AIM IDs

[BILLW]

When this website was updated some time back one of the things to get revised was the 'profile' area. A new field that was included was the AIM ID. AOL instant messenger is a lot more 'real time' than the private message function that was also a new feature added.
If one had corfid members defined on their buddy list then one would know who was logged on and available. Using AIM would also provide off-site capability to those whose comments might be appropriately directed to only one person.

We use AIM at work when communication needs to be 'instant' and we have had some good results. Check out the website , it's all free.

http://www.aim.com/

Bill :)

I'm assuming with so many computer savvy folks here at corfid that this is old news to many of you so forgive me if that's the case. I also sense that some of you like lurking in the shadows and AIM is a 'bright light' type thing, LOL

[johnfowles]

Well brought up Bill
I have now edited my profile to include my AIM name. it is unusual and arose when back in 1999 when for a brief period
in the UK I was using AOL as my ISP (probably intending it initially only as a short term free trial)However I carried on using it after I came to the States in 2000 really just for the email facility until sometime after 2001 when as part of an online distance learning for disabled programme I was given a 12 month account with a New Jersey ISP . I had meanwhile tried to tame AIM and found that repeatedly it refused to register me simply as my name. so in despair I said "OK you tell me"
and that became my AOL name
JohnFowles
In trying to encourage a UK friend to use AIM I did write up a bit of instructions see:-
http://www.littlejim.shorturl.com
(shorturl.com does not accept any short url containing the acronym AOL hence "little Jim" in honour of the ArchGoon Bluebottle's baby brother)
If you read my screed you will find that it starts with a:-
Note
"Because AIM and the instant message system that comes with AOL might look similar and perform some of the same functions but they are different programs.
The main difference seems to be that AOL's instant message program does not have
the file transfer option. Only AIM has it. Remember, AIM and the Instant
message system that comes with AOL are not the same thing. They only interact with each other, but are in fact different programs"
Which in my book is excedingly dumb
I also included this jolly little animated gif file
http://johnfowles.org.uk/LIGHTFOOT/chatroom/aolanimation.gif
John Fowles

[BILLW]

John,

Thanks for posting the follow-up. With the new version of AIM you can IM (instant message) quite a few people at once, sort of like chatting.
The format is sort of the other end of the spectrum from this board where one has unlimited time to think about a response.
I had been thinking of a roll-call type post asking everyone who has an AIM ID to share it with the membership here. It's sort of tedious going through each profile to see who has one, LOL.
But judging by the non-response to this topic I don't think there would be too many volunteers,LOL.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained !

Bill :)

[charlene]

omigosh Bill!
I can barely keep up with the stuff here!
lol

How about downloading www.skype.com (http://www.skype.com) and talking on the phone...one on one??? Conference call???
can you just hear it now?????
lol
It's a great thing that www.skype.com (http://www.skype.com) - I've talked to Fiji, Florida, Toronto, and Greece - FREE!!!

[BILLW]

char,

yer right ! halfway through my original post I thought "ya know - I bet most people on corfid are gonna ignore this one" LOL

As far as phones I prefer the old fashioned wall unit or even a cell phone now & again...

Bill :)

[charlene]

With Skype you can use the phone as well!
lol
I don't own a cell phone...still have two old rotary phones in my spare room!
The cordless I got for the kitchen was 3 years old and stopped working. The other phones around the house are at least 20 years old...working just like they did when new...
lol

[Jesse Joe]

That is interesting BillW, you never know? But Skype being free, this almost unbeleivable...Jesse. :)

[DJ in MJ]

Skype is great. I use it to keep in touch with the gang back in Canadia.

Gizmo is another Skype-like service that allows free calls to PCs, landlines, AND cell phones!

www.gizmoproject.com (http://www.gizmoproject.com)

www.skype.com (http://www.skype.com)

[charlene]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by David (djb):
Skype is great. I use it to keep in touch with the gang back in Canadia.

Gizmo is another Skype-like service that allows free calls to PCs, landlines, AND cell phones!

QUOTE]

Cell phones too! I'll look into that...and tell my brother-in-law and sister...
He also has a camera on the computer - pretty funny stuff...I'll have to get one now!
The other day he was showing me how he was repairing his laptop as we chatted..lol