Technology How To

What is AIM?
AOL Instant Messenger is a peer to peer communications application used by individuals primarily to swap text messages; in addition, voice and data files can be exchanged as well. For more info see http://www.aim.com/

How do I setup AIM?

• Download AIM at http://www.aim.com/
• Click on install now and save the program to the desired folder
• After the download is through, click RUN
• Follow the directions to complete installation

Note: After installation the AIM icon will appear on the desktop

How Do I Get a Screen Name?

• Click on the Get A Screen Name link
• Create an AIM account with a screen name and a password
• Be creative with the screen name, that way the screen name will not be full of random number
• When complete, type in the newly acquired Screen Name and password in the startup AIM screen

Getting Started with AIM

Buddy List
The buddy list in a collection of Screen Names for people familiar to the user. The buddy list allows the user to see which buddies are online, active, away or idle. This feature also allows to the user to see how long their buddies have been online.

Buddy List Setup
Buddy List setup is located at the bottom of the Buddy List (+/-). Here the user can add, delete, and edit buddies or groups (an explanation of groups is provided below). This is an important feature for the user because it keeps their Buddy List updated with all the people they chat with frequently.

Sending a Message
Once the user sets up a Buddy List, they are now ready to send Instant Messages (provided their buddies are online). To send a message, double click the name in the buddy list, type a message into the window provided, and hit Enter on the keyboard to send the message.

Features of AIM

Away Messages
An away message is a simple note that allows other users to notice when the current user is away from their computer. The away messages of other users are visible underneathe their screen names on the Buddy List. The away message can include any information that the user would like to include in order to alert the other users online as to where they might be. To set an away message, click on the tab at the top of the Buddy List titled Available. Here the user can create a new Away Message, or select from previous default messages that they have used before.

Status Bar
The newest version of name has a Status Bar located at the top of the Buddy List which allows available users to type a message that will appear under their screen name on other users’ Buddy Lists. To edit the information within status bar, simply click on toolbar and begin typing. Click once away from the toolbar in order for the status to update.

Groups
Another important feature of the Buddy List is the ability to create Groups. This is a simple easy way to sort the Buddies within the Buddy List. To create a group, click on the Buddy List setup key at the bottom of the Buddy List (+/-) and select Add Group.

Alert Message
The Alert tool is a notification tool for the user. This way, a user can easily be notified when a specific Buddy signs on, signs off, is away, becomes idle, etc. To access this tool, right click on the Buddy desired and click on Alert Me When… Choose the desired options within the menu to complete the Alert process.

My Buddy Info
The Buddy Info section of AIM allows the user to insert whatever information they would like to share about themselves such as their hobbies, interests, etc. Users must be extremely careful as to what personal information they include within their Buddy Info. To access the Buddy Info window, click on the Edit tab at the top of the Buddy List and scroll down to My Buddy Info.

Buddy List Search
If the user cannot find a particular buddy within their Buddy List, a search toolbar is located at the top of the Buddy List. Type in the desired information and highlighted results will appear within the Buddy List.

Blocking
Many times users will talk to people whom they are not familiar with and want to refrain from talking to them. In this case, the user can block the buddy. In the IM window, simply click on the People tab and scroll down to Block. The user’s block list can be edited at anytime and is located in Edit>Settings>Privacy.

Interactive IM features
The new version of AIM allows users to Send Pictures, Videos and other Files through an Instant Message. Users can also talk to their Buddies if they have microphones hooked up to their computers. Within the IM window, the Interactive AIM Features can be accessed through the bottom tabs (i.e. talk, video, pictures, send files, etc.)