AIM: Starting Out

AIM Home > Get Help > Starting Out

The Basics

This FAQ provides answers to basic questions about AOL Instant Messenger: hardware and software requirements, registration, and the relationship between the free AIM that's open to everyone and the version of AIM that's reserved for AOL members. Last but not least, it tells you how to get your friends involved so you can start making the service a part of your life.

Choose from the following topics to start:

• What's AIM?

• Installation

• Registration

• Screen Names

• Passwords

• Building Your Buddy List?

• Sending IMs

• Participating in Chat