RSSAOL Testing 'Light' Version of AIM
By Nate Mook | Published October 2, 2006, 12:35 PM
Responding to the requests of its more advanced users, AOL has begun developing a new lightweight AIM client that includes just the basic instant messaging functionality without all the frills. Called AIM ET, the software is available from AOL's Greenhouse site that offers previews of new products.
Since the late 1990s, instant messaging clients have become more than just text-based communication tools. They include a wide range of functionality like voice and video chat, integrated blogging and even the ability to make phone calls. But for those looking for a basic IM experience, much of the additions have simply amounted to extraneous "bloat."
In turn, savvy consumers have turned to third-party clients such as Trillian, or even AOL's new AIM Pro software designed for businesses. Google has also entered the fray with its simple Google Talk software that has primarily appealed to those looking for something less bulky that AIM Triton or Windows Live Messenger.
"One thing I've been pushing for at AOL since I got here almost a year ago is a light version of AIM. Ted Leonsis, Jim Bankoff, and Jon Miller and I have had countless discussions about the issue and we've made huge progress," says Netscape.com head Jason Calacanis. "This is really the future of AOL: light, fast, free products that compliment our bigger, more feature-rich products."
AIM ET is designed to answer this demand. It removes all but the primary IM functionality from AIM, and contains no advertising. The software utilizes very few system resources, making it ideal for those with older machines.
Still in prototype form, it's unclear whether AOL will officially release AIM ET and under what branding. Calacanis notes that the names "AIM Light" or "Light AIM" are under consideration. However, AOL has developed a number of new products over the years, such as AOL Media Player, that have never seen the light of day.
But Calacanis seems confident that AIM ET represents the direction AOL is headed as it migrates from an ISP to offering open Web services to all users. "Drop everything and go play with it," he says, "this is the future of AOL: light, open, cutting-edge, and elite as well as mass market."
AIM ET 1.07 is available for download now from FileForum.
Wow I like this version. So far so good lets hope it stays like this when the final release comes out. There are a few bugs that need to be worked out other than that its a great IM tool. It also works on Vista.
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Nice! This has a few flaws but it is clearly improving. No more GAIM for me.
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the new beta AIM6.0 is great!! wow no uselss software bundles nothing... great work guys!
goodbye trillian (after 3 years of using it)
going back to AIM!
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LAIM. I love it. It even has a button on the bottom of the buddy list that says "WTF?". If you mouse-over, it says "What's This For?". Yeah sure, that's what that stands for.
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maybe this version will actually require an admin account to install. g** d***, im tired of walking through our labs and seeing it installed left and right. no reigstry entries, no asking for permission. it really shows how bad aol's programmers are to be that careless and sloppy. Or lazy and ignorant, take your pick.
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"it really shows how bad aol's programmers are to be that careless and sloppy. Or lazy and ignorant, take your pick."
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And this is AOL's problem how?
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Heres an Idea. How about your create a group and drop all the students names in that group and create a policy for that group where they will not be allowed to install any software on any lab computers. You filter .exe files to be installed on the network or filter the .exe file of aim and you done!!!! It has nothing to do with AOL programmers it has to be how dumb you are as a system administrator!
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you think i havent thought of that? they are a networking class, they need certain permissions to run certain programs, and be able to make a few of their own based on curriculum. Something i point out, that isnt in my control. And also i do have a policy restricting install of programs, but since it doesnt make any registry entries, or even acnowledge that it is installing, it just extracts to a folder and thats it. The policy doesn't catch it.
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It is ridiculous that they cannot follow windows programing standards.
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"In turn, savvy consumers have turned to third-party clients such as Trillian, or even AOL's new AIM Pro software designed for businesses."
When I first saw this headline thats exactly what I thought. Years ago I switched to Trillian for a time, and then a year or two ago I jumped from that ship to GAIM. I can't stand the AIM interface with all the "extras" which do nothing but get in my way.
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I second that!
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