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The AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is a free instant messaging computer program, published by AOL, which uses the OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol. The most recent software version is AIM 5.9, released in September of 2004. AOL has described this technology as a means of "immediate cross- Internet communication". [1]It allows users to communicate instantly through text to their "buddies" around the world, provided they have the AIM software. AIM has 195 million users (January 2003), with a large proportion using Internet slang. Advocates claim that it's easy to locate these users by visiting chatrooms that AOL has set up solely for those purposes. Chat topics range from heavy metal 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 profilesBuddy profiles are brief descriptions that each AOL Instant Messenger ( AIM) user can write about himself or herself. They are derived from the original AOL Member Profiles, which allowed AOL users to list personal details such as age, sex, and location (, allowing its users to construct a personal avatarAmong people working on virtual reality and cyberspace interfaces, an avatar (sometimes AV or av is an icon or representation of a user in a shared virtual reality. The term is sometimes used on MUDs, in computer role-playing games, and shared non-gaming and small personal information page.
Since version 2.0, AIM has included person-to-person text messaging, chatroom messaging, and the ability to share files peer-to-peerGenerally, a peer-to-peer (or P2P computer network is any network that does not rely on dedicated servers for communication but instead mostly uses direct connections between clients (peers). A pure peer-to-peer network does not have the notion of clients with your buddies. Somewhere in the 4.x series, the AIM client for Microsoft WindowsImage use policy. Microsoft Windows is a range of commercial operating environments for personal computers. The range was first introduced by Microsoft in 1985 and eventually has come to dominate the world personal computer market. All recent versions of added the ability to play games against one another. Recent (4.3 and later) versions of the client software store your contact information on AOL's servers, so you can talk to up to 200 of your buddies from any computer with Internet access. Stand-alone official AIM client software is available for free for Microsoft WindowsImage use policy. Microsoft Windows is a range of commercial operating environments for personal computers. The range was first introduced by Microsoft in 1985 and eventually has come to dominate the world personal computer market. All recent versions of, Mac OSMac OS which stands for Mac intosh O perating S ystem, is Apple Computer’s name for the operating systems for Macintosh computers. The original Mac OS was the first commercially successful operating system which used a graphical user interface. The Macint, LinuxThis article is about Linux-based operating systems, GNU/Linux, and related topics. See Linux kernel for the kernel itself. See Linux (washing powder) for the Swiss brand of washing powder. Tux, a plump penguin, is the official Linux mascot Linux is the n, Windows CEWindows CE (sometimes abbreviated WinCE is a variation of Microsoft's Windows operating system for minimalistic computers and embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinctly different kernel, rather than a 'trimmed down' version of desktop Windows. It is sup, and Palm OS. However, some users stay on the 3.0 series because the software license agreement for 4.0 and later clients includes a clause prohibiting the user from ever using a third-party client program.
There is also a client called AIM Express implemented as an applet for the Java platform that runs in your web browser. AIM Express does not have all the features of stand-alone AIM clients, such as file transfer or buddy icons (although you can view others'), but it still allows the basic functions of person-to-person text messaging.
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, in an attempt to throw a bone to third-party client developers and lure them away from OSCAR. This scheme has not been entirely successful. AOL has continually changed the details of the OSCAR protocol to keep third-party clients such as Trillian from working properly. This has resulted in a cat-and-mouse game between AOL and the client developers.
Apple Computer's iChat AV software for Mac OS X was the first AIM-compatible client to allow for audio and video conferencing over the AIM protocol. It was released in June, 2003. In February, 2004, AIM 5.5 was released, allowing Windows users to video conference with each other and with Mac iChat users. Unfortunately, AIM 5.5 did not allow audio-only chats as iChat AV does.
AIM software is the first to use online video streaming advertisements, via the Eyewonder protocol.
