AIM (software)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  (Redirected from AOL Instant Messanger)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

AIM
AIM's logo introduced in December 2011, replacing the earlier "running man" mascot
AIM's logo introduced in December 2011, replacing the earlier "running man" mascot
Windows version of AIM (2013 release)
Windows version of AIM (2013 release)
Developer(s)AOL
Initial releaseMay 1997; 22 years ago (1997-05)
Written inC++, Adobe Flash
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, Windows Mobile, macOS, Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Android TV
TypeInstant messaging
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.aim.com

AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) was an instant messaging and presence computer program created by AOL, which used the proprietary OSCAR instant messaging protocol and the TOC protocol to allow registered users to communicate in real time.

AIM was popular from the late 1990s to the late 2000s in North America, and was the leading instant messaging application in that region. AIM's popularity declined steeply in the early 2010s as Internet social networks like Facebook and Twitter gained popularity, and its fall has often been compared with other once-popular Internet services such as Myspace.[1]

In June 2015, AOL was acquired by Verizon Communications.[2][3] In June 2017, Verizon combined AOL and Yahoo into its subsidiary Oath Inc (now called Verizon Media). The company discontinued AIM as a service on December 15, 2017.[4]

History[edit]

AOL Instant Messenger was initially integrated into AOL Desktop and later also released as a stand-alone download by America Online (AOL) in May 1997 for Microsoft Windows.[5] AIM was an outgrowth of "online messages" in the original platform written in PL/1 on a Stratus computer by Dave Brown. The software, maintained by AOL, Inc., at one time had the largest share of the instant messaging market in North America, especially in the United States (with 52% of the total reported as of 2006).[6] This does not include other instant messaging software related to or developed by AOL, such as ICQ and iChat.

AIM version 4.7 (released 2001)

Its main competitors during its heyday were ICQ (although AOL acquired it in 1998), Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger. AOL particularly had a rivalry or "chat war" with rival Microsoft starting in 1999. There were several attempts from Microsoft to simultaneously log into their own and AIM's protocol servers. AOL were not happy about this and started blocking MSN Messenger from being able to access AIM.[7][8]

AIM version 6.8 (released 2008)

Official mobile versions of AIM appeared as early as 2001 on Palm OS through the AOL application.[9] Third-party applications allowed it to be used in 2002 for the Sidekick.[10] A version for Symbian OS was announced in 2003[11] and others for BlackBerry[12] and Windows Mobile[13]

After 2012, stand-alone official AIM client software includes advertisements and was available for Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, Classic Mac OS, macOS, Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS.[14]

Usage decline and product sunset[edit]

Around 2011, AIM started to lose popularity rapidly, partly due to the quick rise of Gmail and its built-in real-time Google Chat instant messenger integration in 2011 and because many people started purely moving onto SMS text messaging and later social networking Web sites for instant messaging, in particular, Facebook Messenger, which was released as a standalone application the same year.

As of June 2011, one source reported AOL Instant Messenger market share had collapsed to 0.73%.[15] However, this number only reflects installed IM applications, and not active users. The engineers responsible for AIM claimed that they were unable to convince AOL management that free was the future.[16]

On March 3, 2012, AOL ended employment of AIM's development staff while leaving it active and with help support still provided.[17] On October 6, 2017, it was announced that the AIM service would be discontinued on December 15;[18][4][19] however, a non-profit development team known as Wildman Productions started up a server for older versions of AOL Instant Messenger known as AIM Phoenix.[20]

The "Running Man"[edit]

The "Running Man"

The AIM mascot was designed by JoRoan Lazaro and was implemented in the first release in 1997. This was a yellow stickman-like figure, often called the "Running Man". The mascot appeared on all AIM logos and most wordmarks, and always appeared at the top of the buddy list. AIM's popularity in the late 1990s and the 2000s led to the "Running Man" becoming a familiar brand on the Internet. After over 14 years, the iconic logo finally disappeared as part of the AIM rebranding in 2011. However, in August 2013, the "Running Man" once again returned.[21]

In 2014, a Complex editor called it a "symbol of America".[22] In April 2015 the Running Man was officially featured in the Virgin London Marathon, dressed by a person for the AOL-partnered Free The Children charity.[23]

Protocol[edit]

The standard protocol that AIM clients used to communicate is called Open System for CommunicAtion in Realtime (OSCAR). Most AOL-produced versions of AIM and popular third party AIM clients use this protocol. However, AOL also created a simpler protocol called TOC that lacks many of OSCAR's features, but was sometimes used for clients that only require basic chat functionality. The TOC/TOC2 protocol specifications were made available by AOL, while OSCAR is a closed protocol that third parties have had to reverse-engineer.

In January 2008, AOL introduced experimental Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) support for AIM,[24] allowing AIM users to communicate using the standardized, open-source XMPP. However, in March 2008, this service was discontinued.[citation needed] In May 2011, AOL started offering limited XMPP support.[25] On March 1, 2017, AOL announced (via XMPP-login-time messages[26]) that the AOL XMPP gateway would be desupported, effective March 28, 2017.

Privacy[edit]

For privacy regulations, AIM had strict age restrictions. AIM accounts are available only for people over the age of 13; children younger than that were not permitted access to AIM.[27]

Under the AIM Privacy Policy, AOL had no rights to read or monitor any private communications between users. The profile of the user had no privacy.[27]

In November 2002, AOL targeted the corporate industry with Enterprise AIM Services (EAS), a higher security version of AIM.[28]

If public content was accessed, it could be used for online, print or broadcast advertising, etc. This was outlined in the policy and terms of service: "... you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this Content in any medium". This allowed anything users posted to be used without a separate request for permission.[27]

The issue of AIM's security was called into question. AOL stated that it had taken great steps to insure that personal information will not be accessed by unauthorized members, but that it cannot guarantee that it will not happen.[27]

AIM was different from other clients, such as Yahoo! Messenger, in that it did not require approval from users to be added to other users' buddy lists. As a result, it was possible for users to keep other unsuspecting users on their buddy list to see when they were online, read their status and away messages, and read their profiles. There was also a Web API to display one's status and away message as a widget on one's webpage.[29] Though one could block a user from communicating with them and seeing their status, this did not prevent that user from creating a new account that would not automatically be blocked and therefore able to track their status. A more conservative privacy option was to select a menu feature that only allowed communication with users on one's buddy list; however, this option also created the side-effect of blocking all users who were not on one's buddy list.

Chat robots[edit]

AOL and various other companies supplied robots (bots) on AIM that could receive messages and send a response based on the bot's purpose. For example, bots could help with studying, like StudyBuddy. Some were made to relate to children and teenagers, like Spleak.

Others gave advice, and others were for more general purposes, such as false. The more useful chat bots had features like the ability to play games, get sport scores, weather forecasts or financial stock information. Users were able to talk to automated chat bots that could respond to natural human language. They were primarily put into place as a marketing strategy and for unique advertising options. It was used by advertisers to market products or build better consumer relations.[30]

Before the inclusions of such bots, the other bots DoorManBot and AIMOffline provided features that were provided by AOL for those who needed it. ZolaOnAOL and ZoeOnAOL were short-lived bots that ultimately retired their features in favor of SmarterChild.

URI scheme[edit]

AOL Instant Messenger's installation process automatically installed an extra URI scheme ("protocol") handler into some Web browsers, so URIs beginning "aim:" could open a new AIM window with specified parameters. This was similar in function to the mailto: URI scheme, which created a new e-mail message using the system's default mail program. For instance, a webpage might have included a link like the following in its HTML source to open a window for sending a message to the AIM user notarealuser: 

<a href="aim:goim?screenname=notarealuser">Send Message</a>

To specify a message body, the message parameter was used, so the link location would have looked like this: 

aim:goim?screenname=notarealuser&message=This+is+my+message

To specify an away message, the message parameter was used, so the link location would have looked like this: 

aim:goaway?message=Hello,+my+name+is+Bill

When placing this inside a URL link, an AIM user could click on the URL link and the away message "Hello, my name is Bill" would instantly become their away message.

To add a buddy, the addbuddy message was used, with the "screenname" parameter 

aim:addbuddy?screenname=notarealuser

This type of link was commonly found on forum profiles to easily add contacts.

Vulnerabilities[edit]

AIM had security weaknesses that have enabled exploits to be created that used third-party software to perform malicious acts on users' computers.[31] Although most were relatively harmless, such as being kicked off the AIM service, others performed potentially dangerous actions such as sending viruses. Some of these exploits relied on social engineering to spread by automatically sending instant messages that contained a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) accompanied by text suggesting the receiving user click on it, an action which leads to infection, i.e., a trojan. These messages could easily be mistaken as coming from a friend and contain a link to a Web address that installed software on the user's computer to restart the cycle.

Users also have reported sudden additions of toolbars and advertisements from third parties in the newer version of AIM. Multiple complaints about the lack of control of third party involvement have caused many users to stop using the service.[31]

Extra features[edit]

iPhone application[edit]

On March 6, 2008, during Apple Inc.'s iPhone SDK event, AOL announced that they would be releasing an AIM application for iPhone and iPod Touch users. The application is available for free from the App Store, but the company also provides a paid version, which displays no advertisements. Both are available from the App Store. The AIM client for iPhone and iPod Touch supports standard AIM accounts as well as MobileMe accounts. There is also an express version of AIM accessible through the Safari browser on the iPhone and iPod Touch.[32]

In 2011, AOL launched an overhaul of their Instant Messaging service. Included in the update was a brand new iOS application for iPhone and iPod Touch that incorporated all the latest features. A brand new icon was used for the application, featuring the new cursive logo for AIM. The user-interface was entirely redone for the features including: a new buddy list, group messaging, in-line photos and videos, as well as improved file-sharing.[33]

Currently[when?] the application is in version 5.0.5, which was updated as of March 2012. In the latest iteration, it supports more social stream features, much like Facebook and Twitter, as well as the ability to send voice messages up to 60 seconds long.[34]

iPad application[edit]

On April 3, 2010, Apple released the first generation iPad. Along with this newly released device AOL released the AIM application for iPad. It was built entirely from scratch for the new version iOS with a specialized user-interface for the device. It supports geo location, Facebook status updates and chat, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and many social networking platforms.[35]

AIM Express[edit]

AIM Express ran in a pop-up browser window. It was intended for use by people who are unwilling or unable to install a standalone application or those at computers that lack the AIM application. AIM Express supported many of the standard features included in the stand-alone client, but did not provide advanced features like file transfer, audio chat, video conferencing, or buddy info. It was implemented in Adobe Flash.[36] It was an upgrade to the prior AOL Quick Buddy, which was later available for older systems that cannot handle Express before being discontinued. Express and Quick Buddy were similar to MSN Web Messenger and Yahoo! Web Messenger. This web version evolved into AIM.com's web-based messenger.

AIM Pages[edit]

Main article: AIM Pages

AIM Pages was released in May 2006, allowing the 63 million AIM users to create an online, dynamic profile. The buddy list serves as the basis for the AIM Page social networking service. An AIM Page is built using modules following the ModuleT microformat. AIM Pages was discontinued in late 2007.

AIM for Mac[edit]

AOL released an all-new AIM for the Macintosh on September 29, 2008 and the final build on December 15, 2008. The redesigned AIM for Mac is a full universal binary Cocoa API application that supports both Tiger and Leopard — Mac OS X 10.4.8 (and above) or Mac OS X 10.5.3 (and above). On October 1, 2009, AOL released AIM 2.0 for Mac.

AIM real-time IM[edit]

This feature is available for AIM 7 and allows for a user to see what the other is typing as it is being done. It was developed and built with assistance from Trace Research and Development Centre at University of Wisconsin–Madison and Gallaudet University. The application provides visually impaired users the ability to convert messages from text (words) to speech.[37] For the application to work users must have AIM 6.8 or higher, as it is not compatible with older versions of AIM software, AIM for Mac or iChat.[37]

AIM to mobile (messaging to phone numbers)[edit]

This feature allows text messaging to a phone number (text messaging is less functional than instant messaging).[38]

Discontinued features[edit]

AIM for Phoneline[edit]

AIM Phoneline was a Voice over IP PC-PC, PC-Phone and Phone-to-PC service[39] provided via the AIM application. It was also known to work with Apple's iChat Client.

Launched on May 16, 2006, AIM Phoneline provided users the ability to have several local numbers, allowing AIM users to receive free incoming calls.[40] The service allowed users to make calls to landlines and mobile devices through the use of a computer. The service, however, was only free for receiving and AOL charged users $14.95 a month for an unlimited calling plan.[41]

In order to use AIM Phoneline users had to install the latest free version of AIM Triton software and needed a good set of headphones with a boom microphone. It could take several days after a user signed up before it started working.[41]

On January 13, 2009, the service was officially closed. The closing of the free service caused the number associated with the service to be disabled and not transferable for a different service.[42]

AIM Call Out[edit]

AIM Call Out is a discontinued Voice over IP PC-PC, PC-Phone and Phone-to-PC service provided by AOL via its AIM application that replaced the defunct AIM Phoneline service in November 2007.[43] It did not depend on the AIM client and could be used with only an AIM screenname via the WebConnect feature or a dedicated SIP device. The AIM Call Out service was shut down on March 25, 2009.[44]

Security[edit]

On November 4, 2014, AIM scored one out of seven points on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's secure messaging scorecard. AIM received a point for encryption during transit, but lost points because communications are not encrypted with a key to which the provider has no access, i.e., the communications are not end-to-end encrypted, users can't verify contacts' identities, past messages are not secure if the encryption keys are stolen, (i.e., the service does not provide forward secrecy), the code is not open to independent review, i.e., the code is not open-source), the security design is not properly documented, and there has not been a recent independent security audit.[45][46] BlackBerry Messenger, Ebuddy XMS, Hushmail, Kik Messenger, Skype, Viber, and Yahoo! Messenger also scored one out of seven points.[45]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Abbruzzese, Jason. "The Rise and Fall of AIM, the Breakthrough AOL Never Wanted". mashable.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  2. ^ Imbert, Fred (May 12, 2015). "Verizon to buy AOL for $4.4B; AOL shares soar". CNBC. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  3. ^ Sawers, Paul (June 23, 2015). "Verizon completes $4.4B acquisition of AOL". VentureBeat. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Albers, Michael. "Our Yellow Running Man is Ready to Retire". AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) on Tumblr. Oath Inc. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  5. ^ Abbruzzese, Jason. "The Rise and Fall of AIM, the Breakthrough AOL Never Wanted". Mashable.com. 2014-04-05.
  6. ^ "IM Market Share — BigBlueBall Forums". Bigblueball.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  7. ^ Warren, Tom (April 21, 2014). "Inside Microsoft's '90s chat war with AOL". theverge.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  8. ^ "Chat Wars". nplusonemag.com. March 25, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  9. ^ "Palm introduces new m105 PDA". Macworld. March 6, 2001. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  10. ^ Geller, Jonathan S. (October 2, 2007). "Mobile IM clients: Sidekick, Helio Ocean, BlackBerry, iPhone, and more". bgr.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  11. ^ Charny, Ben. "AOL and Symbian cosy up". ZDNet. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  12. ^ "Get your official BlackBerry IM clients now, if you dare". Engadget. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  13. ^ "AIM's Windows Mobile chat app nails a bullseye — The Download Blog — CNET Download.com". cnet.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  14. ^ "Products AIM". Products AIM. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  15. ^ "OPSWAT Market Share Report June 2011" (PDF). opswat.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 2, 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
  16. ^ "The Rise and Fall of AIM, the Breakthrough AOL Never Wanted". Mashable.
  17. ^ Biddle, Sam. "AIM Is (Unofficially) Dead (Updated)". gizmodo.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  18. ^ "AIM Sunset". AOL Help Article. Archived from the original on October 6, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  19. ^ Molina, Brett (October 6, 2017). "RIP AIM: AOL Instant Messenger dies in December". USA Today. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  20. ^ Brown, Dalvin (June 26, 2018). "AOL's instant messenger is back: Meet AIM Phoenix". USA Today.
  21. ^ LaFrance, Adrienne. "The Story Behind AOL's Iconic Yellow Running Man". theatlantic.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  22. ^ "AOL Designer Explains the Company's Iconic Yellow Running Man Logo". complex.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  23. ^ "AOL's Running Man takes part in London Marathon in Support of Free The Children". aol.co.uk. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  24. ^ Florian Jensen (January 17, 2008). "AOL adopting XMPP aka Jabber". Archived from the original on January 20, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2008.
  25. ^ "AOL XMPP Gateway". May 14, 2011. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  26. ^ "Fwd: AOL". March 1, 2017. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  27. ^ a b c d Brandon De Hoyos. "AIM Privacy -- Terms of Service Policy -- AIM Privacy". About.com Tech. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  28. ^ Weiss, Todd R. (November 11, 2002). "AOL Takes AIM at Corporate Instant Messaging Users". Computerworld. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  29. ^ "Integrate Your Site with AIM in 3 Easy Steps" (PDF). AOL Developer Network. AOL Inc. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  30. ^ "tries out new IM chat bot". CNET. January 27, 2003. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "Reviews of AOL Instant Messenger for Windows". January 8, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  32. ^ "Apple Releases iPhone SDK, Demos Spore, Instant Messaging". Mac Rumors. March 6, 2008. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  33. ^ "AOL Overhauls AIM, Adds New iPhone App". PC Magazine. November 16, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  34. ^ "AIM for iPhone 5.0.5". Softpedia. March 20, 2012. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  35. ^ "AIM for iPad Approved, Screenshot". MacStories. April 1, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  36. ^ "www.aim.com/products/express". Aim.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  37. ^ a b "What is Real-Time IM? Source: AOL Help". aniesoft.com. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  38. ^ "How-To use AIM to send a Text Message to a phone". engadget.com. July 13, 2004.
  39. ^ "Press Releases". Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  40. ^ "AIM Phoneline: Free Phone number for AOL Messenger users". Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  41. ^ a b "First Look: AIM Phoneline and Skype 2.5". PCWorld. June 19, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  42. ^ "Free AIM Phoneline Service Closing on January 13, 2009 — VOIP Tech Chat — DSLReports Forums". Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  43. ^ "Looking for AIM Phoneline?". Aimphoneline.com. Retrieved October 2, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  44. ^ "AOL Voice Services no longer offers new registrations". AOL.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  45. ^ a b "Secure Messaging Scorecard. Which apps and tools actually keep your messages safe?". Electronic Frontier Foundation. November 4, 2014. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  46. ^ "Only 6 Messaging Apps Are Truly Secure". PC Magazine. November 5, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2015.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AIM_(software)&oldid=941869345"