JEFFISHERETOO  After all these years mac users STILL get a substandard version when compared to the Windows version!?!?! No Audio, No Video, heck even Yahoo managed to do it and AOL has iChat to steal from!!!

AOL just die!  
(Version 2.1.251)

YOSHINATSU  You just CAN'T s*ck SO MUCH, AOL...

STILL releasing AIM for Mac... just...

Just support Apple's iChat, will you?  
(Version 2.1.251)

BOUSOZOKU  It's interesting that Check for Updates doesn't seem to find anything. For the last update, I waited about a week and it still told me what I had was the latest.

It seems to be the same functionality that's in RapidWeaver and Cyberduck so it works when used properly. It's just interesting that AOL can't get things right.

The IM functionality is good, if a bit late after, what, 8 years?  
(Version 2.1.243)

LIKOS  Why this over iChat? (I'm being serious.)  
(Version 2.1.243)

ROBERT  Despite all the vitriol here, I'm seeing huge improvements in the official Mac client.

Can this one format spaces in your screen name?

Or do we still need to keep 4.7 around for that?

I'm not going to lie; like many, I don't actually use the official client, but it's great to have a decent one, anyhow--even if you personally only use it to set up various small features of your account before switching to Adium.   
(Version 2.0b2)

OVIPAS  lifestream addition is a big enhancement, however it seems that it doesn't allow for ICQ contacts to add a twitter or facebook account.

no possibility to use iTunes song like a status message, which is a standard now for any IM application on macs.

still no A/V capabilities :(  
(Version 2.0b1)

YOSHINATSU  What is AOL even thinking doing this??  
(Version 2.0b1)

JEFFISHERETOO  AOL! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP THE INSANITY!

This product is an insult to the Mac and the Mac community! I have both a Mac and Windows so I know what this is missing and it's nothing more than a prettier version on AIM 6 years ago!!!!! Whoa! Sorry you added SMS! WOW!

Just stop!  
(Version 1.5b2)

ROG360  Why not just go with online only and support iChat 100% in the future.If your this far behind the game, You better pick a better position... :)

At least there's not advertising in it...  
(Version 1.5b1)

ST00P!D M0NK3Y  This is way better now than it used to be compared to the old joke of an application. Having said that... this program is a steaming pile of cow dung. Since there is no audio/video chat support... still... after years and years and years... this application is virtually useless. With alternatives such as Adium... and even Apple's default iChat... which needs a lot of work too, but at least there's audio/video chat... there's no point in disgracing your hard drive with this garbage.  
(Version 1.1)

JRWHO  Really, what's the purpose of this? Why not work on like making iChat better?  
(Version 1.1)

JEFFISHERETOO  I can't say it better than it's been said already other than to point out that this is nothing more than the IM part of the equally non-sense AOL Desktop for Mac just ripped out for a twofer deal for AOL. While I am glad to see them doing anything at all for the Mac I am baffled by their continued inability to sync the feature sets for the Mac and Windows products after almost 5 years of nothing. This is why AOL is no longer a player and should just close up shop once and for all. Sad.  
(Version 1.1b1)

THREEDEE912  I have to say, I'm surprised that AOL is still updating it's Mac client. It's a tad slow and still a little buggy, but the interface is clean, and you can chat to people fine. It's not on par with Adium yet, but it's a lot better than that ancient v4.7 back from 2003 or whatever.  
(Version 1.0)

TOMIS  Dear AOL. Start by being feature complete against iChat (audio/video), have a clean user interface (kill the style bar), and then improve from there.

Save your bandwidth. There's no reason to choose this over iChat.  
(Version 1.0b5)

GMAX  QUICK! Someone tell AOL it's 2008!  
(Version 1.0b4)

PATDDFAN88  This is the only piece of software you'll never need to install on your Mac! Apple has included AIM with Mac OS X since 10.0, and it is a waste of time!

Also, I suggest you get Adium instead. it's the best AIM client out there, and it also lets you chat with MSN, Google, and Yahoo users too!

Sorry AOL, but you might as well tell people that your software is dead!  
(Version 1.0b2)

LUMINOUS  There are still some bugs, but superb app!!!  
(Version 1.0b2)

NED SCOTT  Apparently version numbers roll over at AOL..   
(Version 1.0b2)

MISHA  I really don't see the advantage of this over iChat, except a slightly different interface. It definitely has advantages over Adium for some things (file transfers, mostly, which still are painful with Adium over AIM), but so does iChat.

Still, it's good to see AOL continuing to develop this, I suppose.  
(Version 1.0b1)

MAC4DREW  I like it. Fast, clean, and stable on an Intel Mac, just like AIM for OS 9 used to be on my old iBook. No ads, just pure classic AIM goodness.

They have attained almost feature parity with the previous Mac version, which is also very cool. Some things missing: notifications and the ability to change sounds (which I believe can both be added via a plugin on the AIM Lite website http://x.aim.com/laim/ ) and video/audio chat, which cannot be added.

I use Adium for most of my instant messaging, but it still doesn't handle Direct IM or AIM chats very well. It crashes ALL THE TIME for me.

If you ever use Direct IM or AIM Chats, you should be pleasantly surprised by this little program. It hasn't crashed once since I started using it.

Only problem is, it only seems possible to save images received from Direct IM as low-quality GIFs. It prints images on the screen in full quality but then won't save them as anything but a low quality GIF.

Please, AOL, update this some more... there are some people out there who appreciate it.   
(Version 0.8.6)

TOMIS  Don't waste your bandwidth. The interface needs a complete overhaul. Very bare-bones and awkward. Feels like a weird cross between the old Carbon port and a modern Cocoa app. It's going to be a while until this is anywhere near being a replacement for iChat.  
(Version 0.8.6)

RORO01  What are the advantages of this application over iChat?  
(Version 0.8.6)

THREEDEE912  Wow, after almost 3 years, AIM for Mac has actually been updated?  
(Version 0.8.6)

PISSNAROUND  well, this has any number of problems which I have to assume is because its a beta version, although it doesnt say so. It crashes when I quit the app, it doesnt scroll text correctly in message windows, and I have to install a new copy every time I want to use it. otherwise it's fine... :o)  
(Version 0.8.6)

ENLIGHTENED411  * How-to Use ADIUM instead of the Outdated

AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)

Why use ADIUM instead of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)?

1) Because AIM hasn't been updated since 18 Feb 2004 (almost 4 yrs)!

2) Because you can use ADIUM to maintain your AIM presence online

ADIUM is not only Free (donations helpful), it is up-to-date and one of the top universal chat clients. Universal in that it interfaces with all chat accounts (AIM, ICQ, Jabber, MSN, Yahoo!, Google Talk, and more)

Get ADIUM right here on MacUpdate:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/6366

Enlightened411 (^__^)

http://enlightened411.wordpress.com/  
(Version 4.7)

ARUCH1  I recently got the G5 mac for school, and have had problems with AOL i/m 4.7 and mozilla firefox randomly "quitting". It's extremely annoying and I don't know what to do to fix it! I called applecare once and she told me to empty my cache files but that hasnt quite done the trick.  
(Version 4.7)

ST00P!D M0NK3Y  Even though this app is 2 years old, it still seems faster, more stable, and less buggy than it's newer Windows counterpart. Despite that, why in the heck did they stop supporting new updates? Oh my gosh! Download the new Macintosh version! Oh wait...it was released in 2004. AOL needs to get up off their rears and come out with a new Mac OS X version because this is freaking ridiculous.  
(Version 4.7)

N0DL  Hello my sister just happily purchased an imac G5 (the imac with the isight camera built in and ibooth etc) sorry if i got the model number wrong... I am an MAC newbie after all... Anyway, While my sister runs OSX tiger, I run linux(ubuntu). Whenever my sister is running AIM4.7 it disconnects my sister out of random. An error message saying "AIM has suddenly quit". At first i thought it was becuase me and my sister were logged on AIM at the same time. So I logged off but that did not solve the problem. The only thing i have been running besides my browser was an irc client (irssi to be specific). Does anyone have any idea what the problem is or how to fix this?

A happy new non-windows using family.  
(Version 4.7)

JASON  Some of us HATE iChats layout and the fact that it lacks animated gif buddy icons, profiles, file sharing etc. Adium doesnt suport file sharing. i mean sharing not transfer. AIM is still the best at doing everything that needs to be done and displaying the buddy list. i dont want another program. I want this updated just like windows. who the hell canned it, it used to get updated all the time.  
(Version 4.7)

ERIKA  I have mac OS X tiger, and I can't download AIM, why?

I don't want to use iChat.  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  Just use iChat, the Tiger version (3.0) has a lot of good features and in adium 0.81 they also have file transfers  
(Version 4.7)

ADAM  Why on earth are you using AOL Instant Messenger, why not use iChat?  
(Version 4.7)

JOSH  When is there going to be an updated version on this????? It's been HOW LONG since they updated? At least 2 or 3 years. I'm geting sick of waiting, and if there is no more updates, then screw AOL.  
(Version 4.7)

NILE   I recently downloaded AIM 4.7 for Mac, and I am very pleased, except for the fact that the talk feature is not supported. Will there ever be another higher version of AIM for Mac users???

PS: Alana, to set away messages, go down to the dock, click the AIM icon, hold it, then when the menu comes up, click on " Away Messages."  
(Version 4.7)

ALANA  Aim version 4.7 sucks!!! I've been using version 5.1 on windows for like 5 years and it sucks that i cant get it on mac. Version 4.7 is like forgein for me, i have no clue how to use it. I dont even know how to set my away message!  
(Version 4.7)

DANI  i wanted to know if someone knows if i can make a voice chat with this messenger, and if not, do you know any program that supports it? i have mac os X 10.2.8 thanx.. if you know, can you send me an email...  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  I like that you can see the status of the file transfers unlike adium ;)  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  it blows that they cant update AIM for Mac to have cool features and skins like in 5.5 for window users, does anybody know when they will come up with a new version,or a better version of AIM for macs?  
(Version 4.7)

NIKO  have a problem. since i updated to this from the beta version, i cannot share files or transfer them to non-mac people.  
(Version 4.7)

PORTHOS  I can see alot of people do not like this AOLIM. I am on AOL as an Internet Service Provider and to tell you the truth.....over her in the UK it really is not that bad using the integrated Messenger that comes with AOL X......BUT I have tried one version of AOL IM once before and found it to be a waste of time.

My advice to you people is to get an AOLIM account...but instead of using poor unrealiable rubbish like this....do youreself a favour and use iChat...not only can you have all your buddy lists but I have had no problems with it at all...great app, go get it!  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  Blows. Gotta use adium everybody. (http://www.adiumx.com)  
(Version 4.7)

DERS  AIM is a bug. Use Adium www.adiumx.com  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  re: Abstraction's comment above --->

I have never seen an AIM "bug" - at lkeast not in any recent build . . . nor have any of my friends or family. I asked.  
(Version 4.7)

ABSTRACTION  Trust me… there are many bugs to be fixed. If you've never had a problem with AIM consider yourself lucky. Not lucky as in 1 in 10 lucky. We're talking hit by lightining 3 times lucky. You must literally be one of the luckiest people in existance. In fact you're so lucky I want to touch you, I'll even give you $20.  
(Version 4.7)

ECKS76  Yeah, they'll add new featues in version 40.3, which is when all the "bugs" will be fixed. Oh yeah, never once have I experienced any bugs, nor has anyone I know (excluding PC users), so what exactly is it they're fixing?  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  Besides the fact that this program stinks, AIM 4.7 has no new features as well as a lack of audio ability. Sheesh AOL, come on! Just use iChat AV.  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  wow it's basically identical to the last 40 aim builds. y4444y!!!! *rolleyes*  
(Version 4.7)

SHARK  They need to fix the crazy amount of things wrong with it first  
(Version 4.7)

ANONYMOUS  Are they going to actually add FEATURES?  
(Version 4.7)

JOEL NELSON  If you just need the basic features of AIM (chat and instant messaging) use iChat. My personal opinion is that iChat is a superior product. AIM still has its place for things that iChat can't do (yet?), but for the basic IM features I prefer iChat. AOL is clearly putting more time into the Windows version so it is much farther ahead in features than their Mac version. I still use AIM 4.7b3 occasionally if I need something iChat can't do, but am using iChat more and more. If you're not happy with either iChat or AIM then try Fire or Adium or any other compatible program.  
(Version 4.7b3)

STEF  Video chat is ok but no sound!! Why?  
(Version 4.7b3)

CURLYNOSE  AOL has ads. There isn't a way to get rid of them yet. That alone bugs me half to death. If that wasn't enough, iChat is available. AOL has buddy aliases. Big deal. iChat automatically aliases them from your address book, and let's you identify people on your buddy list by their icon, not their name. If that's not enough, the windows on AIM just look so cheap. If you have OS 10.1, then this is your best option. If you've got better than that, steer away.  
(Version 4.7b3)

MADOG  After you make it so AIM doesn't show that banner at the bottom, this app becomes no better than what you started with. The only reason iChat was created was because of the negligence of AOL towards their mac subscibers. That has been aparent to me since AOL version 3.0 hit the mailboxes. Now there is a new AOL out about every 3 months, and mac users are not only forced to use a sub-par program, but an outdated one as well. This lack of initiative is also shown in AIM and the fact that it is not even compatible with their own software on other platforms. That alone should show one that the company is not interested in keeping it's mac customers. It's not like the first few months of OS X's release when software developers were scrambling to make their programs compatible, I mean we've already gone from 10.0 to 10.3 and users are STILL waiting for the same functionality and speed we had before.  
(Version 4.7b3)

ANONYMOUS  Try one of the Adium 2.0 nightly builds (I recommend 1/7/2004). I'm guessing that most people are basing their recommendations off of 1.6, but 2.0 is certainly a step up.  
(Version 4.7b3)

ANONYMOUS  he was obviously praising Adium, he said that it had everything AOLIM has (file transfer, typing notifications, away message reading, et cetera) except Adium DOESN'T have file sharing (unnecessary) and it ISN'T slow and shoddy like AOLIM.  
(Version 4.7b3)

ANONYMOUS  Adium has buddy typing notification.

The only main feature it doesn't have is file sharing. Oh, and a shoddy interface and molasses-like speed.  
(Version 4.7b3)

MR. CHIN  Still better then Adium since it has features I commonly use that Adium has yet to add. But Adium has a few noted features that make it stand out (tabbed chat window & spell check).

However it lacks file sending (very important to me) and buddy typing notification.

Fire & Icq have been my choices due to feature set, proteus is out of the question for me. I can't bring myself to pay a shareware fee for something that has yet to truly prove it's worth over other clients.

Fire is not flawless but contains encryption which is extremely nice. If Fire just fixed a few things I would say it would be my main client.

I do wish ICQ would crank out somethung awsome though, long time fave.  
(Version 4.7b2)

SHANIQUA  "Adium" and "aesthetics" should never be used in a sentence together. Nor should "AOL" and "good software," or "iChat" and "even a bare minimum feature set."

While still imperfect, Proteus will remain my choice.  
(Version 4.7b2)

ANONYMOUS  anyone who has a subtle feel for aesthetics would know adium is the best IM client.  
(Version 4.7b1)

POWERIBOOK   Good!!

At Last,this app. show me to work correctly,from the first launch. Very smooth. No problem.

As far as I noticed in the very first launch session,the "Arrange IM Windows" menu under window menu seems cool. The "Tile" in it works like somewhat Expose. Huh?

Hope to keep on cool good App.!!  
(Version 4.7b1)

ANONYMOUS  All you guys are on drugs! iChat is the best AOL Instant Messenger client! You can change your buddy's screen names to their real names, and it uses almost no system resources, while on the other hand, AIM uses quite a bit. Plus iChat is the best integrated into OS X, after all it is made by apple. Which is why you can Audio and Video chat in it with other apple users. Has AIM released any A/V support for macs yet? =P  
(Version 4.7b1)

RYCHIAR  ichat sux, no profile, no normal buddy icons, if u have 200 buddies ya dont want em all on there cus ya aint got all ther pix or info for addy cards and ther hard to scroll thru, its just annoying, AIm is so much better, i agree aol should get off ther asses and release a non beta version tho  
(Version 4.7b1)

ANONYMOUS  Never had a problem using AIM. Works great. Only wish AOL would reimplement the voice chat feature it once had that worked really great.  
(Version 4.7b1)

POWERIBOOK   Seemingly, this latest version of AOL-Instant Messenger is still have the same problem as the pervious version 4.5.xxx have had.

That IS: just on the launching,the app. quit most of the launches ,with an alert box saying it quitted with the Type 2 error.

Therefore, I have not seen the Buddy List window,the main window, of these latest versions nearly at all so far.

I launced both of above,4.5.xxx & 4.6, mostly on OS 9,that's why I can chat via iChat on OS X.

Does anyone know how to slove this problem?  
(Version 4.6)

PEDRO PERES  It's a very unstable program ( but come on it is a beta version) and , it does not have the options that a mac user would like to have on this kind of program , such has voice chat , and videoconference. I prefer the ichat Av , it is better . this program is a PIECE OF JUNK comparing to the ichat.  
(Version 4.6)

DAN  I see nothing here to indicate that "4.6" is a beta release, but apparently it is. And it's highly unstable, reliably crashing four of our Macs during its sign-on process.  
(Version 4.6)

JASON [THEBOX]  AOL Instant Messenger for Mac OS X has truly come out to be a good appication. It doesn't look that beautiful in OS X, but when you want a client that actually has more of the features than any other, look no further. Sure, iChat looks and feels better (I use it too, I'm not putting it down or anything), but this actually is useful as well. We Mac users are still waiting for the talk feature though; basically all of my school friends (I'm 14) use PC's, and they wonder why my client doesn't support talk.  
(Version 4.6)

ANONYMOUS  AIM is History long live iChatAV  
(Version 4.6)

STRONGMANTIM  With this version, my main screenname signs off after 3-5 seconds and an alert box appears saying that my screenname has been signed on at another location. Only one of my three screennames is affected by this. When I revert to 4.5.995 the problem goes away  
(Version 4.6.1131)

ANONYMOUS  Freeze Mac OS 9.1  
(Version 4.6.1131)

NIGHTWINGM  what ever happened to the audio feature for AIM i know the new ichat has it but ichat a/v is for osx..i partitioned both and i want to talk to friends on.."pc" bring back the audio for aim!  
(Version 4.6.1131)

ANONYMOUS  I can't get the new features to work. I dislike the banners and find the interface/menus not quite straight forward. There are better IMs out there.  
(Version 4.6.1131)

ANONYMOUS  Why don't they just stop wasting time and port the PC version... At least the Mac version can enter community chats without having to go to the AIM web site first.  
(Version 4.6.1131)

MACFREAKIE  Huh ? How can I use the ICQ-feature ?

AIM: MacFreakie@mac.com

ICQ: 166161135  
(Version 4.6.1131)

JEFF MINCEY  AOL reports that AIM 4.6's new features will include SMS capability and the merging of the AIM and ICQ databases. But if you read closely on AOL's web site, this applies only to the Windows release of AIM -- at least for the beta period. Is anyone really surprised?

Meantime, we still cannot do something as basic and modest as search for new buddies (based on any particular criteria) nor do we have talk capability -- in spite of the fact that these functions were present in the OS 9 version of AIM over three years ago.  
(Version 4.6.1131)

AJGROSSMAN  Great IM client. Does anybody know if you need to anyting special to add an ICQ number to a buddy list (for example, for SMS to a cell phone, you have to put + before the full phone number)?

Alex Grossman  
(Version 4.6.1131)

ANONYMOUS  ICQ SUPPORT?? Wow, didn't see that one coming.. I have to admit this beats all the other clients in features.. if you use it, you may want to seek out "AIM X 4.5 Banner DESTROYER™" ;)  
(Version 4.6.1131)

ANONYMOUS  Best Chat Client Available for OS X. When iChat gets rid of them horrible UI it will be great.  
(Version 4.6.1131)

DERS  voice chat is only available via iChat, which is still crap IMHO, I suggest using Adium www.adiumx.com for anything else, its wonderful.  
(Version 4.6.1131)

STRONGMANTIM  AOL's IM SMOKES all others as far as features go. Not up to par with PC versions, but still the best for OSX. I have trouble opening really, really large IM logs, though.  
(Version 4.5.995)

JAMES  What the hell is different about this from the previous ones? it's just as unstable and clunky (make it cocoa for the love of g-d)...where are the buddy search features like aim5 for the pc has? Where is voice chat like every other IM client has? why isn't this native to os x? WHY WHY WHY  
(Version 4.5.995)

MYSTICALOS  worst for features for aol still not showing any concern for talk feature, even pulling mension of it from download page as a future feature. Also not even implimenting a simple buddy search feature that would take so little effort to put in again. Also text bug is STILL present since a few builds ago. (Copy and paste a large ammount of styled text you'll see it.)  
(Version 4.5.995)

ANONYMOUS  i like this new version. a lot faster than previous versions. i just wish AOL would make it Cocoa and that would really boost speed. And now that they have began calling it AIM in the menu and the dock, it's a lot better. no so much space taken up by the name. i'm going to use this program for a bit, and see how much i like it.  
(Version 4.5.995)

CHRIS LAWSON  Just as featureless and buggy as when I last used it nearly a year ago. Still no buddy search capabilities, either.

Stick with Adium or Proteus. You'll be much happier. About the only thing this does well is transfer files and support buddy icons.  
(Version 4.5.995)

ANONYMOUS  this version sucks more than the last. don't get it.  
(Version 4.5.947)

:O X-(  I like the smilies :D  
(Version 4.5.863)

ANONYMOUS  DO NOT GET THIS PROGRAM!!! It is extremily unstable. Download version 4.5.651, it is much better!  
(Version 4.5.794)

JASON  Requires AOL?????? What the heck is this? I'm switching to a third party application that can access the AIM network. The version that I currently have, the latest if you don't have AOL, quits after I talk for just a few seconds.   
(Version 5.1.3 Build 5G)

YOSHIHIDE KATAGIRI  I went to AOL Instant Messenger's website, but no such version was avalable.

Is this just a rumor?  
(Version 5.1.3 Build 5G)

ANONYMOUS  Only AOL members can download this?! How pathetic... Down with the tyrants!  
(Version 5.1.3 Build 5G)

DOG ALMIGHTY  I can't turn off the smilies. I hate these ugly things! Why'd they even add this feature to it? Is AOL THAT stupid?? They actually think people LIKE to use the smiley feature???

I hate you AOL. ò_ó  
(Version 4.5.651)

LAWRANCE  I can't get the color wheel to stop spinning. I tried a half dozen times before I gave up.  
(Version 4.5.651)

ANONYMOUS  I don't know  
(Version 4.5.355)

ANONYMOUS  No voice support!!! Come on, we need this!  
(Version 4.5.355)

TREVOR  Terrible. I hate how I can't turn off the bouncing icon in the dock when a new message is received. And where is file sharing???  
(Version 4.5.355)

BOWLING OTTER  This is a horrible "uprade." Features missing, loads of bugs... very disappointed.  
(Version 4.5.144)

IRNBRU001  DO NOT DOWNLOAD. Very bad. More like a downgrade then a upgrade. Image connection is gone, as is file transfer. It's gotten even more unmaclike. Along with that it has major bugs. It doesn't import your preferences from past versions. It doesn't even uninstall right (figures).  
(Version 4.5.144)

AIM USER SINCE DAY ONE  This latest version TAKES AWAY some great features that were present in previous versions... no more file/folder transfers, no more "IM Image Connection"... No, this version is awful and represents a LARGE step backward!  
(Version 4.5.144)

ANONYMOUS  It couldn't import my old buddylists and it doesn't always connect to the service  
(Version 4.5.78)

CHRIS GREGORY  Its slow and doesn't have logs :-(  
(Version 4.5.78)