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Answers
- Do I need to be an AOL
member to use Instant Messenger?
No, anyone who has Internet access can use
Instant Messenger! All you need to do is register,
download the software, and install it on your
computer. You can use Instant Messenger to talk to
Internet users and over 10 million AOL members,
regardless of whether they're using their office or
school network or a local Internet Service
Provider.
- Do AOL members
need to register for Instant Messenger?
No, if you are already an AOL member using AOL 3.0 (or
higher) software, you already have access to the Buddy
List™ and Instant Message™ features. To set
up your Buddy List, go to the "Members" menu item and
then select "Buddy Lists" from the drop down menu. You
don't need anything new to send an Instant Message to
people on the Internet - just be sure to add your new
"Buddies" to your Buddy List when they register to use
Instant Messenger.
If you want to send instant messages when you're
connected to the Internet from a service other than
America Online, such as a work or school connection,
you'll need to register for Instant Messenger and
download the software. The good news is that you can
register
and use your America Online screen name.
- What do I need to
get started using Instant Messenger?
All you need is the Instant Messenger software and a
computer with a connection to the Internet. Instant
Messenger runs on your existing Internet connection,
so when you connect to the Internet (in the usual
way), you can use Instant Messenger just like you
would use any other Internet program -- by
double-clicking the program icon. At home, you
probably connect to the Internet by dialing in to your
Internet Service Provider. At the office or school,
your computer will most likely be connected to a Local
Area Network (LAN).
As a rule of thumb: If you're reading this using
the Web browser on your computer, you're connected to
the Internet, and you can sign on and use Instant
Messenger with no more dialing or other connections to
worry about. It's that easy!
- Okay, I've
registered. How do I confirm my registration?
You will receive an e-mail asking you to confirm your
registration request. You must respond to this e-mail
within 48 hours to complete your registration. If you
don't respond to this e-mail within 48 hours, you will
have to re-register by completing the entire process
again. (The confirmation e-mail will tell you how to
respond.)
- What if I
accidentally typed the wrong e-mail address during
registration?
You can easily update your e-mail address while signed
on to Instant Messenger. While signed on, click the
"Netscape AOL Instant Messenger" button in the lower
left corner of your Buddy List, then select "Options"
and "Change E-mail Address." Just follow the
instructions and your e-mail address will be
updated.
- What if the
screen name I want is taken?
If the screen name you want is already taken, try
variations of that name, or select another. Remember,
you have up to 10 letters, numbers, and spaces with
which to play. For example, if the screen name you
want is "Hearty," try using "Heart101," "NYC Heart,"
etc. Please see Hints
on Choosing a Screen Name for more tips.
- How can I find
other Instant Messenger users?
You can easily find other Instant Messenger users.
First, click on the "Netscape AOL Instant Messenger"
button in the lower left corner of your Buddy List.
Then, click on "Find a Buddy." At this point, you can
search for your buddy by his or her e-mail
address.
- What's the
difference between "Save Password" and
"Auto-login?"
These options save you time when you sign on to
Instant Messenger. Checking the "Save Password" box
means that you won't have to enter your password each
time you log in - all you have to do is click the
"Sign On" button. This saves time, but keep in mind
that other people using your computer will be able to
sign on using your screen name.
When you select "Save Password," you will also have
the option to select the "Auto-login" box. With "Save
Password" and "Auto-login" both selected, you will
automatically be signed on to Instant Messenger
whenever you double-click on the Instant Messenger
icon on your computer.
- Why am I
having problems registering?
When registering
for Instant Messenger, please double-check and make
sure that you've typed in all of the following items
correctly in the spaces provided:
- Have you typed your e-mail address correctly,
in the proper format? (example:
joeuser@abc.com)
- If you are an AOL member, be sure that you
typed in the zip code listed in your AOL account
information.
- Did you choose a password and enter it
correctly twice?
- Did you choose a screen name that isn't already
in use?
- How can I tell my
friends about Instant Messenger?
It's easy to let your friends know about Instant
Messenger. Next time you sign on to Instant Messenger
(or if you're signed on right now), just click on the
"Netscape AOL Instant Messenger" button in the lower
left corner of your Buddy List and then on "Sign On a
Friend."
- What can I do if I'm
having trouble using Instant Messenger at
work?
If you're experiencing problems connecting to Instant
Messenger from your office network, talk to your
Network or System Administrator. Chances are you're
behind a 'firewall,' and need to ask your System
Administrator to open up port 5190 (this is
Instant Messenger's 'default' port, which is like a
secure door in your company's firewall).
- What can I do if I forget
my password?
At this time, Instant Messenger will not allow you to
reset your password at the login stage. So, if
you forget your password, you will have to re-register
and select a new screen name and password.
- Can I change my
password once I'm signed on to Instant
Messenger?
Yes, to change your password while you're signed on to
Instant Messenger, click the "Netscape AOL Instant
Messenger" button in the lower left corner of the
Instant Messenger window. From there, select "Options"
and then select "Change Password."
- Can I transfer my
Buddy List to different computers?
If you want to use your customized Buddy Lists on
different computers (like a home and office computer),
you don't have to re-type all your Buddies and
re-enter all your Preferences. You can use the
Load/Save feature to easily "export" your Buddy
List and Preferences on to another computer. Just
click on the "Netscape AOL Instant Messenger" button
and then select "Load/Save." The "Save Buddy List"
option allows you to save your Buddy List and
Preferences as a text file and the "Load Buddy List"
option allows you to import the file to a new
computer.
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