Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

i am yujin · Dec 1, 2004, 09:33 PM

What ever happened to it?

Is it ever going to be updated? The Mac version is far inferior to the PC one..which is on like 5.x while we are still on 4.x or whatever.

And no...I don't want to any clones like Proteus..

Weezer · Dec 1, 2004, 11:37 PM

I used to be like you and just use the official aim client because it didnt really bother me. However, I just switched to adium (adiumx.com) and it really is very nice.

Earth Mk. II · Dec 2, 2004, 12:53 AM

Well, first of all, version numbers mean nothing. But, yeah - comparatively, the official AIM client has fewer features than the windows version.

Given that iChat is officially licensed by AOL, I doubt AOL has much interest in continued maintenance of it's now redundant client.

I have done development work for Adium, so I'm not without bias in this issue. But if I may ask: what, in particular, is attracting you to only consider an official client?

i am yujin · Dec 2, 2004, 03:21 AM

Originally posted by Earth Mk. II:

I have done development work for Adium, so I'm not without bias in this issue. But if I may ask: what, in particular, is attracting you to only consider an official client?

I'm just really used to it, I guess. My (PC) friends use my computer a lot too and AIM is close to the PC counterpart so it is just easier.

Earth Mk. II · Dec 2, 2004, 03:59 AM

Fair enough. There's a lot of merit to familiarity when it comes to deciding what software to use.

Given the stagnant state of AOL's own AIM client however, it might be worthwhile to try one of the alternatives. When it comes down to the basics, most clients are functionally similar. They have a list view where your known contacts are, conversations are carried out in their own window, double clicking on the list view begins a new conversation, etc.

You may just want to stick with AOL's client if familiarity is your main consideration. It's not as feature rich as its Windows counterpart or its 3rd party competitors, but most of those features are not directly related to the core function of instant messaging (visual notifications, invisibility mode, active status messages, etc.). The software may not be as nice - but it's not in any way crippled.

I would suggest giving iChat and the 3rd party clients (Adium, Fire, and Proteus are the 3 main ones) an honest try. Use each for at least a whole day. Explore their prefs, and check their contextual menus. Go to their support forums if you have questions. If none of them satisfy you more than AOL's client does, then go back to it - no harm done.

webcookie · Dec 2, 2004, 12:09 PM

I used to be like you. And then I started using iChat and saw how much better it was. Then I started using Adium and WOW! Adium is so customizable. It blends right in with OS X.

Millennium · Dec 2, 2004, 12:54 PM

If you get AOL Communicator for the Mac, its IM client (which is made by AOL, so it's not third-party) is pretty good. It's not up to date with the PC version either, but it's better than the official client.

jaimzedup · Dec 2, 2004, 01:57 PM

Does iChat allow Direct Connects? That's the only extra feature that I use on my PC AIM.

(asking in advance...ibook is still being shipped to me)

ManOfSteal · Dec 2, 2004, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by jaimzedup:
Does iChat allow Direct Connects?

Yes.

badtz · Dec 2, 2004, 07:35 PM

.... the only feature i miss on 3rd party clients is video/audio chatting.

otherwise, adium/proteus/etc. ARE nice apps!

the_glassman · Dec 3, 2004, 12:25 AM

Originally posted by badtz:
.... the only feature i miss on 3rd party clients is video/audio chatting.

otherwise, adium/proteus/etc. ARE nice apps!

Yep, that and for the life of me I can't get any of the file transferring to work on any of them except the official application.

jaimzedup · Dec 3, 2004, 08:42 PM

I'm a new Adium user. Is it possible for AIM Direct Connects through Adium? Several people tried connecting with me and it simply wouldn't connect. What is going on?

Catfish_Man · Dec 3, 2004, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by jaimzedup:
I'm a new Adium user. Is it possible for AIM Direct Connects through Adium? Several people tried connecting with me and it simply wouldn't connect. What is going on?

DirectConnect and file transfers have pretty serious issues with proxies, firewalls, routers, etc... it's a known issue, but so far no one has volunteered to fix it. If anyone would like to (hint, hint

) I've been told the offending code is in proxy.c of libgaim. Not 100% sure on that though.

Brownjer · Feb 16, 2005, 04:46 PM

I'm one of those who creates and collects away messages. I recently switched machines, and can't for the life of me find where AIM 4.7x stores the saved away messages to transfer over to my new client. Anyone know the answer? Thanks.

Rychiar · Feb 17, 2005, 08:38 AM

people who use aim heavily won't switch to iChat cus the format sux and is too disimilar. No one has head shots of themselves as icons so their animated buddy icons show up in that tiny space on ichat except their too small and don't animate. If apple would redeisgn iChat to be better or AOL would release an updated more optimized AIM life would be great. I always here what a processor hog regular aim is right now