This file contains information on
* Running AOL Instant Messenger
* Configuration
* Proxies
* Replacing Sounds and Images
* Unsupported Configuration Options


RUNNING AOL INSTANT MESSENGER
===============================================================================
The simplest way to run AOL Instant Messenger is to just use the aim
script file included with the distribution.  This will take care of
autodecting where java is installed on your machine, and running with
the correct command.  If the aim script doesn't work on your machine,
you have two options.  Remember you must be using a 1.1.x version of
the JDK or JRE.  Also if you're running on an X Terminal, see the BUGS
file.

The simplest is to use the jre command.  However jre only comes with
JDK or JRE 1.1.2 or higher.  From the aim directory just type
   jre -cp AIM.jar main.Oscar
   
If you are using an older version of JDK 1.1.x, or the jre command doesn't
seem to work on your computer, you can use the java command.  The
problem with the java command is you have to know where java is
installed on your machine.  An example for UNIX users follows.

   java -classpath AIM.jar:/javainstalledhere/lib/classes.zip:/javainstalled
         here/lib/classes main.Oscar

Example for PC users follows.  Notice semicolons are used to separate the items
rather then colons.

   java -classpath AIM.jar;c:\javainstalledhere\lib\classes.zip;c:\javainstalled
         here\lib\classes main.Oscar

If you are behind a firewall or proxy you maybe need to change the
Login section of the Setup Tool.  The Instant Messenger servers
are running on ALL ports, so feel free to change it to whatever
is required.  We default to 5190 since that is the port the AOL Service
uses, and most firewalls have already unblocked that port.  You may
want to try port 21 (ftp), 23 (telnet), 25 (mail), 443 (ssl), 6000 (X) if 
you are behind a firewall, since these are sometimes not blocked.

CONFIGURATION FILES
===============================================================================
The first time you startup AOL Instant Messenger, a .aim directory is
created in your home directory.  Initially two files are placed in
this directory, AIM.cfg and Info.sig.  Info.sig contains your
"Signature", the information that is provided when another AOL
Instant Messenger does a Get Info on you.  The AIM.cfg contains 
all the configuration options for AOL Instant Messenger, some
of which are explained in this file. Your configuration directory can 
also be set with the -config option.  Use -help for a listing of other 
possible aim options.

Info.sig:
   This file contains your signature in HTML format.  The best way to edit
   your signature is to use the Setup option of aim.

AIM.cfg:
   This is the configuration file used to set the options and lists within
   AOL Instant Messenger.  It is best not to edit this file by hand, as
   doing so may corrupt your configuration if you are not careful.

PROXIES
===============================================================================
Currently we support two different types of proxies, SOCKS V4 and
SSL.  A SSL proxy is any proxy that understands the CONNECT method,
as some web proxy servers do.  We have designed AOL Instant Messenger 
so it will be easy to add support for other proxies.  If you would like 
more information, or are interested in adding support for a new proxy, 
please look at "http://www.aim.aol.com/javadev/".

To setup AOL Instant Messenger to use a proxy.  First proceed
to the setup area.  Select the Login settings group from the left
hand side list.  Next, select the Proxy folder tab.  Finally
turn on the "Use a proxy" checkbox, and select the proxy you
want to use.  A fourth folder tab should appear, allow further
configuration of the proxy you selected.

Currently we know of two proxies that support the CONNECT method, squid, 
and Netscape's Proxy Server.  There is also a patch ftp CERN's httpd to 
add support.  For more information see http://ds.internic.net/internet-drafts/
and look for draft-luotonen-sll.

NOTE:
The SSL Proxy may require that you change the port Instant Messenger
tries to use to connect to the servers from 5190 to 443.

REPLACING SOUNDS AND IMAGES
===============================================================================
It is possible to replace the sounds and images used by AOL Instant
Messenger by creating what is known as a UIPack.  For more
informatation see the AIM Java Dev pages at http://www.aim.aol.com/javadev/

To turn ALL sounds off, use the -nosound command line option.

UNSUPPORTED CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
===============================================================================
As we add new features to AOL Instant Messenger we often end up
creating temporary test configuration options.  There is no user
interface to control these options, and they must be set in
the configuration file manually.  Eventually, after enough testing, 
these configuration options are given a user interface and real 
names.

The unsupported config options live in the Debug group.  If you
don't have a Debug section in your AIM.cfg, you will need
to create one.  For example you might place the following 3 lines
at the end of your AIM.cfg to control the default loglevel so it
prints out full logging.

Debug {
  loglevel 10
}

The current unsupported config options are:

loglevel <num>    - The same as the command line "-loglevel".  This option
                    allows you to specify how much logging takes place.
