Another bug has been affecting chat.aim.com users rather frequently. This bug has been appearing since the end of April and has not been fixed by AOL Staff. The bug is described below.

Users receive the error message:

There was an error sending your message. It may not have been sent correctly. Please try again.

There is a problem connecting to the chat. Trying to reconnect…

We have notified AOL’s twitter page and their response is below.  There is no easily available workaround available at this time. However you may optionally sign into AOL using a free screen name (that has an age above 18) and download the AOL 9.5+ client. Head to the chat area and start chatting within the AOL program.

Obviously AOL only allows horny 21 year old lonely females to chat.

AOL’s Response

Hello WBMike,

Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding message board error, I will forward this up to the tech manager. Thank you for your patience.

Thank you Shannon

Although she states “message board” when infact it is a chatroom. Hopefully the forwarded screenshot of the AIM chatroom will be passed along to the tech manager.

This issue appears to have been fixed

AIM Stuck On “Transferring”

Currently we are seeing a high number of reports that AIM users can not log into AIM. The problem is described below:

During the sign in process, AIM stops at the “Transferring” message.
The user may alternatively see “Connection Timed Out” messages.
The user sees “Connection error.  Please try signing on again.”

We’ve messaged AOL’s twitter page, and beta page. We are currently waiting for a response.
The current workaround is:

• Sign into AIM with another screen name.
• Sign into your current screen name at Aim Express.

For now we can conclude there is a possible server outage which has affected specific screen names.

We’ll let you know any news as it happens.

The buddy info option in Aim 7.3 beta is missing. AIM members are unable to edit the buddy info. Instead the buddy info button now links to AIM LIfestream. It’s possible that AIM Lifestream will act as the new profile page for AOL and AIM members, considering AOL has recent plans to either shut down or sell Bebo.

In order to update your buddy info you will need to use any version of AIM that is older than Aim 7.3.

• Aim 7.2 

We’ve recently found the reason why the buddy info is gone. Quoted from beta staff:

Good news! While Buddy Info is changing, you will (soon) have a place at Lifestream to provide the persistent information you used to place in Buddy Info!

Buddy Info will be returning, but as previously describe – in Lifestream. While it does require opening a browser window and signing in, the action of doing so from AIM will occur automatically and you shouldn’t have to manually sign in.

The steps being taken aren’t arbitrary, mind you. They’re coming with a bigger picture in mind and, hopefully, once we get there, you’ll fully approve. [via beta]

It appears AOL Lifestream will take place of the buddy info. It’s speculated Lifestream will become our new “profile system” as Bebo leaves AOL in May.

Aim 7.3 beta which somehow became a mandatory update, added the option for users to add their full name to their screen name. The purpose behind it was for others to search for your screen name by just entering your name.

Although they could still find you by submitting their email contacts. A friend of mine noted how there was not a clear way of removing your full name if you opted into it for fun.

Removing your Real Name from Aim 7.3

Taking off your Name from AIM

• Sign into AIM Full Name
• Uncheck Allow people to see my full name and find me in search results
• Click on First Name and Delete the entire text field
• Click on Last Name and Delete the entire text field
• Click Submit

If it worked properly it should say

“Your full name has been cleared. Thanks for updating your info on AIM!
To change your name, click here. “

Keep in mind the full name option does not apply to those who have manually added your real name as a nickname. Although, only they will see the name they typed.

If you have used the Plaxo service, you will have to remove your full name from there. Your name shows up to those whom you connected with.

You must clear both the First Name and Last Name text boxes before you press submit.

 /p>

What is AOL Lifestream

AOL released a brand new update to AIM Lifestream, or should I say AOL Lifestream. It’s a service where AIM/AOL users can connect their social networking accounts, such as Twitter, Myspace, and even Facebook. If you use any of these services, AOL Lifestream allows you to publish your status updates to these networks. In essence, it streamlines the process of being on 3+ websites at once.

AOL Lifestream is also an app on iPhone and Google’s Android platform. If you are poor like me and can’t afford the two, you can join in the fun on different applications.

AOL Lifestream is available  through;

• AOL Lifestream
• AIM 7.2
• Aim for Mac
• Google Android
• Apple iPhone

The Lifestream application does not allow you to communicate to other AOL and AIM members through IMs. This application’s sole purpose is to view updates through different websites and allow you to input your thoughts by liking or commenting on them.

Using AOL Lifestream

When you enter a status update in your application, everyone who has you on their buddy list will see it. They are able to “Like” or “Comment” on it as they please. You’ll see a nifty little notification at the bottom of the AOL Lifestream application which shows you what new updates you have in social networking sites, as well as new comments from AIM members.

Clicking on the globe icon will show you a list of trending topics. These are just the most popular word in everyone’s status update. As you can see, AIM is popular amongst kids who are bored out of their mind with homework.

If you notice, there is a filter section that allows you to view only one network. If you want to see only twitter updates, type the word twitter. Or if you want to look up specific friend just type the first part of their name. In fact you can type shortcuts for the various things like twit, mysp, face, digg, photo, video, etc.

Removing AOL Lifestream

If you add random people to your buddy list, their lifestream updates will show up.

The screenshot above is a great example of someone who may not understand the functions of AOL Lifestream. If you add someone on your buddy list, you will automatically follow their lifestream updates. You can alternatively view anyone’s lifestream updates without following them by viewing their buddy info or inputting their screen name through:

http://lifestream.aol.com/stream/screenname

If you don’t want to see a certain person’s lifestream updates, remember to remove them from your buddy list.

If you want to turn off AOL Lifestream, head to the Settings Page. Clicking the trashcan icon will remove your connections to these services. Alternatively you can also click the drop down box and select “No one -Private”. Don’t forget the drop down box for the “AIM” service which will stop any of your status updates and away messages from showing up in the Lifestream tab. If you scroll down further you can disable commenting by selecting “Only You (private)”.

Thoughts

Generally I love the new design AOL is taking with the AIM website. All of the ads are gone and everything is streamlined. The same design style goes on to AOL Lifestream, now if only they could apply it to the message boards. As for the Adobe AIR Application, I do like how it instantly notifies me at the bottom of the screen. I’m not sure if this application is useful per say, it’s more like a time waster. It’s practical to use this service within the AIM program, unless you are mobile and have to rely on the iphone or android app.

It appears there are those who don’t know how to chat with Facebook friends on AIM. Yes despite how there’s a huge banner that asks if you want to use Facebook Connect. Well maybe you closed it out or you really don’t understand the process, so here’s how you do it very quickly.

Choose your version of AIM

You need to download or use a specific version of AIM to start this process. You have only three choices:

• Aim for Windows 7.2 Beta
• Aim for Mac 2.1 Beta
• Aim Express

These are the only three versions that include the new Facebook chat feature. While you are installing AIM, you can set up your Facebook account by going to the Aim Lifestream website.

Adding Facebook to AIM Lifestream

f Connect allows third party websites like AOL to sign into Facebook

Head over to AIM Lifestream:

• Enter your AIM login details.
• Click on Settings in the top right corner.
• Click ADD near the Facebook Icon.
• Click fConnect.
• Enter your FACEBOOK login details.

Once you complete the process, your AIM screen name will be synced to your Facebook account. This synchronization will appear on all beta versions of AIM that support this feature. So you do not need to repeat these steps for each client. You can also add as many screen names as you want to the same Facebook account!

Within your buddy list check for the Facebook icon and full names of your friends on the buddy list.

Facebook Status Update Through AIM

Click that little Facebook Icon

To send a status update through AIM, you must activate the Facebook icon within the status update box. If you hover over the Facebook Icon it will say “Also update your status on Facebook (updating is OFF/ON).” If it’s turned on,  it will first show up in your AIM Lifestream, and might take a while before it shows up in your actual Facebook profile. 

If you click that little +photos icon at the top right corner you can also add post images to your Facebook Status. Pretty neat!

Facebook And AIM Problems

A sample of issues that affect AIM 7.2. Pay particular attention to the ones highlighted in purple, as your very likely to hit these problems through daily use.

• There can be a delay in seeing your Facebook friends go online, offline or idle.
• If you have a very large number of Facebook friends it can take a minute to load your AIM Buddy List, and you will not be able to IM until the Buddy List is loaded.
• Messages sent to an offline Facebook buddy will not be delivered when they come online.
• When you login to AIM as invisible, you will see a non-working “Sign In to Facebook Chat” prompt under your Facebook groups on the Buddy List, and in the Buddy List menu.
• An empty Facebook Friends group will appear on clients that are not Facebook enabled/capable
• If you are using IM forwarding to send IMs to your mobile device, you will receive, but not be able to reply, to messages from Facebook friends.
• Occasionally the association between AIM and Facebook account is lost with no visible user notification
•  IMing Facebook friends while your AIM privacy is set to ‘Allow only users on my Buddy List’ causes IMs to be bounced back.
• Your Facebook friends’ status message from Facebook will not be shown in the AIM buddy list, next to their name.

Just like Bebo Friends, the “Facebook Friends“ buddy list group will get added to your buddy list and will stay permanently until you remove yourself from Facebook Connect.

Currently there may be a bug where your Facebook Friends group shows zero Friends online even though they are supposed to be on. As this bug is currently being researched the suggestions would be to ensure “online presence” is checked on the Facebook Privacy page. Also check that your buddy list privacy settings are not set to allow only users on my buddy list.

Facebook Application Settings

Also check for the following:

• On Facebook.com, Click Account
• Click Application Settings
• Click Edit Settings Under AIM
• Ensure “Log into Facebook Chat on my behalf” is checkmarked.

As the settings on this page are straightforward, having one of them unchecked means that feature would not work within AIM. Is Publish to Streams unchecked? Well you wouldn’t be able to update your facebook status through AIM would you?

So you’ve been enjoying AIM 5.9′s incredibly familiar red and blue screen name colors. AIM 7 replaces the screen name color scheme yet again with a pretty natural green and a horrendous brown color.

Fear not, you can change these screen name colors to any color you wish to use.

You will do this by editing one extremely long file with notepad. So let’s get started!

Preparing your files

The first step is to find the file that controls screen name colors.

This folder is located at

C:\program files\aim7\services\imApp\ver7###\resources\en-US

Simply copying and pasting the above path will not work in Windows Explorer. You must manually navigate to the folder using My Computer if you have Windows XP or Computer in Windows Vista.

Ver7### represents your Aim 7 version number which you will instantly see if you navigated to the folder manually.

en-US is the language and region folder. Obviously if you are using the Spanish language of AIM7, the folder’s name would change to sp-US, or french would be fr-FR. This last folder will be instantly obvious if you manually navigated to the folder.

As you reach that folder open notepad. You will drag the file strings.xml into notepad.

Strings.xml controls a lot of stuff. It’s imperative that you do not try to edit anything else in this file unless you know what you are doing. You might want to expand notepad’s window a bit so you can see what you are doing.

Changing Your Screen Name Color

Search for the line below.

<string name="imForm.history.header.local.color">#864F04</string>

Note the HTML color code is highlighted in brown. Use the HTML Color Code site to insert a color of your into this area. After you are done you can save the file and RESTART AIM.

Changing Other Screen Name Colors

Similar to Aim 6, you can edit the colors of other screen names. Remote.color is located a tad below the local.color so it should be easy to find. Remote.color.0 represents the person who IMs you. Any number higher than 0 represents chatroom screen name colors.

    <string name="imForm.history.header.remote.color.0">#0172F3</string>
    <string name="imForm.history.header.remote.color.1">#0052a3</string>
    <string name="imForm.history.header.remote.color.2">#0860A8</string>
    <string name="imForm.history.header.remote.color.3">#F91361</string>
    <string name="imForm.history.header.remote.color.4">#0197B5</string>

The colors of the first 5 screen names in a chatroom are already highlighted for you. You can change any of them by typing any HTML color code you want. After you are done save the file and RESTART AIM.

With the Aim help forums down, we tackle a question thats been asked on other help sites. We’ll tackle the American carriers and see how much it would cost to use AIM. Let’s take a look into some definitions first.

What’s the difference?

SMS Text: SMS messages are quite commonly known as texts. If your AIM Mobile application uses text messages, you will get charged one text for signing on, one for retrieving your buddy list, and one for updating your buddy list.

Additionally you will be charged for sending an IM and charged for receiving an IM. If you take this route it should take you at least 4 text messages to sign on and off. If your a heavy AIM user, you might want to consider asking for unlimited texting plan.

Data: Data messages are sent over your mobile phone’s data stream. This is commonly known as 3G, Edge, or Wi-Fi. 3G and Edge is provided by your cellphone carrier. More likely than not if you use 3G or Edge, you probably have an unlimited data plan, but you should still check with your carrier to make sure.

If you use Wi-Fi, it’s for the most part free if you have your own coverage at home. However in public facilities companies may charge Wi-Fi access, luckily they require a password before you connect, meaning that you won’t get charged until you supply credit card info.

In Plain English Please?

Texting: You will get charged per text, unless you have unlimited text messages.

Data: You will get charged per kilobyte or megabyte, unless you have unlimited data plan.

Sending Text Messages from the Computer?

If your on the computer, AIM allows you to send text messages to cellphones for free. The person who sends text messages on the computer will not be charged. 

The person who recieves the text message will get charged. Before texting anyone, please make sure to ask them before hand if they have a texting plan.

Any differences between phones?

• What about the Blackberry?
  • Blackberry for the most part uses a data plan. However T-Mobile’s built in application will use text messages. You can however download different IM applications for blackberry. Read here for more info.

• What about Windows Mobile?
  • Windows mobile phones use data. AOL has provided a beta for AIM for Windows Mobile.

• What about the iPhone?
  • The iPhone uses data through Edge, 3G, or Wi-Fi. The iPhone has an unlimited data plan so feel free to use AIM anytime.

• What about my Cellphone?
  • The regular run of the mill cell phone will most likely use texting. However there are some crafty ways around this. You can sign onto Aim without using any text messages.

Another frequently asked question. So we’ll walk you through on how to remove messages from appearing inside your Buddy Update box in the AIM Buddy Info.

Please note that it can take 5 days for buddy updates to disappear from the box.

Buddy updates are controlled through two locations. One is within Aim 6.8 and another is located at its own special website. If you use Aim 6.9 you’ll need to perform both methods. If you don’t use Aim 6.9 you just have to perform the first method.

Method 1: Buddy Updates Website

• Head over to http://buddyupdates.aim.com
• Sign In and Click Setup

On the Right side you will see a heading that says “Sites that you already have.” You need to click delete under everything that is listed there. Remember that it takes 5 days for buddy info updates to disappear.

Once your done the box will no longer appear as long as you do not alter your status message. However there are other programs that alter the status messages.

Method 2: Aim 6.9 Plugins

In Aim 6.9, plugins can trigger your buddy info updates in several different ways:

• If you install Aim 6.9 for the first time.
• If you install a new plugin.
• If a plugin changes status message for you, e.g. AIM Music Link

Aim 6.9 luckily has privacy settings for plugins. Some plugins like AIM Music Link, has its own built in settings that need to be disabled in order for this to work. Follow these steps to ensure status messages are not updated:

• Open Aim 6.9
• Click Edit.
• Click Settings
• Click Privacy
• Uncheck “I have updated my profiles or blogs”
• Uncheck “I have installed a new AIM Plugin”

Method 2b: Aim Music Link Status

• Open Aim 6.9
• Click View > Plugins
• Click Aim Music Link Preferences
• Uncheck Share Music with your Buddies.
• Click OK. 

So again, as long as you don’t update your status, your buddy info updates box will disappear after 5 days of the last update message.

If you need further help please comment below with your AIM screen name, or type your “AIM” email address in the mail section of the comment form.

Offline IM Storage is Full

So far we know that this problem has to be fixed through AOL staff. Which unfortunately means you’ll have to wait your turn for your screen name to be fixed.  In case it has taken several days and your screen name has not been fixed we would like for you to test out the possible workaround below and post a comment below:

Access AIM Logging Settings

• Open AIM 6
• Click Edit > Click Settings
• Click IM Logging

The quickest way to work around this problem would be to click “Delete log files“. You may not want to lose every past conversation, instead you can delete certain screen name logs you no longer need.  Click within the address path where all the logs are stored, right click and press Select All, then press CTRL+C to Copy, you will now be able to go directly to that folder.

Access Logs Stored on Computer

• Open Windows Explorer
• In the Address Bar, press CTRL+V on your keyboard
• Press Enter to reach the folder

You can delete any screen name that appears there. This shall free up some space for your offline storage and will postpone the error message.

There have been many reports about users unable to send any messages in AIM Chatrooms. The error message is as follows:

OnlineHost: We’re sorry, we are unable to send your message. Please remove the Web address and try again

This occurs for most of the messages that are sent even though there are no web links in your text. This is an AOL HOST issue, this means that AOL and only AOL can fix it. In the meantime there are several workarounds you can do to avoid this problem.

Workarounds

The first  workaround involves upgrading your version of Aim to Aim 6.8.10.4 or Aim 6.9. You can upgrade your Aim versions by following the links below

• Aim 6.8.12.4
• Aim 6.9

You can use either version to fix the problem. Unfortunately users of Windows Me, MAC, and Windows 98 will be left out. This includes iChat, Adium, Meebo, T-mobile Sidekick, and others.

It appears that today, there has been an IM circulating around to every screen name. The message is as follows:

Dear AIM USERS, Because of our overloading of our servers, we are being forced to extract our non-active AIM users. Because this is a free service, AOL has exceeded the budget for the AIM service. We are asking that you send this exact message to 20 other AIM users to ensure us that you’re an active AIM user. Our system tracking devise will pick up this message to keep you on our active list. You have 72 hours to complete this task or your service will be cancelled immediately. Starting January 1st, 2009, we will be charging a small fee for registering of a screen name for AIM. Thank you for your time and for using AOL or AIM. Sincerely Mark Jenkins.

We regret to inform you that although we sent out a warning telling all aim users we are cutting accounts that we see are not being used regularly people have not been responding.So as warned we shall begin cutting accounts starting Friday July 18. Forward this message to 30 or your account as well shall be cut. Thank you for using AOL Instant Messenger

Dear AIM users, Because of our overloading of our a servers, we are being forced to extract our non-active AIM users. Because this is a free service, AOL has exceeded the budget for the AIM service. We are asking that you send this exact message to 20 other AIM users to ensure us that you’re an active AIM user. Our system tracking devise will pick up this message to keep you on our active list. You have 72 hours to complete this task or your service will be cancelled immediately. Starting December 10, 2008, we will be charging a small fee for the registering of a screen name for AIM. Thank you

Is this message True or False?

False! This is actually “chain” instant message to scare users into thinking they must send this message to everyone they know.

What happens if I send this message to other people?

AOL has been flagging this message as spam. This means that if you do send that message, you will likely get kicked off of aim and your account may be suspended. If your account has been suspended by sending this message, please login through my.screenname.aol.com and select forgot password.

In the future please disregard any IMs that are similar to this. Every few months, chain IMs are sent out giving false warnings about various things. Most of the time they want you to send it to everyone you know.

I don’t believe you, this must be true!

If you believe in every IM you get, you will most likely get your account stolen. There are people out there pretending to be AOL staff that will IM you for your password. Once you give it to them, the account is no longer yours and they can change your password in a moment’s notice. Besides, Mark Jenkins does not work for AOL, he is actually an urban artist.

This issue has been floating around for a couple of weeks now. It has not been addressed by AOL at all. Some users will receive “Unable to save your changes at this time.” error messages when trying to edit their AIM Profiles. This usually occurs when all profile information has been mysteriously deleted.

Currently Fixed

There have been a small amount of users who have noticed their profiles are back in working order. This has been fixed by AOL.

Unable to change Private Profile to Public

Also we’ve been receiving reports about users unable to switch between private and public profiles because the options are grayed out. Please keep in mind that until your screen name hits its sixteenth birthday, you will not be able to change it to a public profile.

Code Snippet Module Removed

In another upset, AOL has removed the Code Snippet module due to bugs, it is expected to come back at an unknown date.

Recently, there has been a rise in AIM Spam links being sent out to everyone. Most of the messages go along the lines of:

Someone has an AIM CRUSH on you!
Click here – to find out who it is

I just got a free iPhone in the mail. Want to get your free iPhone? Go HERE and find out how!

I’ve got a bit of crush on you! But if you wanna find out who I am you gotta play along with my game! First, go here and you’ll find out more!

Somone special has sent you a –   – (kiss)
Find out who here

Although Spam messages are certainly not new. This recent influx has annoyed people to no end. You can essentially protect yourselves and other persons using AIM on your computer by trying out these methods.

If they have been annoying you, call up and complain to the “Mobile Messaging” company at 1-800-416-6129

Link Preview Plugin

Link Preview plugin is one of the first place winners in the Open Aim Top Coder Contest. Essentially Link Preview lets you preview an image of a website before you actually visit it. Now it certainly won’t protect you from viruses but you can use it to get an idea of where these spammy links are sending you to. More likely than not, if its an adult site you’ll be bombarded with popups as soon as you reach.

Gundoff: Malicious Link Question

Gundoff plugin essentially asks you if you really want to go to the link. Using bright red text and an ominous warning, the plugin will more likely prevent newer computer users from clicking on links. Still it won’t stop viruses, but at least you won’t get infected by accidentally clicking a link.

Blocking Them

The best way to not receive any SPAM from random screen names is to block everyone not on your buddy list.

• Click Edit
• Click Settings
• Click Privacy
• Click Allow only Users on my Buddy List
• Click Save

Now only people on your buddy list can IM you. We do know that certainly this is not the most effective way but this will do until someone out there creates a plugin that pre-screens all IMs and closes the conversation if it detects spam. Yes I know there is a plugin for this on Trillian but Aim 6 still needs one.

Well it seems the Translate plugin has struck yet again. First it was “orbidden” and now every message you receive in AIM says translate. For Example:

Me: Hello
You: Translate
You: Translate

So again with the same steps as before you will need to disable or uninstall the Translator plugin.

How to Stop AIM from repeating the word “Translate” with every IM

• Click on Edit
• Click On Settings
• Click on Plugins
• Uncheck Translator
• Click Save