AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM) is an online chat tool that allows users to send messages to one another instantly over the Web. As one of the earliest available instant messaging programs online, AOL now claims their Instant Messenger has garnered over 150 million registrations; though actual AIM usage figures from independent sources report much lower numbers.

AIM allows users to form "buddy lists," a private listing of user id's with which the surfer communicates often. AIM will keep track of a user's "buddies" and provide notifications when they go on or offline. Later versions of the program allow users to create their own graphical icons to appear next to their screen ID in the buddy list.

Additional features of the software include a stock/newsticker, allowing users to continuously receive news and stock updates and an auto-reconnect feature that will keep the users connected to the AIM service after brief drops in their Internet connections.

Features added later versions of the utility include:

- the AIM Today window, which displays automatically upon AIM startup. The AIM Today window is a community-centric site designed specifically for AIM users, allowing them to locate buddies with similar interests, rate other AIM user's pictures, read AIM usage tips, etc. (v4.7)

- Buddy list sharing, allowing users to share the names in their buddy lists with other users. (v4.7)

- Buddy list comments, allowing users to store specific information for one of their buddies that will appear when the the mouse pointer is over the name of that buddy. (v4.7)

- HTTP Proxy support, allowing for AIM connectivity from behind Web proxy servers. (v4.7)

- A "Send Mail" feature allowing users to send an E-Mail to a buddy from the buddy window using their AOL, CompuServe, or Netscape E-Mail account. (v4.8)

- The ability to manage Web Alerts directly from the My AIM Window. (v4.8)

AIM is available immediately as a free download from the AOL Web site. Note that the latest version of AIM is typically available only to Windows users; other platforms offer previous versions.

product submission by DPW Staff

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