IMing ??

[Adamdc]

ImaNihilist, I agree with you completely. Parents are too busy to keep an eye on their children's behavior and that's all their is to it!

Just to summarize, I shouldn't be concerned with any spyware or malware if I use GAIM or meebo and if I run scans regularly. Correct??

[Adamdc]

Question about meebo----on the meebo page there are options to log onto AIM, Yahoo, Meebo, etc. If I sign on and get a 'meebo' name and password, will I be able to communicate with AIM users?

As it stands now, I have an AIM name and password. Are you guys suggesting that I use the AIM name but log onto 'AIM' through the meebo website?

Bottom line is, I want my son to be able to communicate with his buddies who are all AIM users.

Sorry to keep up with this.

[PCJ]

The easiest thing is probably to register for an AIM account on AOL's site but never download their dreadful software.
Meebo is AJAX-based, right? That's way too bothersome IMO, I would recommend GAIM. It's simple and safe.

And yes, I agree, not letting 10 year olds IM because of "internet predators" is ridiculous. Any kid that is a victim to something like that is so at his/her own doing.

[vertices]

On a side note, the most recent Dateline busting those guys going after 13 year old girls was in Flagler Beach, FL. That's in my county about 10 minutes away. How about that for publicity for a small town.

[ImaNihilist]

Question about meebo----on the meebo page there are options to log onto AIM, Yahoo, Meebo, etc. If I sign on and get a 'meebo' name and password, will I be able to communicate with AIM users?

As it stands now, I have an AIM name and password. Are you guys suggesting that I use the AIM name but log onto 'AIM' through the meebo website?

Bottom line is, I want my son to be able to communicate with his buddies who are all AIM users.

Sorry to keep up with this.

You can sign into Meebo with a standard AIM username and password. The "Meebo" username and password is if you can to consolidate multiple accounts and log in with a single password, or you want access to features like chat logging.

[sandeep]

Indeed if you've already got an AIM account setup, you don't need a meebo or anything else. Just log in with meebo, gaim, AIM express, or whatever else.

They all connect to the same AIM network. Regardless of what software his friend's are using to connect, as long as they are using AIM logins, they will be able to communicate with each other.

[spamjedi]

I havent used IMs since college, even then it wasn't too extensive. What do you guys use it for now? Just social?

[DMan82]

IM is retarded. I use this thing called a cell phone.

-Douglas

[Recon]

IM is retarded. I use this thing called a cell phone.

-Douglas

For my son, 6 days a week of football in the fall, and 4 days a week of wrestling in the winter, 3 days a week of baseball in the spring...and summer unless its raining get your *** outside....

[Thermo]

Tell him that he can IM all he wants. But that every IM will be logged and if appropriate, forwarded to the authorities.

Then when he complains about the violation of his privacy, suggest that he go out and get his own home, his own internet, and his own computer to hook up with. Oh and lets not forget his own job to pay for it all.

[Ashpool]

I havent used IMs since college, even then it wasn't too extensive. What do you guys use it for now? Just social?

It's easier and more convenient than a cell phone.

Then again it's not like I talk much to begin with.

[DJBeanPole17]

Dude limited to 10 minute sof IM'ing a night? Thats.... oof! IMing isn't THAT bad is it? I barely do it anymore, but I use Trillian and it helps me stay in touch w/ some friends that I can't contact immediately.

[Nick_B]

IM is retarded. I use this thing called a cell phone.

-Douglas

I have a cell, too, but there are different solutions for different situations. Sure, if I'm talking in real-time to somebody (in an IM sense, I reply as soon as I get a text and vice-versa), I'll call them on the phone (provided they are somewhere they can talk on a phone and I am as well). But (and this is my generally IM useage), if I'm sitting at my computer, doing homework (which is frequent, I'll be doing LaTeX or working in Mathematica or the like) I'll have IM windows with a couple people open. Maybe one for a social distraction and another one with somebody working on the same homework to discuss problems or whatever. Typical rate of messages? Maybe one every 5-10 minutes. I don't see how a cellphone is particularly useful for that.