CONTENTS
About Aim ~ Step By Step ~ The App ~ Contacts (PRIORITY) ~ Organize Buddies
About Aim ~ Step By Step ~ The App ~ Contacts (PRIORITY) ~ Organize Buddies
About AIM
The Problem : The Solution
The Problem
When we roleplay, we meet people. Sometimes we want to talk to these people. Usually we want them to get their butts online so we can roleplay.
Sometimes we are lucky enough that we get online at the same time. Sometimes we have to wait for hours until they finally arrive. Other times, we miss them by a minute, and then get this face O.e as we fidget and thumb twiddle and pray they come back.
When do these people get online?
How can we let them know we are online?
Usually we can't.
Sometimes we exchange emails. That's nice, but not everyone is an email fiend like me who is always checking emails at five minute intervals of the day.
Sometimes we exchange cell numbers or facebooks. It's more efficient, but can be tricky or even dangerous. You never know if your peppy, bubbly internet buddy is actually a fifty year old man.
So what is the SAFE, EFFICIENT, and EASY solution?
AIM.
AIM is an online chatting service that can be downloaded as a computer application. (more details later). It's like one big cbox smack dab on your computer. With the proper steps, you can be a totally anonymous person chatting away with your buddies. And you don't have to peruse fifty sites to find the one chatbox your buddy will check and find out you're online and waiting for them. Just leave the app open on your computer and it will send you a friendly ping whenever someone messages you.
Confused? Concerned? Just keep reading a bit. I promise this idea is REVOLUTIONARY!
When we roleplay, we meet people. Sometimes we want to talk to these people. Usually we want them to get their butts online so we can roleplay.
Sometimes we are lucky enough that we get online at the same time. Sometimes we have to wait for hours until they finally arrive. Other times, we miss them by a minute, and then get this face O.e as we fidget and thumb twiddle and pray they come back.
When do these people get online?
How can we let them know we are online?
Usually we can't.
Sometimes we exchange emails. That's nice, but not everyone is an email fiend like me who is always checking emails at five minute intervals of the day.
Sometimes we exchange cell numbers or facebooks. It's more efficient, but can be tricky or even dangerous. You never know if your peppy, bubbly internet buddy is actually a fifty year old man.
So what is the SAFE, EFFICIENT, and EASY solution?
AIM.
AIM is an online chatting service that can be downloaded as a computer application. (more details later). It's like one big cbox smack dab on your computer. With the proper steps, you can be a totally anonymous person chatting away with your buddies. And you don't have to peruse fifty sites to find the one chatbox your buddy will check and find out you're online and waiting for them. Just leave the app open on your computer and it will send you a friendly ping whenever someone messages you.
Confused? Concerned? Just keep reading a bit. I promise this idea is REVOLUTIONARY!
What Is AIM?
IN ORDER TO USE THIS AS AN EFFICIENT WAY OF KEEPING IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ROLEPLAY FRIENDS, IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO OPEN UP YOUR AIM APPLICATION AS SOON AS YOU GET ON YOUR COMPUTER
What About The Risks?
Risks?
None.
This is NOT some little app that a random person put together. It is not filled with viruses and no random person can stalk your chats.
It is a completely professional chat service. So professional in fact that they are on terms with facebook and google hangouts so you can even add those contacts.
None.
This is NOT some little app that a random person put together. It is not filled with viruses and no random person can stalk your chats.
It is a completely professional chat service. So professional in fact that they are on terms with facebook and google hangouts so you can even add those contacts.
How To Set It Up So That No One Knows Your Real Info
1. Make a new email address that is not connected to the real you. An email address that doesn't feature your real name. Mine is [email protected]. I usually give it out to my roleplay buddies.
2. Use that email for your AIM account.
3. When the AIM setup asks for your name, just make one up. I have Niitari Dreadknightmare as mine. Why? This is the name anyone who is a buddy on your AIM account will see. My name is fake but also a combo of my two most widely used names on roleplays so my buddies can recognize me.
4. When giving a profile picture, don't use your real one.
5. Do NOT link up your google hangouts, phone contacts, or facebook profile. It never hurts to be extra careful.
Simple right? No kidding.
2. Use that email for your AIM account.
3. When the AIM setup asks for your name, just make one up. I have Niitari Dreadknightmare as mine. Why? This is the name anyone who is a buddy on your AIM account will see. My name is fake but also a combo of my two most widely used names on roleplays so my buddies can recognize me.
4. When giving a profile picture, don't use your real one.
5. Do NOT link up your google hangouts, phone contacts, or facebook profile. It never hurts to be extra careful.
Simple right? No kidding.
Short, Personal Message
I love AIM. I've been using it for three years since I didn't have a cellphone for so long.
It's easy to get the hang of and fun to use. I usually leave my AIM chat window up all day long so that I can chat with my friends. In fact, I use AIM more than I text on my phone or go on facebook since I can do both using AIM.
As for using AIM as a way to contact roleplay buddies, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner!
It's easy, efficient, and you are istantly notified when people are online to chat or are messaging you.
It's easy to get the hang of and fun to use. I usually leave my AIM chat window up all day long so that I can chat with my friends. In fact, I use AIM more than I text on my phone or go on facebook since I can do both using AIM.
As for using AIM as a way to contact roleplay buddies, I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner!
It's easy, efficient, and you are istantly notified when people are online to chat or are messaging you.
Step-By-Step With Screenshots (coming soon)
Step 1
Go to the AIM website. Either directly by going to www.aim.com or by typing AIM into your search bar.
Go to the AIM website. Either directly by going to www.aim.com or by typing AIM into your search bar.
Step 2
Go to that orange button the Big Friendly Arrow is pointing to.
Go to that orange button the Big Friendly Arrow is pointing to.
Step 3
Create Your account. Very self explanatory.
Use the email address you don't mind your mysterious roleplay buddy enigmas seeing.
You may or may not use your real birthday depending on your own preferences.
Create Your account. Very self explanatory.
Use the email address you don't mind your mysterious roleplay buddy enigmas seeing.
You may or may not use your real birthday depending on your own preferences.
Step 4
After you sign up, you will have an email prompt to activate the account.
Hit Activate my new AOL blahblah
Then sign in to activate the account.
After you sign up, you will have an email prompt to activate the account.
Hit Activate my new AOL blahblah
Then sign in to activate the account.
Step 5
Now make your name!
Pick a name your unknown internet buddies primarily know you by and one you don't mind them seeing. ie: mine is Niitari Dreadknightmare.
THAT was the creation of the account. But now to get the app. The application is handy so that you can always have it and can even stick it in your bottom taskbar.
Now make your name!
Pick a name your unknown internet buddies primarily know you by and one you don't mind them seeing. ie: mine is Niitari Dreadknightmare.
THAT was the creation of the account. But now to get the app. The application is handy so that you can always have it and can even stick it in your bottom taskbar.
Step 6
Type in AIM Express into your search bar or go to www.aim.com/products/express
NOTE: It says the word Products but there is NO purchase necessary!
This page will appear.
See the bottom? The one that has the running man logo and AIM in capital letters? Then there's the words: GET AIM and it features iPhone, Android... ok you see it now right?
Pick one. I picked MAC because I have a MAC laptop.
Download. By now you should have a general knowledge of how to download stuff on your own system (I am not walking you through this)
Type in AIM Express into your search bar or go to www.aim.com/products/express
NOTE: It says the word Products but there is NO purchase necessary!
This page will appear.
See the bottom? The one that has the running man logo and AIM in capital letters? Then there's the words: GET AIM and it features iPhone, Android... ok you see it now right?
Pick one. I picked MAC because I have a MAC laptop.
Download. By now you should have a general knowledge of how to download stuff on your own system (I am not walking you through this)
THE APP
So now you have the app. Here's what it will look like and some super duper simple things to do.
Here is what your application looks like. When you click on the AIM button in your taskbar or your icons or whatever, this is what will pop up (unless you are logged out, then the log in thing will appear.)
Right under Contacts, there are originally two groups called Add Facebook Contacts and Add Google Contacts. DELETE THOSE! This is for your roleplay buddies only.
There will be ads on the bottom. Ignore.
Here is what your application looks like. When you click on the AIM button in your taskbar or your icons or whatever, this is what will pop up (unless you are logged out, then the log in thing will appear.)
Right under Contacts, there are originally two groups called Add Facebook Contacts and Add Google Contacts. DELETE THOSE! This is for your roleplay buddies only.
There will be ads on the bottom. Ignore.
The Big Friendly Arrow on the far left is pointing at the picture. You can change it. The little pop up will appear and you can then upload a photo from your computer.
This is your option button featuring handy features. There is also the preferences option. I suggest ignoring the add facebook friends and google talk contacts if you want to keep this confidential and private for roleplay buddies.
Now they gave you two options to view your chat setup: Classic and New. The ones above are the classic option with contacts and chat seperate. This is the New one with contacts and chat together. You can change the chat setup in preferences (see above image)
Yes I live in Wisconsin. Land of the Cheeseheads! WOARGH!!!
Yes I live in Wisconsin. Land of the Cheeseheads! WOARGH!!!
Contacts and Groups
read this carefully as known issues have arisen in adding contacts
The AIM people have recently updated everything, hence why there are some issues. The biggest one so far seems to be adding contacts. Please read the following carefully.
You can add a contact two ways. Either go to that options button on your sidebar (the one our Big Friendly Yellow Arrow points to) or hit the plus button in your little contacts list (the one our Big Friendly Red Arrow points to).
You can add a contact two ways. Either go to that options button on your sidebar (the one our Big Friendly Yellow Arrow points to) or hit the plus button in your little contacts list (the one our Big Friendly Red Arrow points to).
THIS IS THE BIG ISSUE
You will get the following pop up. It will say Enter Username, email, or mobile.
TYPE IN THE EMAIL
Typing in the username seems to be screwed up. Your contact will permanently be offline and you won't be able to chat with them.
You will get the following pop up. It will say Enter Username, email, or mobile.
TYPE IN THE EMAIL
Typing in the username seems to be screwed up. Your contact will permanently be offline and you won't be able to chat with them.
You also have a Enter new or existing group thingy. The best thing to do is make a group for each rp site you roleplay on and organize your buddies that way. If they are on multiple sites, just figure out something else that works for you.
ORGANIZE BUDDIES
Since your friend has a whacked out first and last name, you can change it so that you know them by their roleplay out of chat name that you always address them by.
Click on a buddy. Hover over the pencil icon that our Big Friendly Arrow is pointing to.
Click on a buddy. Hover over the pencil icon that our Big Friendly Arrow is pointing to.
A pop up will appear. Simply type in the new name.
And that's it.