Bobby Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Closing shop after 20 years... https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/6/16435690/aim-shutting-down-after-20-years-aol-instant-messenger It’s a sad moment: AIM, AOL’s long-running instant messenger service that was core to many people’s first social experiences on the internet, will shut down once and for all on December 15th. AOL announced the shutdowntoday, acknowledging that people now communicate in new ways online, so AIM is no longer needed. “AIM tapped into new digital technologies and ignited a cultural shift, but the way in which we communicate with each other has profoundly changed,” writes Michael Albers, communications products VP at Oath (the Verizon behemoth that consumed AOL). TIME TO SET YOUR FINAL AWAY MESSAGE AOL cut off access to AIM from third-party chat clients back in March, hinting at this eventual shutdown. It’s hard to imagine that many people are still using AIM, so that change, nor this upcoming shutdown, are likely to make a huge difference. AIM was one of the first and most successful instant messengers, widely used in the late ‘90s and even throughout the 2000s. I was still using AIM to chat with my friends throughout college at the end of the decade, including to stay in touch with my (not-yet) significant other while she was studying abroad. But with the proliferation of smartphones, everything has changed. Text messaging has taken over for desktop instant messaging apps, and increasingly, we’re seeing other social apps, like Snapchat and Instagram, take over for those in certain ways. For straight messaging, Facebook also makes things much easier, since you’re already connected to everyone you know and can just start up a chat without exchanging arcane things like screen names. In fact, Facebook has multiple billion-user messaging services at this point,Messenger and WhatsApp. Other classic chat apps have shut down in recent years, too. MSN Messenger shut down in 2014, and Yahoo Messenger shut down last year (although Yahoo also launched a new messaging service under the same name). It was only a matter of time until AIM joined them, but there’s still some nostalgia in seeing it go. With AIM on its way out the door, now’s your last chance to write that perfect away message. Link to comment
Beric Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Somewhat related - The other day I learned that ICQ is still around. Link to comment
Afternine Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 10 minutes ago, Beric said: Somewhat related - The other day I learned that ICQ is still around. Holy. This makes me feel old. I remember using this around the late 90s (if memory serves). Ah the good ole teenage years. Link to comment
AmusedDragon Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 I have many fond memories of AIM with my friends back in middle school. Rip. Link to comment
Sijeeral Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 15 hours ago, Afternine said: Holy. This makes me feel old. I remember using this around the late 90s (if memory serves). Ah the good ole teenage years. Yes, late 90s. UH OH! Link to comment
Douglas Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 I didn't even realize that MSN messenger and YIM closed shop Link to comment
Linda Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 27 minutes ago, Douglas said: I didn't even realize that MSN messenger and YIM closed shop I knew that MSN did, because it merged into Skype and I hated it haha. I am honestly still running AIM on my old computer atm, 24/7 online and connected to IRC as well.. not that anyone is ever online but it brings back memories. Link to comment
Beric Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 12 minutes ago, Linda said: I knew that MSN did, because it merged into Skype and I hated it haha. This was a dark day. Link to comment
Deathcon Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 32 minutes ago, Beric said: This was a dark day. Good old MSN messenger gladz interviews Link to comment
Beric Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 Just now, Deathcon said: Good old MSN messenger gladz interviews We had Rider meeting on there, too. Was wonderfully convenient. Link to comment
Joshjrn Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 RIP. Pretty sure I did my first flirting with my SO on AIM. Link to comment
Tristan Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 (edited) 4 hours ago, Beric said: We had Rider meeting on there, too. Was wonderfully convenient. I remember being apart of a few of those MSN was greatly missed and brosix was terribad.... Edited October 7, 2017 by Tristan Link to comment
Deathcon Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 3 hours ago, Tristan said: I remember being apart of a few of those MSN was greatly missed and brosix was terribad.... Tell me james tried to push this Link to comment
Bobby Posted October 8, 2017 Author Share Posted October 8, 2017 James still uses it.... I think @Beric does too Link to comment
Rafi Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 Got my first girlfriend through AIM flirting! Link to comment
Tristan Posted October 8, 2017 Share Posted October 8, 2017 15 hours ago, Deathcon said: Tell me james tried to push this The Brosix thing, I think so >.< Link to comment
Bobby
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