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AIM+ 2.2.1 (build 65) [06.10.2002] An add-on for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) Freeware from Big-O Software |
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Table of Contents
System Requirements |
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System Requirements AIM+ requires:
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 4.0+ |
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Getting Started Thank you for choosing AIM+! AIM+ is not a replacement for AIM, but rather an add-on to it. Therefore, after downloading and installing AIM+, do not delete your old AIM installation. Instead, the next time you want to use AIM with the additional features of AIM+, run the AIM+ shortcut in your Start Menu rather than of starting AIM the way you used to. Running AIM+ with AIM already loaded will not transform your AIM into AIM+, you must completely exit AIM before running AIM+. AIM+ is designed to work perfectly with the lastest AIM beta, which can always be found here. AIM+ has been tested fully functional with most previous versions of AIM, but you may see some cosmetic issues (buttons overlapping, etc) with older versions of AIM. If AIM starts when Windows starts, AIM+ should automatically be run on startup instead. You can turn this feature on and off, as you normally would, in the AIM Preferences, and AIM+ should follow this setting. |
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Preferences Menu "AIM:" This is the path to your AIM.exe file, located in the directory where you originally installed AOL Instant Messenger. AIM+ needs to know where AIM.exe is located so that when you run AIM+, it can properly load AOL Instant Messenger. If you rename or move your AIM installation, you must update this box so that AIM+ can work with AIM. "New Version Reminder" This feature will check if there is a newer version of AIM+ than the one you are currently running. There are three options for the New Version Reminder. First, "all versions" will always check for an update. Second, "next version" will ignore the current update and will then inform you of the next update. Finally, "never" will never check for an update. The "Check Now!" button will instantly check to see if there is an update to AIM+ available. If there is an update availalbe, the upgrade monitor will tell you exactly what is included in the new version, the importance of this update, and any messages from the staff at Big-O Software. It is recommended that you always run the latest version of AIM+, as it is constantly updated with important bugfixes and new features. "Allow Cloning" This feature, when checked, will allow AIM+ to create an AOL Instant Messenger clone when you run AIM+ while AIM+ is already running. Much like opening a second instance of any program, simply run the program again. Unless you are having problems with the cloning feature, it is advised that you leave this feature on. Turning this it off can make AIM+ less intuitive for novice users. "Add AIM+ Link to Profile(s)" Checking this box will add a short comment about AIM+ and a link to the Big-O Software website. Everyone who reads your profile will see this link, helping to spread the word about AIM+. Displaying this link is purely optional and greatly appreciated. "Allow AIM Today Popup" Checking this box will allow the AIM Today window to load when you sign on to AOL Instant Messenger. Although there is an option to turn this off built in to AIM, this feature was added to make it easier to suppress this box, if so desired. "IM/Chat History" This feature creates history logs for every IM and chatroom conversation you have. "History Folder:" This is the path to the directory where AIM+ will create your history logs. By default, this is set to the "History" folder, a sub-directory in your AIM+ folder. "Remove Ads" This feature will remove the ads from your buddy list window. "Show Menu Bar" Unchecking this box will remove the menus ("My AIM, People, Help") from the top of your buddy list window. "Show Online/List Tabs" Unchecking this box will remove the tabs ("Online, List Setup") from your buddy list window. If you choose to remove the tabs, use control + tab to switch between the two modes. "Show General Buttons" Unchecking this box will remove the general buttons ("AIM Today, Away, Preferences, +") from your buddy list window. "Show Buddy List Buttons" Unchecking this box will remove the buddy list buttons ("IM, Chat, Info, E-Mail") from your buddy list window. "Allow Stock Ticker" Checking this box will create room at the bottom of your buddy list window for the stock ticker. Additionally, to view the stock ticker, you must have the stock ticker option turned on in your AIM preferences. "Transparent Windows" Transparent windows are only available if you are running Windows 2000 or Windows XP. Using this option will allow you to see what is below your windows, through them! Use the sliders below this box to independently control the level of transparency for your buddy list window and for your IM/chat windows. "Solid When Active" This feature, when used in conjunction with transparent windows, will make your windows solid while you are using them, and transparent when they are inactive. "Fade down" This feature, when used in conjunction with transparent windows and "solid when active," will have your solid active window slowly fade to your desired level of transparency when it becomes inactive. |
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Using AIM+ Features In addition to all of the features located in the Preferences Menu, AIM+ includes even more useful add-ons for AOL Instant Messenger! Cloning Cloning AIM will open an additonal sign on window so you can run multiple instances of AIM. Basically you can sign on with as many screennames as you want from the same computer, all at once! There are four ways to launch a clone. First, as long as you have "Allow Cloning" checked in the AIM+ preferences, you can run AIM+ again while it is already running. Second, you can click on the + menu on the buddy list window and choose "AIM+ Clone." Third, you can click on the AIM icon in the title bar of the buddy list window and choose "AIM+ Clone." Finally, you can open the AIM+ dropdown menu from any IM window and choose "Launch Clone." AIM+ History Viewer AIM+ includes an integrated history browswer to view your AIM+ history logs. There are four ways to open the History Viewer. First, you can run the "AIM+ History Viewer" shortcut in your Start Menu. Second, you can click on the + menu on the buddy list window and choose "AIM+ History." Third, you can click on the AIM icon in the title bar of the buddy list window and choose "AIM+ Clone." Finally, you can open the AIM+ dropdown menu from any IM window and choose "History." The "User" box in the History Viewer allows you to select which screenname's history files you would like to view. The "Buddy" box allows you to choose which buddy's chats you would like to view. The final box on the left lists all of the dates you have had chats with your buddy, from earliest at the top to the most recent at the bottom. By default, the History Viewer will automatically have the most recent chat history with your buddy displayed. The "Total History Size" will display how many megabytes of hard disk space your history files currently consume. The "Clear All" button will delete all the history files AIM+ has saved to your computer. The "Del" button next to the "User" box will delete all history files from chats with the selected screenname. The "Del" button next to the "Buddy" button will delete all history files from chats with the selected buddy and screenname. The "Del" button next to the list of dates will delete the selected date's history file for the conversation with the selected buddy and screename. |
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Troubleshooting This is a compilation of some of the most common problems AIM+ users have had, taken from the AIM+ FAQ. You can always view the most current version of the AIM+ FAQ here.
If you couldn't find your answers here and you are still having problems with AIM+, the next place to look for answers is the Big-O Software forums. You can visit them on the web here. Members of Big-O Software as well as hundreds of AIM+ users browse and post in these forums daily. There is a good chance that someone else has had the same problem you are experiencing and that it has already been solved. |
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Reporting Bugs If you believe you have discovered a bug in AIM+, the next place to go is the Big-O Software forums. You can visit them on the web here. Members of Big-O Software as well as hundreds of AIM+ users browse and post in these forums daily. Check the "AIM+ Bug Reports" for your bug, as there is a good chance this bug has already been reported. There may even be a solution to your problem! If your bug has not yet been reported, please take the time to create a new thread and report the problem, so that it can be fixed in a future release of AIM+. |
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Requesting Future Features This is a compilation of some of the most common feature requests AIM+ users have had that are already built-in to AIM, taken from the AIM+ FAQ. You can always view the most current version of the AIM+ FAQ here.
If you still have an idea for a future feature in AIM+, the next place to go is the Big-O Software forums. You can visit them on the web here. Members of Big-O Software as well as hundreds of AIM+ users browse and post in these forums daily. Check the "AIM+ Feature Requests" to see if your feature has already been requested. If it has, you can join in on the conversation and add your ideas. If your feature has not yet been requested, please take the time to create a new thread and report your ideas. They may find their way into a future release of AIM+! |
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Version History
- version 2.2.1 (build 65) [06.10.2002]
- version 2.2 (build 63) [05.10.2002]
- version 2.1.1 (build 59) [03.31.2002]
- version 2.1 (build 57) [03.25.2002]
- version 2.0.1 (build 55) [03.18.2002]
- version 2.0.0 (build 55) [03.18.2002]
- version 1.0.0 (build 38) [12.11.2001] |