Alert- People can be alerted when specific buddies come on line.  The alert can be in the form of a sound and/or a message that appears on the screen stating that the buddy has signed on line.
Direct Connection- Two talking buddies are able to connect their computers to each other.  This lets the buddies send and recieve files directly onto the instant message screen.  The files can be anything from a picture of a cat to a MP3 file.  Since the buddies are able to send files without permission of the other buddy it is extremely important that both buddies trust each other not to send any damaging files of the instant message.
        Some people like to directly connect because there is not a limit to the talking ablility that the buddies have.  Sometimes a message that a buddy wants to send is too long, under normal circumstances.  But when there is a direct connection the longer messages can be sent easily.  There also is no limit to the number of messages that can be sent.  If messages are sent by a buddy very frequently then his limit starts to come into play.  He might have to wait a few seconds until the limit goes down until he may start to send messages again.
By running the mouse over a buddies name you are able to find out some basic infomation about the buddy.  You are told the internet service, warnings, online time, and his capabilities.  Warnings are given when two people are talking and the one feels as though the other is being inappropriate.  For example the person is using profanities or doing anything that can be thought of as abusive.  When the warning level gets too high the person is restricted to what he is allowed to do.  The limit of "talking" is reached much faster, and the amount of buddy profiles that can be checked is reduced.
       The profile one the AIM is not like the one found on AOL.  The profile is just a blank writing space that a person can write anything about themselve or any other topic.
Mail- AIM put in a feature that alerts you when you have mail in your account.  If you already have an AOL account and you use that name the mail alert feature is setup automatically.  If not then you can setup the alert by hand.
       The alert does not work for all mail services but will work for some.  When there is mail in your account the computer infoms you by making a selected sound and/or by showing the graphic of a piece of mail coming out of the mailbox.  By clicking on the email address you can easily check your mail.
Talk- You are able to use your microphone to talk to your buddy on the other end.  This feature mimics a phone.  The clearity is not as good as a phone but you are able to hear and understand what your buddy is saying.
Other features include the very popular graphic smiles. 

 
 
Comments, suggestions, or requests to scen103Xdogs@hotmail.com.
attention Jessica Seitchik "aolinstantmessenger.html"
Last updated May 8, 2000.
Copyright Group XDOGS, Student project of the University of Delaware, 2000.