AOL Instant Messenger Tutorial

Despite the simplicity of AOL Instant Messenger, there are many fun and beneficial things you can do with it! What you need to do first is sign up for a free Instant Messenger screen name. You need to go to AIM's website that's provided in the links list. You must also download the most recent version of AIM. You can do it in whatever order you'd like to. Use your screen name and password to sign on to AIM. Next thing you need to do is configure your buddy list. There are sections by default. These sections are Buddies, Family, and Co-Workers. If you would like to change those titles go to set up (the button with the + and -) click it and then right click on the title you'd like to change. It will have the option to "Edit name". Also, something cool you can do while you're in the set up area there's also an option to "sort list". This will make your buddies go in alphabetical order.

There are two ways that you can add buddies. You can go to the set up button and click it. Click the section you'd want to add your buddy and then click add buddy, and type in the screen name of your friend. The other way you can add someone to your list is in the actual IM box itself. On the bottom of the Instant Message it says "add buddy". Click that and it'll take you to the same set up screen that you use to manually add buddies. Now that we have that covered…what about when you want to go away? Well, they have an option for you to put an away message up while you go to eat or do whatever in the world you would need to go do. Go to "My AIM", select "Away Message", and "New Message…". Type what you would like your buddies to know and click "I'm Away", if you're going away. If you would like to use this away message more than once, then check the save box before pressing "I'm Away".

Do you have a buddy icon you would like to use? First, make sure that your icon is where you can find it. Also make sure that it's no larger than 50x50. Go to My AIM, then Edit Options, and then Edit Preferences. Look on the left side and find "Buddy Icons". Go to "browse pc" and find the buddy icon you want to use if it's on your computer. Also, if you don't have one on your computer you can find something on the right side of the window. After selecting your buddy icon, click Okay.

Would you like to create a profile? Great! Go to My AIM, edit profile, if you'd like for people to search for you on AIM then provide what information you're willing to provide. Click next. If you're interested in chat, check "I'm interested in Chat". Click next, again. This part is where you add the information that you'd like your buddies to see. After you're done adding everything, click FINISH.

Next thing that I want to tell you about is GET FILE. This is where you can share and get files through AIM. Before anything, we have to go back to My Aim->edit options->edit preferences. Go to "File Sharing". Follow the directions provided. Click Apply. Then go to "File Transfer" and follow the directions provided there. Click Apply again. While we're there, go to "Direct IM "and follow the directions there. This is so that you can send and receive pictures through your IM window.

Now we're going to talk about a couple fun tricks that I've found over the years to make AIM even more exciting! If you would like to talk to someone while you're signed off, direct connect with them while still signed on and then sign off. You will not be disconnected from that window unless you're kicked offline or you close it yourself. Well, there you have it! AOL Instant Messenger basics and fun things you can do with it. Have fun chatting it up!