doing it with hardware. A system that would be 40% faster (using hardware alone) would cost significantly more. Or, your going to get better preformance even on better hardware with optimized flags... so....
I'm a little supprised that this benifit to Open Source (that applies to all hardware types, not just x86) is soo overlooked, and "the ability to change the code" is so bragged about.
NOTE 1: Gentus is completely based on Red Hat, and Mandrake has it's roots in Red Hat software optimizations. Gentus is Red Hat with specific additions for Abit hardware, thus the better disk access times with Gentus (I can use ATA100) that with Mandrake (using only UDMA 66).
AOL finally does something cool by releasing some Linux software and Emmett (in his infinite stupidity), slams them down for doin the very thing that the Linux community needs the most.
.. I'm a Linux veteran since the 1.x series and I'm still waiting for some decent applications. I guess I'll keep waiting. --Aaron Newsome
Regardless of what the hacker nation thinks is cool or not, Linux severely lacks some quality applications in many areas. True that instant messaging is probably not the most critical thing on anybodys list, but it's a start. But when the execs over at AOL look at this bullshit post that Emmett posts, they can't help but think that Linux is still struggling to progress beyond the hacker genre.
Emmett could use a lesson in Linux advocay, and he should take *this* post to heart. And personally, I'm offended that this post ever made it onto the Slashdot home page.
And if you're curious,
Intel has strengths? Surely you jest.
I've checked freshmeat and the other usual suspects, perhaps someone has already implemented a reasonable AOLIM server for linux?
Behind the firewall/DMZ at work, I'd love to be able to host a chat environment with a client most local office and remote folks are already familiar with (and that has all of the AOLIM features).
Does anyone have any experience they could share with running Jabber as a server with AOLIM clients?
Speak truth to power.
I know a few people are going to be looking at this comment after that title. My comment is more on the irony of choosing one free chat program over another.
Okay to clearify, MSN Messenger had the right idea when they attempted to make thier software log on to the AOL servers and chat with thier users. They just went about it the wrong way. And since MS has a reputation of of taking over every market that did not help either.
There should be a way for AOL users to talk with MSN users,,,or ICQ users..or Yahoo...or whatever, maybe if there was a central server that could recognize the type of APP being used, and have it as easy as just adding a server or a plugin/TC to give the functionality, it would be a big hit. Though I don't know anyone with the bandwidth and the programming skills to pull off such a project.
To be perfectly honest I didn't understand why AOL had such a problem with MS connecting to thier servers and allowing people to talk with other AOL users, other than the fact that they didn't ask and it had alot to do with finding a way into the servers that was almost to the point where people were calling it 'hacking'.
But I see no problem with routing messages and getting them sent to other Instant Messaging programs. Sounds like it might be a good open source project. All we need is the bandwidth.
"Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality." -Jules de Gautier
I enter my handle and password, and wait.
(about 30 seconds of "connecting to server"...)
I close aim, and fire up gaim. blam, instant connection.
close gaim, fire up aim - again, aim never connected.
close aim, fire up gaim. blam, instant connection.
hmm, I think I see a pattern here
Kind of a shame, you'd think the aol guys could create a working version...
First off, I'll talk about my dislike of Linux and why it'll never become a major Operating System for PCs.
It seems that people have gotten the general idea, open source == good. Well, this is not the case for Linux. While being open sourced, it allowes bad coders to get a hold of it; causing bad coders to make a distro and others modifying it with code 10x worse than before. Things that shut down compatibility between distro a and distro b and I wont even mention *BSD. File systems mount async by default (power outage and your fs dies). The fact that a new kernel is released every week, also weakens it's foothold into the OS market. Needless to say, when the kernel is released you can kiss 50%+ of your progs away. Let's look at another point. Prog A needs prog B's patch that requires a year old kernel. To get prog B's patch to work, you need prog C's patch but, will make prog A incompatible with your system. Get the message? It has a less than acceptable network code. It's slow and all-around bad. Going back to one of the earlier points, the people who develop for linux aren't good either. There code is less than effecient and at times, just plain bad. Using redundant and slow code. It STILL has no USB support.
Now, what I believe to be the best OS's.
As far as well written, stable, secure, et cetera, I'll have to say FreeBSD. It fixes all forms (or most anyways) of problems found in Linux. It's suitable for things ranging from a desktop to a server. Anything is good for FreeBSD. Only the finest of programs are put in, voiding out the possibility of the poorly coded progs. Developed in Germany allowing for high encryption unlike US, the highest allowed for all imports/exports being 64? If you want BSD for any hardware (including a Dreamcast) take a look at NetBSD. If you are extensively paranoid, then go with OpenBSD. Three years with out a remote hole in the default install! Two years with out a localhost hole in the install! There is a BSD for every one. The closest linux distro that tries to keep the BSD feal, is Debian. Keeps out the poor code, keeps in the good code.
Now, for support. Need I say, Windows. Sad, but true. The best out there is Win2k. It has good memory management, can handle multiple processor, multiple users, etc. The 3rd-party support is amazing compared to the few with linux. The problem with Windows is that it's to newbie-esque. It comes with 95%+ of all PC's being sold today. It's simple to configure, the perfect newbie OS. It's well supported, the best OS to use at the present moment.
To sum up this section, I say use primarily windows for desktop and have a partition/extra hdd for FreeBSD. Can't go wrong with that combination. Unless your running a server. In that case, use FreeBSD.
The AIM vs. anything section
I've been using ICQ for almost a year now and I've just recently stopped using AIM. I've been using ICQ 3-4 months longer because, I like the feal to it a whole lot more. People claim that Yahoo! IM or AIM are faster that ICQ but, I say at the end it's all the same. AIM might take up less system resources but, it all works out after while. If your hard drive feals up to it, go ahead and use both but, of the two I say ICQ. It's got the nicest UI. There are plenty of UNIX clones of ICQ. There Licq, some others. I've never got too much into using linux or any others but, I know plenty about it. sourceforge.net has a lot of open sourced projects in developement for Linux and just about anything.
To summarize this long post: Don't, under any circumstances, use Linux. Use FreeBSD. If you want, use AIM and definately use ICQ (or clones thereof).
Have a look at a FreeBSD powered site: Soundex.org. Yet to be taken down.
Have a nice day,
Are you telling me that you don't see the connection between government and laughing at people? - Interviewer
Until they release the source code for this thing, I would simply view it as an attempt to reduce the incentive for open source clients to get created.
And I think we are going to see a lot more of that corporate strategy: companies will be releasing "free" binary only or encumbered software for Linux to kill off true open source efforts, which in the long run threaten their business interests.
I know that AIM for windows has, or at least had, a buffer overflow that AOL was using to verify that people weren't using an MS or Tribal Voice client. I don't trust AOL's IM. I'm not logging in root to do ANYTHING with their software. At least with WordPerfect, they tell you NOT to log in root. I'll stick with the hack, thank you.
WARNING: there is a trojan on your
I think GAIM uses a server based buddy list. You can check by using AOL's Quickbuddy (or whatever the new version is called) java client and see if your buddy list is there. If it is, the buddy list is server based. btw, AOL created the first versions of TiK, IIRC, which stored buddylists in the format that the GAIM developers decided to use. Also, does anyone know why GAIM likes to crash when you try to IM someone when using the Debian version. It's really annoying. That's why I use TiK now.
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." ~Confucius~
IE has already been ported to Linux
my roommate did this, why he knew aol, his email was through aol and he travels all over the country b/c of family issues what other service can he access anywhere in the nation including his dorm room?
A year or so ago after that IM wars fiasco AOL dropped tik, the open source AIM client that it was developing. This is not the "first official" really. AOL just let tik drop off the face of the earth for a while but now development is back up and running (and the features are many) at tik.sourceforge.net. TiK is so expandable and able to be personalized but still easy to use due to it being written in tcl/tk. This also means the code for it is open because it is run from a script. Is AOL on crack? Why did they drop TiK for this thing?
_joshua_
Well, jolly good, always nice to have another great big internet corporation bow down and realise how important it is to their future to be on board with Linux (AOL of course having already tested the waters slightly with their webserver and Transmeta/Linux/Mozilla webpads)
But... I would like it if they fixed the routing for icq.mirabilis.com, cos a whole bunch of us in the UK haven't been able to get to it for about a month now!
On the offchance that someone from AOL reads this:
/usr/sbin/traceroute icq.mirabilis.com
[First few steps removed to hide employers name]
4 e2-0-1.TH2.highwayone.net (195.70.64.50) 19 ms 33 ms 15 ms
5 62.232.126.78 (62.232.126.78) 17 ms 128 ms 37 ms
6 customer-100Mbps.uk.above.net (208.184.63.1) 19 ms 19 ms 22 ms
7 core1-linx-oc3-2.lhr.above.net (216.200.254.85) 26 ms 15 ms 17 ms
8 iad-lhr-stm4.iad.above.net (216.200.254.77) 82 ms 85 ms 83 ms
9 core1-core3-oc48.iad.above.net (209.249.203.34) 85 ms 81 ms 87 ms
10 pop1-vie-P2-0.atdn.net (209.249.203.230) 98 ms 89 ms 91 ms
11 bb1-vie-P6-1.atdn.net (204.148.99.197) 87 ms 94 ms 96 ms
12 bb1-dtc-P5-0.atdn.net (204.148.98.9) 86 ms 83 ms 82 ms
13 pop2-dtc-P14-0.atdn.net (204.148.99.130) 81 ms 88 ms 101 ms
14 ow4-dtc-P0-0.atdn.net (204.148.102.38) 84 ms 84 ms 83 ms
15 oscar-dc3-P0-1.aol.com (205.188.130.210) 97 ms 81 ms 84 ms
16 * * *
17 * * *
18 oscar-dc3-P0-1.aol.com (205.188.130.210) 84 ms !A * *
And yes, it has been the same point at which the traceroute died the whole time...
--
Listening for the sound of the coming rain...
This frightens me: what could be next? Maybe we are close to get VBS-support for Linux eMail applications ... beware! Don't download any more Natalie Portman stuff!!!
I just installed the Jabber, but how can I send msg to ICQ and AIM users?
o/` somebody wants to hurt sooouuundex.org... o/`
wrighty.
AOL Sucks. It is the suckiest ISP anywhere. Why would anyone use anything they had their grubby hands in?
If you have no idea what I'm talking about, set the way-back machine to 1997 and go to the AIM download page at AOL. They used to have Windows, Macintosh and :gasp: Java versions available for download. I used to run it all the time on my Sun box. One day it just disappeared.
I will say that AIM now has a lot of cool features and GAIM just isn't keeping up.
--
Never hit your grandmother with a shovel, for it leaves a bad impression on her mind...
And you make me nauseous. 'sides, if it's the SOS, why'd you start talking about it again? You obviously have your own opinion (to which you are certainly entitled) about the subject, but you had to know someone would respond with the obvious argument. Especially at /.
Go reboot, wouldja....
A few months ago, Maximum Linux magazine had an issue mostly about browsers. It included a CD with every browser you could imagine from Netscape Communicator to Microsoft Internet Explorer (which they claimed would run if you could get WINE to run it). As I recall, the CD also included (probably an earlier version) of the AIM Beta for Linux. I don't think I installed it, but I'm almost sure it was there! I think this has been around a while, but AOL didn't publicize it until now.
beta version, no wonder they don't have those damn annoying ads flashing in the top of the box. My vote is for gAIM.
This might not be something new, but when I went to use ICQ after moving to a new ISP provided by my employer, I was unable to contact the ICQ servers. A few pings, telnets and traceroutes later I found AOL was blocking that traffic at their gateway, can anyone else confirm this? Unless the servers are inside AOL's network (I cant tell, thats as far as I can go) this is one bastardly way to get people using your product...
traceroute icq1.mirabilis.com
<..snip...>
17 ow4-dtc-P0-0.atdn.net (204.148.102.38) 529.459 ms 529.249 ms 529.564 ms
18 oscar-dc3-P0-1.aol.com (205.188.130.210) 529.497 ms 529.198 ms 529.554 ms
19 * * *
<...snip...>
29 * * *
30 * * oscar-dc3-P0-1.aol.com (205.188.130.210) 520.069 ms !X
"If everybody is thinking alike, somebody isn't thinking" - Gen. George S. Patton
This is just a little TOO close to what's been happening over at Columbia Internet.
0 4&mode=
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=200008
I'll bet that there is some way that the LAIM allows VBA macro processing.
On the AOL page, they gave specific instructions on how to install your RPM, now any dope (who has been running linux for more than a month) know that you have to log in on linux before you can install multi-user software. And what about the package? What ever happened to the slackware .tgz?
There's my two cents.
---->>>---- If Bill Gates had a nickle for every time windows crashed, Oh wait, he does.
Just yesterday we were faced with a story from John Carmack on how releasing games for linux is practically stupid, due to extremely underwhelming returns.
Linux needs commercial software support to grow. Not just games, but other software joe idiot user can go to walmart and install on his machine. Why does linux need joe idiot? because joe idiot is exactly the person who uses AIM, and he is exactly the one of millions who goes to the store with a wad of cash looking for linux software. Once Linux becomes usable for everyone, including joe who needs his AIM and his AOL, we will be one step closer to never seeing another story about how a 3 year old game may be ported in a few months. And I, for one, am looking forward to it.
yes, I know there are more than a few people here who don't want anyone with less than a CS masters to ever be able to use linux, and never use any programs they haven't written themselves, but fortunately their numbers are shrinking.
________
What is that, perl?