AOL Instant Messenger didn't become the leader in Instant Messaging for no reason. AIM is easy to use, slim, fairly fast and free. However, it doesn't pack the power to compete with ICQ on the tech-savvy side of instant messaging.

AIM's interface is simple, clean, and intuitive. Navigating is a snap. With only a few clicks of a mouse you can delete users, block others, and add a few friends. Easy-to-use groups allow you to sort all of your contacts by relation, interest, or anything you could desire. When it comes to interface, not much beats AOL Instant Messenger.

Chatting is real-time only, however. You cannot leave a message to someone who is offline, which is a major drawback to many people. The chat itself is rather unsophisticated, but is easy to use and has a basic yet effective spam filter (even though the filter would be more effective if it were adjustable). The warning and block systems were designed to warn others about unfriendly or malicious users but is either misused or hardly used at all; massive "warn wars" rage throughout AIM, where factions of friends try their hardest to knock an enemy offline.

The file transfer utility is nice, but it isn't that great and is rather slow. It is, like most of AIM, very easy to use, and obviously geared toward novice users.

The bottom line: If you are desiring a quick-and-dirty chat program that is no-fuss and without frills, AIM is for you.



Recommended: Yes