Why I Loathe AOL

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with Mr. Beelerspace. With security being such a big issue nowadays, I don't blame AOL from blocking the use of Trillian on its servers without first consulting with AOL before doing it. Yahoo! has been blocking third party IM clients from using voice on it's networks and users finding ways around this have opened up (created or discovered?) security leaks and caused many problems for the servers and users of its Messenger software. While I agree that cross-platforming IM clients is a good idea, these companies need to work together so they have full compatibility (including chat room cross-platforming) while ensuring safety for both the users of these chat clients and the servers and companies that run them.

I think the latest version of Trillian (0.721) “fixes” that problem with AIM. They're usually quick about turning the tables on the IM services that try to block them. Microsoft has tried the same thing, and it wasn't a week before Trillian was back in business. Until there is a unified messaging system of some sort, then I'm all to happy to support Trillian. I'm NOT going to run 4 different RAM-hog IM clients just to cater to the various people that want to IM with me when one will do just fine.
I don't consider IM to be a secure environment. Ever. Thus, it's not a big deal to me. If someone is interested in me sending little heart symbols to my girlfriend over IM, more power to them. You wouldn't send your credit card number or accounts/passwords over email would you? IM is no more secure than is email.
-Furo

Brian,
Good points, but I doubt that it was actually security that motivated AOL to protect its network. If it was, then why did it take so long for Trillian to become blocked? If security truly was an issue for AOL, then wouldn't they be constantly scanning their network and watching for “intruders” to the network like Trillian users?
No, I don't think it's coincidence that CNET posted a review of IM programs only a few days ago and gave a glowing review of Trillian - far more than they could say for AIM.
And besides. Do you *really* think that had Trillian programmers contacted AOL, they would've given Trillian a thumbs up regardless of how many security procedures they installed in Trillian? Not likely. I think it has much more to do with that 120 pixel banner ad on AIM than it does with security.

Hopefully next time AOL throws a fit, .721's new auto-update should let the expirence be a bit more painless. That is if Trillian's programmers can fix it, because AOL is quite capible of more perminant things to the third party IM clients. But hey, this is why I use ICQ.

I REALLY REALLY hate aol, and as for the whole netscape thing…if i were the judge i would just laugh and walk away, but anyway, i think maybe aol (oh how i hate being honest) is right because for one good reason, they have those flashing ads in AIM, someone is paying them to put those ads in and if everyone goes over to trillian aol looses money because no one looks at the ads, if that were to happen were would the money come from for aol to keep the aim servers running? They could just make it for aol users only. Thats about the only good excuse i could find. I hate aol anyway…lol

I don't want to alarm anyone, but AOL owns ICQ now, so I wouldn't be suprised if the “security” issue raises its ugly head on those servers too…. but I have faith that the guys at Trillian will squash that one pretty quick… As far as the WHY goes, that little annoying banner advertisment is exactly the “security” issue AOL is worried about… I just discovered Trillian about 2 weeks ago, based on Chris' glowing comments about it and I've fallen in love with the thing… definitely 100% better than having the 4 memory hogs running at the same time…

Ok. Ok. Now we got the guys who can't live without the most Mac-i-licious G-thing (because they're so insanely cool) talking about how they can't live without the most fabulous Windows IM “Trillian” because it replaces 4 memory-hogs.
Hmmmm… browsing the Trillium site. Nope. No mention of any systems other than Win32.

Paul,
You have to rember this is still a “beta” program, if you want to run it on whatever, send them an e-mail, and see if they have any plans to port it, you never know, they just might. Oh, and it is not the “Mac-i-licious ” factor that pulled me towards it, its the fact that it dosent contain any stupid ads for “1 million hours of free AOL”, or any ads for that matter.

Have to say that I would rather give up friends dumb enough to stay with AOL than give up Trillian…. and it's not even close :)

I think AOL is blocking Trillian because Scott and Kevin created an encrytion feature over AOL and ICQ's IM. This makes Trillian even more secure than AOL. To go along with the idea of “Big Brother”-ing, I think AOL is angry because they can't track Trillian users and they can't make a product as good as Trillian.

Ok, well if you look at it like Anthony, your 100% correct. AOL is losiing buisness to Trillion. They have every right in the world to block them from stealing their buisness. Anyway thats my opinion….Bye :)

when the hell did AOL become more evil than microsoft? I grant you they are up there - but if someone wants to sue the pants of microsoft, go for it.