Communicator Help: Using Instant Messenger<sup><font size=-1>TM</font></sup> for AOL<sup><font size=-2>®</font></sup> Communicator

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Using Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator

Signing On and Off

Signing On to the Instant Messenger Service
Signing On Automatically
Saving Your Password
Switching Screen Names or ICQ IDs

Settings & Preferences:
Sign On/Off Preferences
Connection Preferences

Signing On to the Instant Messenger Service

To sign on to the Instant Messenger™ service:

1. Launch Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator.
2. Type the screen name you want to use.
3. Type your password.
   If you leave Save Password selected, you won't have to type your password the next time you sign on.
   If you leave Auto sign on selected, the Instant Messenger™ software will sign you on automatically the next time you launch the program.
4. Click Sign On.

Related topics:

Buddy List Basics
Switching Screen Names or ICQ IDs
Sign On/Off Preferences
Using Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator

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Signing On Automatically

You can set up Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator to sign you on automatically whenever you launch the program.

To set the Auto sign on preference from the Sign On window:

1. Launch Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator.
2. In the Sign On window, make sure the currently selected screen name is the one you want to sign on with automatically.
   If you want to set the preference for a different screen name, select it from the drop-down list or type it.
3. In the Sign On window, click the Auto sign on checkbox to select it.
4. Click Sign On.

The next time you launch Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator, you won't see the Sign On screen. Instead, the program signs you on automatically and your Buddy List window appears.

To set the Auto sign on preference from your Buddy List window:

1. Open the MyIM menu and choose Preferences.
2. Click Sign On/Off in the Category column.
3. Under Sign On, click the checkbox labeled Automatically sign on when AIM starts to select or deselect it.
4. Click OK.

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Saving Your Password

To save your password so you don't have to type it every time:

1. Launch Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator.
2. In the Sign On window, make sure the currently selected screen name is the one you whose password you want to remember.
   If you want to save the password for a different screen name, select it from the drop-down list or type it.
3. In the Sign On window, click the Save Password checkbox to select it.
4. Click Sign On.

The next time you sign on to Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator, your saved password will be sent automatically.

To change your Save Password setting from the Buddy List window:

1. Open the MyIM menu and choose Preferences.
2. Click Sign On/Off in the Category column.
3. Under Sign On, click the checkbox labeled Save Password to select or deselect it.
4. Click OK.

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Switching Screen Names or ICQ® IDs

You can sign on to Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator using an AOL® screen name, an AIM or Netscape Network screen name, or an ICQ ID. However, Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator currently uses Instant Messenger™ terms (such as "buddy" rather than "contact") rather than ICQ™ terms, even when you're logged onto the ICQ™

Each time you sign on using a new screen name or ICQ ID, Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator stores that information (and the associated password, if you choose to save it) and adds it to the drop-down list beside the screen name field in the sign-on window.

To switch from one AOL screen name or ICQ ID to a different one:

1. Launch Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator.
2. In the Sign On window, type the screen name and password that you want to switch to.
   If have you have previously used this screen name, you can select it from the drop-down list instead of typing it.
3. Click Sign On.

To switch screen names from the Buddy List window:

Open the MyIM menu and choose Sign On As a Different User.

You can then select or type a different screen name (or ICQ ID) and password in the SIgn On window as described above.

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Sign On/Off Preferences

If you aren't already viewing your Sign On/Off preferences, start from the Buddy List window, open the MyIM menu, choose Preferences, and click Sign On/Off.

Sign On

- Save Password: When this option is selected, Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator remembers your password and enters it for you automatically when you sign on.
- Automatically sign on when AIM starts: When this option is selected, Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator signs you on automatically whenever you launch the program.

Related topic:

Buddy List Setup

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Connection Preferences

If you aren't already viewing your Connection preferences, start from the Buddy List window, open the MyIM menu, choose Preferences, and click Connection.

You can also open your Connection preferences by clicking the Connection button in the Instant Messenger Sign-On window.

If you access the Internet through an Internet service provider, you most likely will not need to make any changes to your Connection preferences. If you access the Internet through a local area network firewall (for example, at your workplace), then your network administrator may need to supply information so that you can configure the proxy section of the Connection preferences panel.

Server Settings

- Host Name: The default name of the instant messaging server. Under normal circumstances, you do not need to change this address.
  If your proxy server needs to resolve the host name, you may need to type the IP address instead of the name of the server in this field. You can obtain the IP address from your network administrator.
- Port Number: The default server port number for the instant messaging server. Under normal circumstances, you don't need to change this field.

Proxy Settings

- Connect using proxy: Click this button to activate the Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator proxy server controls. Enter the appropriate proxy host, port number, protocol, and authentication information after obtaining it from your network administrator.

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Last Updated September 16, 2003