Labs

AOL has a huge user base for its subscription service. Its Instant Messenger service, however, is free and can be used by both AOL members and non-members.

Compared to other IMs, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is primitive; the default messaging window has a clunky feel, and even when customised it is not particularly attractive. But it offers the essential facilities of exchanging messages or chatting via typing, talking or webcam. Your contacts are referred to as buddies and cover those signed on to CompuServe 2000 or ICQ as well as those who have downloaded AIM. Its facility to send an email invitation to recruit new contacts proved remarkably slow in our tests, taking almost four hours, which rather defeats the object

The Chat feature lets you exchange messages with several buddies in your own private chatrooms. Alternatively, you can meet in general chatrooms covering topics such as health, romance and computing.

The latest version includes video instant messaging, although this requires a PC running Windows XP or Apple iChat AV version 2.1 or later. Another new feature is the single sign-in for multiple AIM identities, which means you can have a work-related name for professional purposes and a more informal one you share with family and friends, for example. This also means your various Buddy Lists can be amalgamated so you can send and receive IMs from any of your AIM screen names/identities to any or all of your contacts from a single window.

While AIM is free to everyone, AOL members use the same service in a richer environment that is linked to other AOL services. They can choose Buddy Expressions, Wallpaper, Smileys and so on. In most cases these have to be paid for, and free items tend to contain advertising