I have yet to meet a single person who says a bad thing about AIM. There are many advantages to using AIM, which are discussed here. However, you should be aware of one fact: AIM IS FREE. That’s correct. Downloading this messenger service will not cost you a single penny. All you have to do is download, create a user name(or sign on with your existing user name/password), and start talking!

Popularity
A lot of my friends and relatives use AIM. So, if everyone else is using, I thought it would be a good idea for me to use it also. There are other instant messaging services available: Yahoo IM, Compuserve IM, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger, Rediff Bol. With all these options, why is AIM so popular? I cannot figure it out. Anyway, what is important to know is that AIM allows many users to keep in touch with each other, and that is an important advantage.

Ease of Use
I talk my dad, who has computer phobia to use this. To understand what I mean, you have to picture my dad trying to turn the computer on. Think hard. Can’t see anything? Okay, my dad will never turn the computer on because he is afraid to, but I do it for him. However, he can use AIM. Amazing, isn’t it? Not really because AIM is ridiculously easy to use. Download it and see.


Omnipresence/The Away Message
A great feature included with AIM is the away message. This allows you to use AIM and do other tasks at the same time. Other users know that your are signed on with AIM but you are not sitting at the computer. They can instant message you and leave a message for you. You will be able to view this message when you return to the computer and can respond at your will. Often, I leave AIM on while I am at work. This allows me to sign on with AIM and still complete my job.

Cost
I still keep in touch with friends in California, Florida and New York. I also talk online with my relatives in India and UK. If I were to call them, I would have an incredibly expensive phone bill. I can talk as long as I like with worrying about how many minutes I am spending on AIM. Another thing to note is that AIM is just like a phone call, minus the warmth of a human voice. By that, I mean that you are talking to the other person at that exact moment by typing words into the box.

Overall
I cannot emphasize enough how great AIM is. If you have not download it, you should get started. And if you have, …well you know what I am talking about.


Recommended: Yes