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AIM 6.0/Triton Beta 1 Review


We have a new AIM version here, just the first beta, nothing final.

A lot of things are different, if you would like to use the beta and try out things then go here: Triton Beta Home

Now I'm going to show you some screen shots of the installation and the new look AIM has, if you choose to use it.

It is different from AIM 5.9 (some ways, mostly all) and any other AIM version too.

This beta is for Windows XP users ONLY and recommend that you have at least 256MB of RAM installed.

Here are some noticeable new features:
  • A modernized appearance and enhance usability
  • Address Book and Buddy List integration
  • Support for multi-party voice chat.
  • Tabbed Instant Messaging
Note that it installs 2 services, AOLServiceHost and AOLHostService, they run in the background, no harm at all. Typical for AOL to do now a days, with it's Browser and other programs, especially AOL itself.

Also note that no spyware yet gets installed. The final version might do this with an option not to of course. Spyware meaning the programs they've been using like WeatherBug, which is not useful (many alternatives to getting rather then this), Games Support (unless you use it) and AIM Popup Blocker (totally useless when there are alternatives). So yea, maybe they are leaving it out of betas or out for good, but nothing gets installed along with this AIM 6.0 Beta 1, so you can feel safe installing it, if you do install it.

First for the beta you need to download it, so you will see the following:
Click to View

Then while installing you'll see:
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Now longer is the AIM running icon used, this is the new icon used, at the systray that is, you'll still see the running man in the icon to open up AIM.


Exciting uh, now the fun begins, here is what AIM 6.0 now looks like when opened!


Then when signing on you'll see the following statuses:
Click to View
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When signed on, here is your new buddy list look!


The drop down menus have been totally changed, and we now have an "IM Catcher".

IM Catcher is basically a way to control all your IM sessions.


We also now can sort buddy list by either group or screen name:


Instant Messages now look like this:


Tabbed Instant Messages look like this:


and here is what our Preferences now look like, nothing special, just your basic stuff, things are different here.
Click to View

That's all for now.

It's a nice change, and I have mixed thoughts, like it, but don't like it. Here are some thoughts, things I have found, and what not.
  • I won't be leaving AIM 5.5 for this anytime soon unless I like what I see and I don't lose anything with my current settings and also see some new settings and more customizable stuff in preferences, since I notice some stuff is gone now from there.
  • I love looking at the AIM running man icon in my systray, I don't want to see . So this is not cool. Please give us the old systray icon back.
  • The new look is pretty cool, I like it but a few things I do not. I definiately do not like the HUGE AIM icon on the sign on or buddy list view window, not sure what I mean? go here to see: click to see what I mean

    I'm not blind for crying out out also the buddy list font is huge. Seems that a LOT of preferences were taken out, you can not change the size of the buddy list font, like you could in 5.5 and I believe 5.9 too still.
  • Still no chat logging, however in beta discussion, people want it and maybe we will see it in future betas or the final release.
  • There is a new notification feature, which is to get one when you get a NEW IM.
  • Seems as if AIM no longer installs spyware, definiately no longer an option for this either. Probably the final version will have this stuff with it, like WeatherBug, AIM Popup Blocker and Games. With an option to not install this stuff of course.
  • Tabbed Instant Messaging is pretty cool, not bad at all I must say. Looks good.
  • It looks like it will be called Triton, and that it is not a project name, from the looks of things and what I've read.
  • The address book is pretty darn cool. I like it, as well as the comments you can do too.
I'll update later if I feel the need to add more, or if I find anything more out or new. 		Button:



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