The added benefit here is that Skype has much more functionality than AIM, particularly in the peer to peer and group calling areas. The setup is not dissimilar to AIM’s, and chances are that the majority of AIM contacts already have a Skype account. For users looking to replicate this experience then Skype is a logical choice. If that’s all that a user uses their messaging program for, then AIM was an excellent choice, as it focused mainly on its desktop client over the years. Many AIM users remained with the program over the years because of their reliance on personal IM on their home computer. On the basis of that they will be able to make the right choice for their future messaging. In order to make the best choice it’s important for users to reflect on what they value most in a messaging program in terms of features, functionality and security. This sounds like a simple decision, but given the plethora of options out there, the majority of which didn’t exist two decades ago when AIM came on the market, the choice can seem intimidating. In the short term, millions of current AIM users are left with a choice as to which messaging program to switch to.
