AIM Alternatives for Windows
by
Adam "Iconoplast" Baratz
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Introduction
For many Internet users, instant messaging is a necessity. AOL's system is
the most popular and supports a wide variety of features. However, many users
would agree that their client is abominable. Confusing buttons, serpentine menus, and awkward dialog boxes dominate this
program. Newer features feel cobbled on rather than fully integrated. Any
reasonable geek would ask, "couldn't this be better?" Of course it
could.
A conservative solution is to get an add-on program for AIM. For Windows
users,
DeadAIM and
AIM+ work in
tandem with AOL's client. They allow you to reorganize your buddy window's
layout, log conversations, add tabbed chat windows, and take care of other
slight tweaks that can make AIM usable enough.
These programs often get broken when AOL releases new versions of their
client. The same hooks that could hide ads in one release mysteriously vanish in
new revisions of AIM. While there's this constant give-and-take between both parties,
add-on users never have to worry about not being able to use new chat features
or not even being able to login. If an add-on suddenly doesn't work, it can just
be deactivated.
An abominable interface
Add-ons are also cheap. AIM+ is free; DeadAIM is only five bucks. If you like
a lot about AIM, these programs provide quick fixes to smooth out its wrinkles.
But add-ons can only do so much. If using AIM is truly an oppressive
experience for you, the radical step can be made to use a third-party client.
Several groups have produced clients that contain distinct approaches to instant
messaging. Their programs fix problems present in AOL's client and add features
and tweaks of their own.
AOL has their own opinion on the existence of multiple clients. Since they
derive some income from placing ads in their program, the possibility of
users taking advantage of their IM network without paying the rent left them a
bit miffed for some time. Access to AIM was restricted by altering how clients log in. AOL made changes
to their proprietary protocol (called OSCAR) that would ferret out anyone who
wasn't using the official client. However, third-party developers quickly
discovered new workarounds so their programs could continue working.
AOL did provide specs for an alternative protocol (called TOC) intended for
developers of third-party clients. However, TOC contains only the most
rudimentary IM functionality. Users with TOC clients are unable to view away
messages, direct connect, or use many of the other richer features that an OSCAR
client can provide. Many third-party clients contain a TOC implementation in
case there are major changes to OSCAR, but few of them are based around it
completely.
Recently, there haven't been any major issues with third-party clients using
OSCAR. Windows users can now comfortably choose from three major alternatives Gaim,
Trillian, and Miranda which offer as little or as much
flexibility as desired in one's IM experience.
Next: GAIM
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