Basics of the free AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) program
When you install the America Online or AOL
Instant Messenger (IM) AIM program it will by default be installed
in:
C:\Program Files\Netscape\Communicator\Program\AIM.
If you do not leave the put icon on desktop checkbox checked
during install you could have a hard time finding and using
your AOL AIM after you have installed it.
You can send instant messages email, chat invitations, instant
greetings and talk online
and by phone with other AIM users through AIM.
You can use AIM to find a buddy by using search variables such as zip code and city
but you have to input the first or last name of the buddy you are looking for.
To do this while using AIM hit alt
(the key labeled alt on your keyboard) P-f-n. You can also find buddies who have common
interests through alt P-f-c.
alt p-o if you have the screen name and the person
whose info you want allows it, you can get info on the buddy currently hilited in
the buddy list.
alt p-s sign on a friend only available if you respond to a confirmation email message.
alt p-i send instant message this only works if the user is available
alt p c chat invitation the chat to which the person is invited is listed by some long number.
alt p c scroll down to send im greeting opens web page where you can choose from a bunch
of corny greeting card like things to send to someone.
alt pe takes you to a web page where a netscape email account has been opened for you
there you can send a message by email address but not by buddy name.
alt p scroll down to edit email address allows you to add info re the email address and name
of the buddy that is currently hilited in the buddy list.
alt p-a allows you to make changes re whether and how you are alerted re the AIM
status of the buddy currently hilited in the buddy list.
alt-p-m allows you to establish a direct connection with the buddy currently hilited in the
buddy list. This can only be done if that buddy is currently online. This direct connection
bypasses the AOL censors so as to enable the buddy to send you objectionable content.
alt-p-t allows you to if your buddy is online make a direct connection with your buddy so that you
can talk to him.
alt-p-p allows you to call telephones from your computer.
alt-p and then the dash sign allows you to add the currently hilited buddy to various programs
that you and the buddy can then both simultaneously be involved with.
alt-p-n allows you to send files and folders on your hard drive to the currently hilited buddy.
alt-p-g allows you to get files and folders from a folder on your buddy's hard drive
alt-p-d allows you to set the icon the currently hilited buddy will be identified by in your instant
message sessions with that buddy.
alt-p-r allows you to set a comment for the buddy currently hilited in the buddy list. Then
when you right click on that buddy in the list, and hit r, the comment you set for that
buddy will appear in a dialog box.
alt-p-b allows you to store phone numbers of the buddy hilited in the buddy list
alt-p-l allows you to block the buddy currently hilited in the buddy list so that that buddy
and you cannot communicate through AIM.
alt-p-w opens the "wizard"dialog box that teaches you how to look for buddies by screen
name, name and geographical area and common interest.
alt-p-f-e allows you to search for a buddy by email address: you input the email address of
the buddy and info re the buddy is returned.
alt-p-f-n allows you to search for a buddy by name and geographical area.
alt-p-f-c allows you to look for a buddy by common interest.
Right clicking on a buddy name in the buddy list and hitting
n allows you to copy the buddy name to the clipboard
so that you can paste it where you want to paste it.
Rite-clik on buddy name-e, allows you to send an email
to that buddy; if you have not listed an email address for
that buddy you will be prompted to enter one.
Rite-clik buddy name, L alows you to change what you
have ordered the computer to do re notifying you re
changes in the AIM status of the buddy.
Rite-clik buddy name, d, allows you to change the icon
you have set to represent the particular buddy.
Rite-clik buddy name, p, allows you to change the way
in which the buddy list is presented on screen.
Rite-clik buddy name, r, allows you to look at the comment
you have set for that particular buddy and change that
comment.
Rite-clik buddy name, scroll down to "edit email address"
allows you to change the email address you have set for
the particular buddy.
Rite-clik buddy name, s, allows you to see and change
the phone number info you have set for that particular
buddy.
Rite-clik buddy name, b, allows you to block the particular
buddy so that you and that buddy cannot communicate.
alt-m options generally allow you to set up the way
the AIM application will look while you are dealing with it.
The defaults are sufficient for learning to use AIM.
alt-m-a, scroll to "new message":
allows you to set an away message to be sent to people
who try to contact you when you are not at your computer.
alt-m-a , scroll to "edit away messages":
Displays the "AOL Instant Messenger Preferences"
dialog box, with the category preset for you to
"Away message", so you can add delete and change
away messages and set whether they will
be displayed. By changing the category to
"idle message" you can change the message displayed
to those who attempt to contact you
if you have not hit a key or moved the mouse for ten minutes
and set whether or not such a message will be displayed.
alt-m-a, scroll to name of away message, and click on it:
If you click the "I'm back" button the AIM application
will stop responding to attempts to contact you with the
"I'm away" message.