RSSAOL Enables Concurrent Logins in AIM
By Nate Mook | Published November 19, 2003, 5:25 PM
AOL has quietly switched on a new feature in its instant messaging network that allows users to be concurrently online from multiple locations using the same screenname. Previously, a user would be disconnected from their original AIM session if they signed in from another computer.
AIM is the first major network to enable such functionality, although Jabber offers a similar feature. But unlike Jabber, AIM broadcasts incoming messages to all active locations simultaneously. Messages will not be sent to idle locations or those set Away. If every location is inactive, messages will then be delivered to all.
According to a Web page offering additional information, the feature was primarily added to accommodate users signed into the AOL client who wish to instead use AIM for messaging purposes. The change follows a recent shift by AOL to move away from its bulky all-encompassing client software.
"The instant message you received was sent to notify you that your screen name is currently signed into the AOL Instant Messaging Network more than once," reads the notice. "This can occur if you log onto AIM and AOL on the same PC. This message is sent to help you manage your instant messaging sessions across PC-based and wireless clients."
AOL in August released AOL Communicator, a standalone application for e-mail and instant messaging targeted at broadband users. The company has been struggling to retain subscribers that have been leaving in droves for faster access through cable and DSL. Both AOL and rival MSN have worked hard to add premium services such as live video to attract such broadband converts.
Dial-up subscribers will also have more flexibility in the next revision of AOL. As first reported by BetaNews, AOL's upcoming "Tahiti" client -- currently in beta testing -- includes a separate dial-up application that precludes narrowband members from having to load the entire AOL client to connect.
One of my friends just had the privacy invasion issue posted above... I already sent some feedback to AOL, saying that it would be better if there was an option to disable that feature, if you're not planning on using it.
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|I'm thinking that this is more of a security risk now though. I know I have a lot of friends who accidentally leave aim on at work or at their college's computer lab. Then you have people getting their messages in both places and other's spying on those messages. Also, I don't get those messages saying I'm signed on in multiple places anymore on my AIM setup.
What I do is stick an AIM or Trillian client on a usb memory stick and run it from there. That way, if the stick isn't plugged in, the client won't work. Now all I gotta do is worry about keyloggers.
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|Since i use the same AOL login from home and work, when I get to work, I was so used to siging on, then having AOL disconnect at home....other wise, I miss messages. When I got home yesterday, I had about 10 messages that I did not recieve at work. Today, I VPN'd home to get AOL disconnected.
Ah, progress ;-)
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|Set your AIM to away before you leave, or enable the idle feature.
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|Sweet...I always hated that feature
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|Think limitation, not feature.
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|It started with their commercials. I think their commercials are really good, and at least they don't DETER me from their product.
Decisions like this (i.e. removing the requirement to use their AOL client, and allowing concurrent sign-on) make their service slightly more tempting.
Maybe one day they'll get me back. We'll see.
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|I only use it for instant messaging. I do get annoyed with the new pop up as when I use it from home I typically use Cisco VPN client to connect to my works network. I do not feel it its the VPN client because it happnes when I am not using it as well. I continually get disconnected and re-connected to AOL IM. At this point the pop ups come up every time and I can't even block the sender.
My 2 cents.
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|I concur. I have an ISP that times out my session every two hours so that my client, Trillian, immediately reconnects. But, it apparently does so before AOL realizes that I have disconnected. So, I get the pop-up which is quite annoying when you try to have it open all day while working.
I am trying the normal client but I am not holding out hope.
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|AOL has no hope...and the fact that their are betanews users that are connected right now through AOL makes me want to cry.....Seriously I am really actually shedding a tear right now. AIM is acceptable..but AOL..Eww, that is the only explanation I can give for it..Eww
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|AOL is evil. AOL will NEVER have hope. I hope the company withers and dies in our world. I believe that the AIM client is a badly designed IM, which people only started using because it was the first thing they had access to or because everyone else (that was beyond hope of switching) was on it. AIM is ugly, buggy, and has too many security issues... MSN is clearly the better choise for those who aren't so computer litterate. It is simple, does everything AIM does, and allows you to play fun free games (not stupid trialware, like AIM has). But not to sound to Microsoft controled.... Everyone knows IRC just plain rocks...
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