You don't have to be an America Online member to use AOL Instant Messenger. This program allows Internet users to communicate via private text messages. AOL Instant Messenger indicates when friends, family members, and business colleagues are online. It combines AOL's Buddy List and Instant Message features, enabling users to send and respond to messages. Newer features include an enhanced 'I'm Away' feature, status icons for your toolbar, and improved file transfer capabilities. Also, AIM Talk was recently added, which allows you to speak over the Internet directly to your buddies. To use this feature you must have a microphone and headphones or speakers, or a headset. This newest version allows you to create a customised alert for when your friends come online; you can send an instant message, play a sound, display an alert, or run a script. This new version notifies you with an alert box when you have mail in your AOL.com mailbox. It also allows you to create instant message images.