Communicator Help: Getting Started With AOL<sup><font size=-2>®</font></sup> Communicator

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Getting Started With AOL Communicator

Getting Around in AOL Communicator

From the Desktop
From the Window Menu
From the Taskbar and System Tray
Buddy List Mail Tracking
AOL Services

Settings & Preferences:

AOL Communicator Launch Options

From the Desktop

After installation, a shortcut to AOL Communicator is displayed on your desktop. Double-click it to open the AOL Communicator applications that are set to open automatically on launch:

You can also open the Start menu, choose Programs, choose AOL Communicator, and select the individual AOL Communicator application you want to open.

Related topic:

AOL Communicator Launch Options

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From the Window Menu

Each AOL Communicator application has a Window menu to help you navigate within and among applications. If you have more than one window open within a given application, each window is listed at the bottom of the Window menu.

For example, you can open any of the AOL Communicator applications (or your My AOL web page) from the Window menu in AOL® Communicator Mail:

In the middle portion of the menu, Launch Options lets you set which AOL Communicator applications you want to open by default, and Go to AOL Keyword lets you open the AOL® client software on your computer (if it's not already open) and go to a keyword you type.

The three items at the bottom show the currently open Mail windows. The checkmark indicates the currently active window.

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From the Taskbar and System Tray

After you launch AOL Communicator, you can get to any other AOL Communicator application from the taskbar in the bottom left corner of your screen:

Click the icons to move between these AOL Communicator applications (left to right):

- AOL Communicator Mail
- Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator
- AOL Communicator Address Book
- Radio@AOL for AOL Communicator
- My AOL web page (displayed in your default browser)
- My AOL Today

You can select the same applications from the AOL Communicator System Tray icon near the bottom-right corner of your screen.

If the icon includes an envelope, as shown here, you have new mail. Click the icon to see the menu:

You can use the AOL Communicator System Tray icon to launch any of the applications listed above, plus My AOL Today Ticker and Launch Options.

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Buddy List® Mail Tracking

While you're using Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator, you can jump directly to the most recently unopened message for a buddy, or select a buddy and open a new Write Mail window so you can send an e-mail message to that person.

For details, see Checking Messages from Your Buddy List Window.

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AOL® Services

If AOL client software such as AOL 8.0 (or a later version) is available on your computer, you can open it directly from AOL Communicator.

For example, you can open the Help menu in any AOL Communicator application and choose AOL Keyword Services, then perform these actions from the submenu:

- KW: AOL Communicator: Choose this to go to the AOL® Keyword area for AOL Communicator.
- KW: Voicemail: Choose this to go to the AOL Keyword area for AOL® Voicemail.
- Subscribe to AOL® Newsletters: Choose this to subscribe to AOL Newsletters that may interest you.

You can also access these AOL® services from within AOL Communicator:

- Parental Controls: Parental Controls help you set limits on what your children can see and do while they are online, including whom your children can communicate with in e-mail and whether or not they can send and receive instant messages.
  To view or change your Parental Controls from AOL Communicator Mail: Open the Tools menu and choose Parental Controls.
  If you have AOL client software available on your computer, this will open it to your Parental Controls window.
- Mail Away Message: If you know you can't answer your AOL® mail messages for a period of time, you can set a Mail Away message that will automatically be sent once to each person who sends mail to your AOL® account.
  To set a Mail Away message for the currently selected AOL account:
  Open the Tools menu and choose Set Mail Away Message.
  If you have AOL client software available on your computer, it opens to your Mail Away window.
- AOL Alerts: AOL® Alerts keep you instantly informed of important events that you specify. You can access your AOL Alerts from Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator:
  To view your AOL Alerts: Open the MyIM menu and choose View My AOL Alerts.
  A window opens that allow you to view your alerts.
  To manage your AOL Alerts: Open the MyIM menu and choose Manage My AOL Alerts.
  Your default browser opens to the AOL Alerts and Reminders page.

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AOL Communicator Launch Options

AOL Communicator Launch Options control the way that AOL Communicator launches and whether the My AOL Today screen saver is enabled.

If you're not already viewing the Launch Options window, right-click the AOL Communicator icon in the system tray and choose Launch Options.

Auto-launch applications

Select the applications you use regularly:

- Mail: Organize your e-mail accounts and messages the way you want.
- Instant Messenger: Communicate with online-buddies and check your new mail messages at the same time.
- Address Book: Keep your contact information up-to-date and at your fingertips.
- Radio: Listen to and keep track of your favorite music on Radio@AOL.
- My AOL: Launch your customized My AOL page.
- My AOL Today Ticker: Stream your customized My AOL headlines across the top of your screen.

My AOL Today

- Make My AOL Today my default system screen saver: Stream interactive, customized My AOL information across your screen when you're not using it.

Click Preview to see My AOL Today in action.

Click OK to confirm your selections.

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Last Updated September 16, 2003