aol.co.uk/aim (Instant Messenger)

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(5) ·

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58 Reviews

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When I think about the AOL Instant Messenger (commonly referred to as AIM), it makes me sort of sad. Years ago, people used to phone each other or (gasp!) go to each other's homes to chat. Don't... more

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for aol.co.uk/aim (Instant Messenger)

Rating Summary based on 58 reviews

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17 of 17 Ciao users found the following review helpful

PeterFarrell

AIM to keep in touch 25/08/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages Free, quick and easy to setup, you can search for friends.
Disadvantages Looks old and chunky, some problems and annoying noises.

I have had MSN's instant messenger a while now and felt that there was no need to try any of the other instant messengers available. If you don't already know, insatnt messaging lets you talk instantly without a delay so you can actually chat to someone and they are private, not like an open chatroom. I had a friend who had not got MSN so suggested I got AIM (AOL's Instant Messenger) so I did to keep in touch with them. I found it fairly quick and easy to download and setup. One advantage it has over MSN is that you can search for people by name, interests and location. It has a good control ... more
11 of 11 Ciao users found the following review helpful

real_rob_writer

AOHell or ICQ 17/09/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages see op
Disadvantages see op

Instant Messaging is something I've used since the start of my online life, and in my opinion has been the sole biggest factor in drawing people of my ages group (18) to the internet. Back in the day when I had a 486 PC with a 14.4K modem I used ICQ, mainly to talk to my friends. As time moved on so have I, and I now use MSN Messenger as my main IM program, with ICQ used to keep in contact with the people I met on there. I never really found internet chat rooms all that interesting; I mean sure they were a neat idea to begin with and I did make a few friends from them, but just about every ... more
11 of 11 Ciao users found the following review helpful

waltersontour

INSTANT MESSAGES GET THE MESSAGE 09/07/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages fast, reliable, buddy list
Disadvantages none really

Get The Message? Theres little doubt that email has helped to revolutionise the way we communicate with each other. Its convenience and low cost mean that postal delays and hefty telephone bills can now be easily avoided. Howerevr, even email has its limitations. Fopr one, there's no way of telling if the person you're sending a message to is online, meaning your message could stay in their inbox for days. Some people only check for email once or twice per web-surfing session, so there's no guarantee that youll get a speedy responce. Theres also the issue of slow or unreliable delivery. Heavy ... more
27 of 27 Ciao users found the following review helpful

OKkaraoke

I Spy... you online 27/10/2002

User recommends the product

Advantages free, can talk to multiple people, file transfer, away messages
Disadvantages voyeurism, makes it hard to avoid people, impersonal

When I think about the AOL Instant Messenger (commonly referred to as AIM), it makes me sort of sad. Years ago, people used to phone each other or (gasp!) go to each other's homes to chat. Don't people ever talk to each other in person anymore? This program makes it very easy to have superficial relationships and may cause misunderstandings, since it is difficult to express sarcasm and other subtle human tones and emotions over the Instant Messager. But, before I go on a huge tangent about how technology is ruining human relationships, let's discuss the program itself. AOL and AIM AOL (America ... more
8 of 8 Ciao users found the following review helpful

7sefton

Shames MSN and all the others 14/07/2001

User recommends the product

Advantages Modern, easy to use/install, simple, clear and fast. A great service from a world-trusted group.
Disadvantages Being picky, it's fiddly to send if you prefere a keyboard to mouse, and you can't see if a person is writing a message or has left. Apart from that, a splendid job!

AOL have done something that would (and should) turn Bill Gates Green with envy. What a fab service! It's fast, fun, easy to use/install, availible the world over and is an easy way to meet new people. Being new to all this computer malarky, I's grasped the basics of AOL, and found my way into chat. AOL's chat is well designed, just a shame they can't controll the people in them! I find the chats often are led away from the theme, with a lot of messing about in them. Still, the people are friendly enough, and their is a reporting system and strict rules so it's OK I suppose. Anyway, you go ... more