Dubbed AIM ET, the robust Instant Messaging Client is AOL"s response to the requests of the users who are tired of "bloat". The new lightweight AIM client has only the most basic instant messaging functionality. It uses few system resources but is still in a prototype form and it is unclear how a possible official release will be branded. The software is available from AOL"s Greenhouse site. Oh, I forgot to mention: no advertising.
"This is really the future of AOL: light, fast, free products that complement our bigger, more feature-rich products", says Netscape.com head Jason Calacanis.