Open AIM is now released.

[SULAX50]

Today is a historic day at AOL as we annouced, just moments ago, a software development kit for AOL Instant Messenger. Open AIM will empower you, as the developer, to write custom clients, plugins, and eventually bots. When you include this SDK with the web presence API and AIM Module-T (IAmAlpha, or AIM Modules) we are really starting to build compelling social network development tools. The SDK will be available starting at 5AM EST today at developer.aim.com.

For now, lets concentrate on the Open AIM SDK and get into what it can do for you. First, the development kit is written using COM, so plugins and custom clients can be written for Windows in languages like C++, VB, C#, and eventually J-Script. In the near future we will have solutions for LINUX, MAC and Windows Mobile devices. Why is this important? We now have a solution to provide all AIM users and consumers to build their own IM clients and to extend the features of Triton via plugins. Of course all of this is free of charge. How do I get started? Well my team has provided a quick start guide, and tutorials, in addition to numerous coding examples, from the simple to the complex. Our examples are in C++ and C#.

What are the limitations? Basically anything goes, with the exception of writing multi-headed clients, though as always read the EULA and FAQ for the exact limitations..

Now that we have released this, I will be blogging more and more to help answer questions and to be your guide to using the SDK. Check back later today for a post on some more details on using the SDK to build a custom AIM client.

We have lots more annoucements on the horizon. Over the next few days we will be showing off some more neat stuff. So get started, have fun, and build away on the biggest IM network.

I really would love feedback on this. The small group of engineers who wrote this API have been working on this for 2 years and we really put a lot into this.

Edited March 6, 2006 by SULAX50

[DJLunacy]

Awesome looking forward to playing with it

[Veedems Veteran]

Wow, this is huge. I didn't realize the kit was going to be extended to the point of aiding people create custom clients. This should be REALLY interesting to follow, especially given some of the amateur talent out there.

[Tokar]

AOL is doing everything to clear up their image it seems.

If anyone has any doubts remaining about AOL it should be cleared up by this.

Maybe finally people will stop using DeadAIM :) :) :).

edit:

I'm not 100% clear on what an SDK skit is. Can someone explain? I know it has to do with programming stuff for a program.

Will the release allow GAIM and Trillian to improve their AIM implementation?

[Tiger.Girl]

This is pretty cool (and very unexpected)

[Veedems Veteran]

AOL is doing everything to clear up their image it seems.

If anyone has any doubts remaining about AOL it should be cleared up by this.

Maybe finally people will stop using DeadAIM :) :) :).

edit:

I'm not 100% clear on what an SDK skit is. Can someone explain? I know it has to do with programming stuff for a program.

Will the release allow GAIM and Trillian to improve their AIM implementation?

Well, Greg says multi-headed clients won't be doable so I'm not sure. As for the SDK, it provides a layout and a means of accessing the client and the network using officially endorsed AOL means. This will mean that any client using this kit, made by AOL or not, will be legally allowed to access the network fully without fear of havign AOL shut them out like they did in Trillian's earlier days. On top of that, there is now a documented means of creating plugins for Triton. That's right.....Triton is the first first party client to have official plugin access.

[Cyranthus]

oh joy, like AIM needs more f-ing porn bots. :rolleyes:

[ThunderRiver]

I just want to write some less resource intensive AIM client that can run on Windows 98 with PII 200 Mhz and a 32 Mb of RAM

[SULAX50]

Wow, this is huge. I didn't realize the kit was going to be extended to the point of aiding people create custom clients. This should be REALLY interesting to follow, especially given some of the amateur talent out there.

Yeah keeping the wraps on this has taken alot of energy. All the complaining that people have had with Triton can now theoretically go away. YOU can write an ad free client that implements Direct IM that will have the same connect behavior as AIM 5.x, aka no more validating hangs. But the best part is that you will be able to access some really neat features coming out over the next few weeks. If you don't feel like writing the client yourself, or don't know how to get started, in the SDK (Software Developement Kit) I have included an MFC based IM client I wrote, that does DIM/Audio/Video/IM/Profiles/Away Messaging. The code is open source and will build out of the box. You can copy that code, or dissect it. The MFC Client uses about 8,000K of memory and runs in a single process. It is built using standard ATL and will exit its process when you tell it to. I hope it inspires some pretty neat stuff.

[Tiger.Girl]

oh joy, like AIM needs more f-ing porn bots. :rolleyes:

Maybe now there can be new creative ways to block such things.

[SULAX50]

Well, Greg says multi-headed clients won't be doable so I'm not sure. As for the SDK, it provides a layout and a means of accessing the client and the network using officially endorsed AOL means. This will mean that any client using this kit, made by AOL or not, will be legally allowed to access the network fully without fear of havign AOL shut them out like they did in Trillian's earlier days. On top of that, there is now a documented means of creating plugins for Triton. That's right.....Triton is the first first party client to have official plugin access.

You nailed it. This API can be implemented for WIN98 boxes. Basically once you have access to the interface IAccSession, you can spawn whatever you want. Only 4 hours to go before you can see what I am talking about. We have included open source examples for plugins as well including the JAMS source code. This is the start of a new day at AOL toward instant messaging. We hope all developers start using the "front door" access we are providing.

[Mike Mayer]

developer.aim.com not working for me

Anyone else having luck?

--cancel that: I apparently need to learn how to read.

[AcdShdw]

developer.aim.com not working for me

Anyone else having luck?

--cancel that: I apparently need to learn how to read.

doesnt work either for me, but this also will cause alot of exploites =\

[Veedems Veteran]

doesnt work either for me, but this also will cause alot of exploites =\

Not neccessarily. I'm sure they may be a flaw here or there, but properly written code won't give room for exploits.

[SULAX50]

oh joy, like AIM needs more f-ing porn bots. :rolleyes:

You don't think we would release this without thinking about how to prevent "porn bots." We have built in a key system, much like what Google has with their API, along with some other security things that I am not allowed to discuss. Basically, the last thing I want is for AIM to turn into a bloody porno fest. This is about allowing people to write their own IM applications and plugins. Even the custom clients will be able to support plugins. Any client that uses the AIM API will be able to support plugins so technically all AIM API enabled apps are first class apps for AIM plugins. For example, the MFC client I wrote, is what Justin and I used to test our JAMS code.

[a-dawg]

Does this mean GAIM will get alot better?

[Veedems Veteran]

Does this mean GAIM will get alot better?

the restriction on multi-headed clients probably means no. While they are giving a lot to the community with this, AOL still has a business to run and since they are focusing on AIM Triton as a central part of this new direction, giving people code that only makes using other networks along side AOL's is a little counterintuitive to their goals.

[EugeneE3RD]

the restriction on multi-headed clients probably means no. While they are giving a lot to the community with this, AOL still has a business to run and since they are focusing on AIM Triton as a central part of this new direction, giving people code that only makes using other networks along side AOL's is a little counterintuitive to their goals.

I gotta agree. Even though AOL was released Open Aim, their ban on multi-head clients such as Trillian hurts Open AIM.

[Veedems Veteran]

I gotta agree. Even though AOL was released Open Aim, their ban on multi-head clients such as Trillian hurts Open AIM.

It only hurts it if people expect it to suddenly appear in Trillian. We have to be realistic here. I've used Miranda and Trillian and always wind up back at the three first party clients. Some people want the convenience of one app for it all, and that's fine, but they have to expec trade offs just like I trade off the convenience for further functionality.

[Xabora]

Sweet... now I have something to toy with in VB.NET...

[SULAX50]

I gotta agree. Even though AOL was released Open Aim, their ban on multi-head clients such as Trillian hurts Open AIM.

Going through the "back door" like Trillian, while still available, and will be for the forseeable future, will not be able to take advantage of all the goodness that AIM has going forward. For example Trillian will not be able to handle plugins since they do not use the IM Engine. Our goal is to expand and enhance the AIM network, to continue to make it the best network with the best tools to develop on our network, but at the same time give as many options to users as they want. I always tell people who IM me, this is YOUR service, without you the user we would not have much of a network or a reason to ask for your input.

[migo]

Am I the only one who can't find the SDK download link?

[xxdesmus]

Wow this is incredible. I can't wait to see what people come up with, as has already been mentioned, there are some very talented people out there. :woot:

Will I give up Trillian though? No, I am just one of those people who prefer 1 app instead of 2.

[Code.Red]

Very cool! I'll have to open up VB.NET again and see what I can do with this. :D

[iwod]

This is good. In theory we could make a whole better IM using the AIM network.

One question that i asked millions of time and will ask again.

Since the AIM network can chat to ICQ network. Does that mean this Open AIM could in someway replace ICQ as well. ( Since ICQ is in desperate need of new Updated and modern client )