AIM is the primary instant messenger I use. Out of all the IM services I’ve used over the years, it is the most reliable. In addition, it runs flawlessly on any operating system. Whether you’re on Windows, Mac or Linux, you can run AIM.
The latest client offering on the Windows platform is AIM 7 Beta 2.
Short review:
It’s awesome. If you use AIM, get it.
Long review:
This is best given in points.
- If you run multiple computers at home, you can run it on each computer at the same time. Previously I was only able to do this with AIM Lite.
- Following in the footsteps of AIM Express, messages from those not on your contact list will prompt a window asking if you want to chat with them or not. Previously this wasn’t there.
- Linked accounts work great. In addition, you can have them all set to invisible on login instead of having to set each individually.
- The interface is a whole lot cleaner and a lot less "cartoony" (something Yahoo and Windows Live suffer from in abundance).
- "Me" tab makes it super-easy to manage blocked users in just two clicks (you had to really dig for this previously).
- Integrates with Facebook and Twitter easily with new "Lifestream" tab.
- Integrates with Delicious and YouTube.
- Runs light and doesn’t eat up memory.
- I tested on my XP laptop and Win 7 PC. Runs great on both.
AIM 7 is full of awesome stuff. If you use AIM, you will really like this client.

The only problem w/ AIM is I don’t know anyone who uses it
Everyone I know is on Skype or Live Messenger.
so will aim 7 run on linux?
As far as I know it’s Windows-only software. Also it just got bumped to AIM 7 Beta 3. Still running great in Windows 7 RC. But bear in mind you can use AIM Express which works in any OS.
AIM actually does have a Linux version but it is so unbelievably old that it’s not worth using. Better off using Pidgin or Kopete.
In addition, configuration of AIM accounts under Pidgin *will* allow you to run it on multiple computers. And if you want better spam/flood protection, try Bot Sentry for Pidgin http://sourceforge.net/projects/pidgin-bs/files/