AIM Question

[johnjohn320]

Probably a long shot, but what the hay:

We have DSL now, so I'd like to leave Aol Instant Messenger on pretty much on the time (why not? if someone's trying to get ahold of me I can catch it when I come back). Problem is, we have WinXP (family computer), and so everyone has their own "name" to click on when the computer boots up. Is there any way at all to have AIM still on and "away", receiving messages, while my name isn't logged on in WinXP? For instance, my dad can be using the computer under his name, but when I come back and log in under my name, AIM has still been receiving messages?

Regardless of this, does AIM still receive messages when the computer "sleeps"? (Y'know, you leave it for 20 mins or something and then a screen saver comes on, then it just sleeps?)

 

[Eli]

Yes, it doesen't matter if the screensaver is on, you will still recieve messages.

I'm not sure how you could deal with different users logging on/off though.

You could get Yahoo Instant Messenger or ICQ, that way people can leave you offline messages.

 

[Yeeny]

just, when you log off, go to switch user, not log off, and everything of yours will still remain running under your name. then your dad or whoever can login to their own name.

 

[BeauJangles]

The new AIM automatically puts up an away message when you "fast switch" to another user.

 

[johnjohn320]

Right, but doesn't the "fast switch" slow down the computer/internet for whoever else is trying to use it?

 

[Furyline]

When you fast switch, everything that the switched off user is running, stays running. So this will slow down your computer if you have too many programs left open. If it's just an IM program, I don't think it would be that big of a deal.

 

[CTho9305]

not really. If you're running something intensive, yes (e.g. SETI at a high priority). if its just stuff like AIM/ICQ, they won't notice unless you are SERIOUSLY low on RAM.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: CTho9305
not really. If you're running something intensive, yes (e.g. SETI at a high priority). if its just stuff like AIM/ICQ, they won't notice unless you are SERIOUSLY low on RAM.

Oh, I was thinking more in terms of the internet speed. I thought it would divide our connection bandwidth between the users....ok whatever...

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

Originally posted by: CTho9305
not really. If you're running something intensive, yes (e.g. SETI at a high priority). if its just stuff like AIM/ICQ, they won't notice unless you are SERIOUSLY low on RAM.

Oh, I was thinking more in terms of the internet speed. I thought it would divide our connection bandwidth between the users....ok whatever...

AIM takes up hardly any bandwidth. If you leave stuff downloading, that will, but as long as you have a decently fast machine and plenty of RAM just tell your family to fast switch.

 

[johnjohn320]

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: johnjohn320

Originally posted by: CTho9305
not really. If you're running something intensive, yes (e.g. SETI at a high priority). if its just stuff like AIM/ICQ, they won't notice unless you are SERIOUSLY low on RAM.

Oh, I was thinking more in terms of the internet speed. I thought it would divide our connection bandwidth between the users....ok whatever...

AIM takes up hardly any bandwidth. If you leave stuff downloading, that will, but as long as you have a decently fast machine and plenty of RAM just tell your family to fast switch.

Yeah I know AIM doesn't....I just thought it divided the available bandwidth amongst the users...whatever I don't konw what I'm talking about.