I have been using AOL Instant Messenger for the past 2 years. I began using it when I started college and I moved away from home. It was free to download, you didn't have to use AOL as an internet provider, and it allowed me to talk to friends and family that were far away.
AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) is very fun and easy to use. My little sister, and even my mom use it to talk to me some evenings while I'm at college.It provides a great way to communicate, minus the phone bill or calling cards.
AIM also has many fun features to personalize your settings. First you have to pick a screen name or a "domain" to go by while chatting. This can be very personal and creative. My AIM screen name is MYbunsBURN. I picked this due to a terrible tanning bed experience when...well...my buns burnt ;)
You can also pick your favorite font, font color, and even back ground color to appear as you type away to who ever it is you chat with. You can also show "emotion" while chatting as well. There are several different smiley faces to pick from that you can insert into the chat. To name a few there are smiling ones, sad ones, winking ones, a girl one, a mad one, one with a foot for a mouth.... which is kind of wierd, and many more.
One other way to personalize your instant messenger is by adding to your info. Each user of AIM is able to add a little bit about themselves in the "info" section for others to read. You can give shout outs to your friends, or just add your favorite quote. Either way it's a great way to personalize.
The only true downfall with AIM is that sometimes it becomes overloaded with users and doesn't connect. Usually after a few tries it allows you in to your cyber world of chat.
All in all, I would recomend AOL Instant Messenger to anyone looking for a free downloadable service to keep in touch with long distance friends and family. It's simple to use, easy to download, and anyone can use it.

Recommended: Yes