Games - AOL Instant Messenger

Home > Listing Index > Games > AOL Instant Messenger

	Games - AOL Instant Messenger

The AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an ad-supported instant messaging and presence computer program, published by AOL in October of 1997, which uses the OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol. The most recent software versions are AIM Triton 1.0.4, released on January 26, 2006 (for Windows 2000/XP), AIM Triton Beta 1.2.10.3, released on February 14, 2006 (for Windows 2000/XP), AIM 5.9.3861, released on August 10, 2005 (for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP), AIM 4.8.2540, released on November 26, 2001 (for Windows 95), AIM 4.7.1333, released on February 18, 2004 (for Mac OS X), and AIM 1.5.286, with an unknown release date (for various Linux distributions). AOL has described this technology as a means of "immediate cross-Internet communication."

About

AIM allows users to communicate instantly through text to their "buddies" (or bots such as SmarterChild or ZolaOnAOL) around the world, provided they have the AIM software. AIM has 195 million users (January 2003), with a large portion using Internet slang. Advocates claim that it is easy to locate these users by visiting chatrooms that AOL has set up solely for those purposes. Chat topics range from heavy metal music to current affairs. AOL also has a member directory where AIM users can locate others online who share their interests. AIM is also noteworthy for its use of buddy icons and buddy profiles, allowing its users to construct a personal avatar and small personal information page.

AIM's setup varies greatly from MSN Messenger in that it does not require approval from one buddy to be added to another's buddy list (MSN's default settings send a message to a user notifying them if anyone has added them and letting them choose whether or not to block that user). As a result, many users keep other unsuspecting users on their buddy list to read their profiles or see if they are online (if the said user had blocked them before), A user can block another user from all communications, but some users keep extra usernames for avoiding these blocks.

Since version 2.0, AIM has included person-to-person text messaging, chatroom messaging, and the ability to share files peer-to-peer with one's buddies. Somewhere in the 4.x series, the AIM client for Microsoft Windows added the ability to play games against one another (This uses the WildTangent engine, which is listed as adware.). Recent (4.3 and later) versions of the client software store one's contact information on AOL's servers, so one can keep track of up to 500 buddies from any computer with Internet access. Stand-alone official AIM client software is available for free for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X, Linux, Windows CE, and Palm OS. It was believed that versions of AIM including and above 4.0 contained a clause in the software license that disallowed the use of third party clients, so some users still use the 3.0 series of AIM. However, the latest version of AOL Instant Messenger's software license does allow the use of third party clients, subject to the terms and conditions of that third party.

There is also a version of AIM, called AIM Express, that is implemented in DHTML and runs in a web browser. It is intended for use by people who are unable or unwilling to install an executable client on their machines but still want to use instant messaging. AIM Express supports many of the standard features included in the stand-alone client, but does not provide advanced features like file transfer, audio chat, or video conferencing.

The standard protocol that AIM clients use to communicate is called OSCAR. AIM Express uses another protocol called TOC. TOC has also been made available to the public, which some people believe is an attempt to throw a bone to third-party client developers and lure them away from OSCAR. If this is the case, it has not been entirely successful. AOL often changes the details of the OSCAR protocol, which tends to keep third-party clients from working properly. This has resulted in quite a bit of difficulty for programmers of third party clients.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for AOL Instant Messenger ]

Searches on eBay

aol instant messenger

Games - AOL Instant Messenger

About

Searches on eBay

Related searches on eBay