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I’ve spent about 20 minutes perusing the index here trying to find info about the LATEST version of AIM.
Logically I’d expect that info to be always available in a “sticky” topic –
But I can’t see it amongst a maze of things in “Latest & Most Useful…..”.
And “AIM FAQs” doesn’t look promising – last updated 2 years ago!!
A title of “Jon8RFC’s Stuff” didn’t mean anything to me, so I went and looked, and at least there IS a reference to 3861, but apparently just for some specific files.So I look down past the Stickies to the normal stuff, and no topic there seems to pertain to specific versions.
I normally hang out around the YM section, and it seems similar there, to my way of thinking – too many outdated and piecemeal stickies, with not much direction pointing to The Current Version.
Do I expect too much ? Or perhaps others agree an overhaul appears overdue ?
(FWIW, My specific query, ABOUT 3861, is can anyone tell me if it’s “safe” to upgrade to, as it looks like it may force AOL-Explorer and other stuff onto me. DOES the install have choices ?)
I don’t think the actual forums need any reorganisation, however on our Downloads page, perhaps another section called, ‘Latest Version Number’ could be added to each of the different IM download sections?
As for your specific problem, I don’t use AIM so I’m not all that sure, but if no one knows, perhaps you could just download the installation package, and then before actually confirming the installation options, check to see whether or not you are provided with a set of choices. If not, you can then cancel the install.
you can always see most if not all of the AIM versions here: http://jon8rfc.homeip.net/aim/versions/ (note: these installers are modified by Jon8RFC ). http://aim.com/get_aim/win/latest_win.adp also contains the latest version number. i do not know about the latest AIM’s installation. i use AIM 4.8 because it is less bloated.
i think this belongs in the Suggestions Box, but i’m not sure.
user91c wrote:you can always see most if not all of the AIM versions here: http://jon8rfc.homeip.net/aim/versions/ (note: these installers are modified by Jon8RFC ).
Let me clarify that–I haven’t modified the installers or any part of the files within the installer (I don’t even know how to do that). I have renamed a few of the older installers to the appropriate naming scheme AOL uses–Install_AIM_5.9.3861.exe. When AOL archived some of their older versions, they renamed many of them to a generic “Install_AIM.exe”; I just renamed them if needed, because it’s a lot easier on the eyes when viewing a lot at once, and ensures that all of the installers are listed in chronological order. It wouldn’t be handy to see 8 “Install_AIM.exe” ‘s and not know what version they actually were, right? 😉So again, I have not modified the installers in any way whatsoever. In addition, every single one of the 40 installers for 4.8 – 5.9, have the AOL digital signature; they were legit to start out with, and I have not modified them at all since gathering them. If you browse around other “AIM installer archive” sites, download some of them, right-click on the file, and select ‘properties’; you will find that some of those installers don’t have the AOL digital signature…I’m not sure why it doesn’t have it, or how it even got removed, but if it’s missing that, I can only assume that the hash (a way to check the integrity of a file) is different, meaning that it has been modified.
For comparison, http://www.xeons.net –which is a well-known, trusted site–even renamed a few installers, because he knows that the best way to serve up AIM installers is to keep the naming scheme the same. You can compare the hash of my installers to his using this GREAT and easy-to-use tool that I use, http://beeblebrox.org/hashtab/index.php, which adds an extra tab to the ‘properties’ window of files. MD5 is one of the most widely-accepted hash “generators”, but SHA1 is a stronger (for lack of a better word) cipher-strength hash, so you get to see that as well with hashtab. The site owner of Xeons is a trusted member of the AIM community, and he probably only serves up digitally-signed installers, and would NEVER modify the installers; if he did, he would most definitely make it known, and give a very good reason as to why it was done.
For the Triton 4.7.something installer, I modified the installation process to not install the AOL browser. Everyone ends up uninstalling it anyways, and would prefer to not have it installed in the first place.
I hope that you can continue trust me and my site, or begin to gain confidence in me. Jeff wouldn’t have added me to the staff if he thought I wasn’t trustworthy and would reflect badly upon his site and forums. If other staff members thought I would have a negative impact, then they would object to my position as an AIM mentor and I wouldn’t be on the staff.
If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email or contact me on AIM.
Ok, moving on. As for what has changed in each new release of the 5.9 series, we aren’t being given any details as we have in the past, about 2 years ago. With these recent 5.9 versions of the past few months, the programmers are sort of wrapping things up to put out the LAST version of the classic AIM series, before putting forth 100% of their efforts into Triton.With each new version–regardless if it is 5.2.x, 5.5.x or 5.9.x–some of the releases are put out to fix exploits or security holes in the program. Some of the latter 5.9 series may do the same, but my opinion is that most or all of these releases are a repack the installer with an updated version of the AOL Browser. But, since we aren’t being given details, I can’t say for sure if any of these new releases have patched exploits or security holes, but it wouldn’t hurt to upgrade unless you use a plugin that is incompatible, or have a personal objection to it. From your question, I’m assuming that you have no objection, but are seeking opinions of personal objections from other members of this AIM forum.
I stick with 5.9.3599 for three reasons: 1) I don’t like the AOL Browser being packaged with the installer; 2) I’m worried that a new feature might slow down the efficiency of general use of the program; and 3) middle_man (my main plugin of choice) is incompatible with the 5.9 series.
That’s my 2 cents (maybe only one) and I hope others will chime in so you have more opinions to go by. 🙂
Thank you Jon, I think I find my answer in there – the official direct-from-AOL install of 3861 WILL force me to take Browser as well !?
I now understand that you offer one WITHOUT the browser (which I applaud), but I shall continue without it unless/until AOL offer AIM by itself.
Re this “Triton” thing, I very briefly looked into that a few weeks ago, figuring it was a somehow advanced version of AIM, but gee, I honestly wasn’t sure if AIM was even IN there – it sounded like a whole new computer system somehow.
Seems from what you say it IS a new AIM, PLUS Browser, plus maybe some other junk…. so once again I’ll settle for plain AIM as I have, thanks!
I’m not a heavy AIM user anyway.(Good grief, they’re sure going the “Gates Way”, aren’t they! Pity, cos AOL actual programs quite impress me – but definitely NOT their distribution tactics 🙁 )
BTW, User91C, good idea – Suggestions box might have been more appropriate for my post.
Jon8RFC wrote:Let me clarify that–I haven’t modified the installers or any part of the files within the installer (I don’t even know how to do that).sorry about that, i didn’t mean modified in a bad way. i trust you fully. i, just for some odd reason, thought that you incorported your ad removers into the actual installer. that’s the only modification i thought that you did. i didn’t really mean hurt your reputation. i actually love what you’ve done at your site. it’s beautiful (well not really the design, but the content is).Hey man, no harm, no foul 🙂
Thanks! Hehe, that’s EXACTLY what I want to hear about the howto page. I tried to make it a little easier to navigate, but it’s there for all of YOU, so I want to make it best for the majority…feel free to poke fun or throw out some suggestions, I’ll never take offense 🙂
Yeah, the adremovers are their own thing, and all the default files are 100% pure…AmericanOL style? So if you ever feel SOL with AOL, then grab those files whenever you need them. I’d like to host a whole default program directory as well, but currently I don’t have anywhere NEAR enough bandwidth to do such a thing…yet.
K, I’m finished with that rant. So Eagle, yeah that ONE recent version of AIM was, for some odd reason packaged without the browser, but they threw it right back into circulation after that. Triton I haven’t kept up with since two or three weeks ago, but I grabbed all of the installation files (since you can’t easily get them if you want them :/ ) for that one version and changed the .ini to not install the browser. I’m pretty sure doing so is within the TOS and legality of the installation process since it isn’t modifying any program files; just a text *.ini file which is used for “preferences/options” of programs, so I assume it’s appropriate to change preferences that are openly available without any form of reverse-engineering, decompiling or otherwise modifying something that isn’t meant to be tampered with, such as the *.exe files. But, modifying that, I can say with complete confidence the following: That would be against the AOL TOS.
Keep the questions coming if you have any others, if you’re still looking for more information to make an informed decision, I’ll do my best to throw stuff out onto the table. Hopefully some others will hop in and give their input, or fix something I may have messed up on.
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