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/use AIM?
- Download AIM onto your computer at http://www.aim.com
- Click on install now and save the program to your hard drive
- Follow the directions to complete installation
Note: After installation the AIM icon will appear on your desktop
Click on the AIM icon to view the screen shown on the right à

How do I get my screen name?

• Open AIM
• Click <Get a Screen Name>

(This will take you to a set up screen to create an AIM account with a screen name and password. Be creative with your screen name, that way you will be able to get something without lots of random numbers.)
Type in your newly acquired Screen Name and password into the window shown above to begin!

Getting Started
Buddy List
Your buddy list is a collection of names or screen names for people you know.  The buddy list allows you to see when your buddies are online, active, idle, or away. This feature also allows you to see how long a buddy has been online.

Buddy List Setup
Buddy list setup is located at the bottom of the buddy list (+/-)
Here you can add, delete and edit buddies or groups (an explanation of    groups is provided below.) This is an important feature to keep your buddy list updated with all of the people whom you chat with frequently.

Sending a Message
Once you have people in your buddy list, you can begin sending them instant messages. (provided they are online!) To send a message, double click on the name in the buddy list, type the message in the window that appears and hit the Enter key on the keyboard.

What are the Features of AIM?
Groups
Another feature of the buddy list is the ability to group people. Once you get a few more people on your list, you will want a way to sort through them.  The buddy list gives you the ability to make folders that people will then be associated with.

Alert Message
A very helpful tool is the alert message.  If you want your computer to notify you when a particular buddy gets online, this is the tool for you. Right click the buddy’s name and scroll down to “Alert Me When.”

Blocking
Now, for the opposite situation.  Ever wanted to hide from that not so special someone?   This gives you the opportunity to hide from someone on your buddy list.  The process is the same as an alert message, but you just select “Block Buddy”.  This will hide both them you from their list and them from your list, until you unblock them.

 Away Message
An away message is a simple note that allows other users to know what you want them to know while you aren’t currently active on your computer.  You can make the message say what ever you want and you even have the option to save the message, so you can use it in the future. To set an away message, click on the arrow next to the “Set Away” text at the top of the buddy list. Then select “New Away Message.”

 My Buddy Info
Your Buddy info allows you to include information about yourself: This information will be permanently available when you are online.  Favorite quotes, phone numbers, address, web page, and other fun and exciting things can go in this section. However, be aware that all AIM users can have access to this information unless you have them blocked. Right click on a buddy to get their Buddy info.

Personalization (Preferences option)

• Buddy Icons
• AIM today
• Stock ticker
• Other personalization features

Chat rooms (private)
This is a feature that allows you to invite multiple users into one “room” to have a conversation. Right click on the name of the buddy you want to invite à chat à buddy chat.  Inviting more people is a snap.  Once you’re in the chat room, just select the person from your buddy list, paste their screen name into the empty box in the type right corner and click “Add.”

Interactive IM features
With an open IM window you are given four interactive options at the bottom of your screen. Here you can choose to talk to your buddy (if you have a microphone), send or receive video clips, send or receive pictures or send files and folders to your buddy. The use of these tools makes it quick and easy to send or receive information to or from a fellow buddy.

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.)