AOL (R) Instant Messenger (TM)

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Getting Started

Sometimes when I try and run AIM, AIM crashes. What should I do?

I do not have root access. Can I still install AIM?

When I upgrade my AIM version, it crashes. What can be done?

AIM sound doesn't work on my Linux machine, how can I get it to work?

When I download AIM I get a bunch of funny writing. What am I suppose to do?

Is it possible for me to run Linux AIM in other Unix systems like FreeBSD?

What do I need to get started?

What Is Instant Messaging?

I'm getting an error message saying .... What does it mean?

Is AIM Open Source?

What should I do if I have forgotten my password?

Can I use my AOL SN on Linux?

Does AIM work behind firewalls?

What is TOC? What is OSCAR? Which one does AIM use?

What platforms are clients being developed for?

Where is my buddy list stored?

Can I create new accounts using AIM? Can I change the passwords on my current accounts?

When will features such as search for a friend be available? How about buddy icons or file transfers?

What do I do if upon sign-on my window disappears?

I get a segmentation fault when I try to start aim after upgrading. What should I do?

Q: AIM sound doesn't work on my Linux machine, how can I get it to work?
A: AIM now offers the feature where you can changed the way sound is heard. Go to MY AIM>>Preferences>>Sound to chose what is best for your system.

Q: When I download AIM I get a bunch of funny writing. What am I suppose to do?
A: Basically the browser doesn't understand what to do with a .rpm file and it attempts to display it. There is nothing on the server that can be changed to make this issue go away, the end user should right click on the link and choose "save as" to download.

Q: Is it possible for me to run Linux AIM in other Unix systems like FreeBSD?
A: The new FreeBSD Ports System now includes the Linux AIM client. The port is called 'aim' and is found in the 'net' category.

For those users who still run the old BSD, some users reported they can run it with the following conditions:

1.) Linux Compatibility must be enabled;
2.) The files inux files libgdk-1.2.so.0 and libgtk-1.2.so.0 must be placed in the /compat/linux/lib directory.

Q: What do I need to get started?
A: All you need is the AOL Instant Messenger(SM) (AIM) software and a computer with a connection to the Internet. AOL Instant Messenger(SM) runs on your existing Internet connection, so when you connect to the Internet (in your usual way), you can use AIM the same way you use any other Internet program -- by double-clicking the program icon. At home, you probably connect to the Internet by dialing into your Internet Service Provider (ISP). At the office or school, your computer probably connects to a Local Area Network (LAN).

Q: What Is Instant Messaging?
A: Instant messaging is a convenient way to see when friends and family are online and communicate with them in real time. Its faster than e-mail and more convenient that picking up the phone.

Q: I'm getting an error message saying .... What does it mean?
A: This answer will depend on what the error message is. But when you see it, please fill out a bug report and send it to us with the error message you see.

Q: Is AIM Open Source?
A: No

Q: What should I do if I have forgotten my password?
A: When you enter an invalid password to sign on, AIM displays an error message, stating that the password you entered is invalid. In the error message window, click More Info. After your browser opens to the Lost Password Web Site, enter your screen name, and click Submit.

Your password will be sent to the most current e-mail address we have on record for your screen name. If you have changed your e-mail address and did not notify the AIM system of that update, then your password will still be sent to your old e-mail address. If this occurs and you are no longer able to access e-mail at your old address, then there is no way for us to inform you of your AIM password. In this case, you must register another screen name by choosing on the Sign On screen, and then clicking Sign On. Therefore, if you are planning to change your e-mail address, update your new address in AIM before you delete the old e-mail account. Also, if your AIM screen name is the same as your AOL screen name, then you can sign onto AOL with that screen name and go to Keyword: AIM PASSWORD.

Q: Can I use my AOL SN on Linux?
A: Yes

Q: Does AIM work behind firewalls?
A: Normally it works, but it all depends on how your network administrator set up the firewall. In case it doesn't work with default setup, first check to see if you need proxy server when connect to Internet (check on Netscape browser: Edit->Preference->Advanced->Proxies), if so go to Setup->Connect in Sign on window to set it. Second, if you don't have any proxy, and default port 5190 doesn't work, then just change it to 80 or some other popular port number from Setup->Connect in Sign on window.

Q: What is TOC? What is OSCAR? Which one does AIM use?
A: AOL has two protocols for the AIM service. OSCAR is a proprietary protocol that most our AIM clients use. TOC is a simpler protocol that AOL introduced for its Java-based "Quickbuddy" AIM client.

Q: What platforms are clients being developed for?
A: The Aim client has been developed for:

Windows (95, 98, 2000 and NT)
Macintosh
Java application (compiled and cross platform)
Linux

Q: Where is my buddy list stored?
A: Currently, your buddy list is stored on AOL's servers.

Q: Can I create new accounts using AIM? Can I change the passwords on my current accounts?
A: Yes, if you select as signon screenname and click sign on, AIM will bring an instruction dialog for how to create a new account. You can change your password and email address by going to My AIM-> Change Options menu.

Q: When will features such as search for a friend be available? How about buddy icons or file transfers?
A:We are continually working on adding new features to AIM. New builds will be released when developed.

Q: What do I do if upon sign-on my window disappears?
A: Remove your ~/.aim/'username'/profile or modify the ImWnd line under the [WindowPos] header to any smaller number.

Q: I get a segmentation fault when I try to start aim after upgrading. What should I do?
A: Type cd ~/.aim and delete the file "Xpcs Registry.dat" which will be in that directory. (The ~ is a shortcut for your home directory.) If you still have trouble starting aim, please file a bug report.

Q: Sometimes when I try and run AIM, AIM crashes. What should I do?
A: When you run AIM, it looks for the library libstdc++-lib6.1-1.so.2. However, the latest Debian version doesn't come with this file by default, it comes with a newer version. You need to softlinking the new file to the old filename though: ln -s /usr/lib/libstdc++-libc6.1-2.so.3 /usr/lib/libstdc++-libc6.1-1.so.2

Q: I do not have root access. Can I still install AIM?
A: Yes. If you use the .tgz build, do "tar -zxvf file" on it, then move the usr/local/lib/aim directory to your home directory. Set a variable LD_LIBRARY_PATH to point to the usr/local/lib directory (or move the files inside that to another directory, and point to that). AIM will be found in usr/local/bin/aim.

Q: When I upgrade my AIM version, it crashes. What can be done?
A: If you crash during an upgrade process, remove the old version of AIM. You can do this by issuing the following two commands (without the quotes): "rm -rf ~/.aim" and "rm -rf /usr/local/lib/aim". Make sure that the /usr/local/lib/aim directory was removed. After you do this, proceed with installing the newest version of AIM.