Thread: The Problems with AIM

Many of you are content to keep saying "AIM works, let's just keep using it". But really, it doesn't. It's hurting our new member influx because AIM will not allow you to make an account without a phone number (see below). There are perhaps other problems too, but that's the major one. Tell me honestly, who among you would have made an AIM account to join URPG activity if it required a phone number? I wouldn't. Why should we expect other people to?

Current AIM sign up, with all information filled out as obviously fake (besides current AIM email I put in, but it doesn't seem to give an error for removing it):
Screen Shot 2015-08-08 at 7.09.20 AM.jpg

Feel free to comment on this or any other problems of AIM, solutions to the mentioned problems, or suggestions for alternatives. Personally IRC seems like the best alternative, as it's been well noted Skype has its own vast array of problems.

Don't we also have a Skype branch of the chat? Why can't they use Skype instead? Unless, Skype also requires a phone number. Well, it doesn't seem that much of a problem, just an utter annoyance, but if the staff wants to go ahead and change the im messenger, I'll be happy to switch clients.

I think we honestly just need something that's streamlined enough like AIM for this kind of thing and isn't too clunky and ram heavy like Skype. Also, really, you have to use a phone number for an AOL account? I guess I might have forgotten about that.

Maybe we should research good IM programs that allow you to make private temporary groups, roll dice, and the like? Something specifically made for RPGs.

Edit: found something called imo.im. maybe it's worth checking out?