FLAIM

FLAIM is a rich browser-based instant messaging application using the Adobe Flex platform.

This allows it to be fast and feature-packed, whilst remaining easily accessible and light-weight, less than a 100KB download in most cases!

FLAIM remains in an early release state, and is undergoing rapid updates, so please be sure to check this page regularly for the latest news.

8/5/2008 - Please note that FLAIM has a new home, this site may no longer be entirely up to date, please update your bookmarks, etc and be sure to check the new page for news.

History:

0.80 - 6/5/2008 ( Run now )
  • Major update, feature additions, many smaller fixes.
  • FLAIM detection update - Auto-detection has been fixed, so FLAIM will now automatically notify you when one of your buddys is using FLAIM also, opening up a range of exclusive new features.
  • Preferences menu expanded for additional settings and new features.
  • [ New! ] FLAIM Encrypted IM - Messages with your buddies who are also using FLAIM can now be encrypted for additional security, to stop anyone in between from listening in on your conversations. Everything will happen ‘behind the scenes’, simply enable the option from the preferences menu.
  • [ New! ] FLAIM Theme Colour-shifting - FLAIM can now analyse the theme you are using and incoming messages to ensure that they will be readable, and automatically adjust them if not. (White theme and buddy sends white text, etc.) Colours may not be a perfect match to those your buddy intends, but FLAIM will attempt a ‘best suitable’ match, and learn from your own usage which colours you prefer, when deciding which colour to replace with.
  • [ New! ] FLAIM Local Windows - Links sent by your buddies can now be automatically analysed, and media files displayed in a new FLAIM window without having to open a browser or leave the conversation. (Media range to be expanded soon!)
  • [ New! ] FLAIM Statistics - FLAIM will now collect basic statistics along with your usage preferences, and use them to automatically adjust themes, or even just for fun, to check out how much you’ve been online. (Loyal regular users might want to keep an eye out for a special bonus!)
  • Typing status - AIM Typing Status is now fully implemented, allowing users of both FLAIM and official AOL clients to recognise each other’s IM typing updates.
  • New window manager - The new window manager is now in place, which should lead to dramatic performance increases on slower systems, improved support for small/low-resolution screens, smoother updates, and allow simpler expansion in future.
    • 0.70 - 23/4/2008
    Server-side settings: preferences are now saved on the server for each user and automatically loaded on login.
    0.66 - 23/4/2008
    Bugfix update, several minor interface and theming tweaks, performance improvements
    0.65 - 21/4/2008
    • Minor update, several minor interface and theming tweaks
    • Added basic settings dialog for access to preferences
    • Added internationalisation to interface (English, Japanese, and Chinese for now)
    • Improved support for scaling to small/low-resolution displays
    0.64 - 20/4/2008
    • Bugfix release, resolves issues with buddy list on repeated login, and several minor interface and embedded object bugs
    • Resolved issues with images not loading on some systems
    • Added a quick example of skinning support, just so there’d be something new to play with. Just click the icon in the lower left to try it out.
    0.60 - 20/4/2008
    • Sound! Muted by default, click the icon in the corner to toggle. (”Borrowed” from official AIM for authenticity, let me know if anybody minds.)
    • Re-enabled resizable chat windows (Tabs will be back soon!)
    • Improved support for buddy updates (Login/logout, display name, etc.)
    • New icon set for more readable buddy list
    • Several bugfixes and minor interface tweaks
    0.55 - 19/4/2008
    Initial public release

Features:

  • Full AIM compatible login and instant messaging
  • Lightweight, browser-based application interface
  • Windowed and tabbed messages, groupable ( TABS currently disabled for major update )
  • FLAIM buddy detection for support for some unique new features
  • Effortlessly configurable, skinnable GUI for personalization and theming
  • (Coming soon!) Off-browser Adobe AIR-based client for local use
  • (Coming soon!) Secure remote storage of preferences and history

Potential Uses:

FLAIM allows access to AIM messaging in many cases where it may not otherwise be available, by being accessible through any browser that supports Flash. It also provides a great lightweight, high-performance alternative to the default AOL client for regular usage, and may support features unavailable in other clients.

System Requirements:

  • Web Browser (MSIE7, Firefox 2, Opera 9, Safari 3 or newer recommended)
  • Adobe Flash Plugin (9.0.115+ recommended)
  • Nothing more!

Configuration:

FLAIM can be configured using a simple settings dialog, just click on “Settings” to access it. (More detailed instructions will be posted here soon…)

FAQ:

What does the name stand for?
FLex-based AIM client? FLash-AIM? FLAsh-based Instant Messenger? Fun, Ludicrously Awesome Instant Messenger? Take your pick.
Why doesn’t it support (feature)?
Features are being added to FLAIM at a pretty solid rate, and full support for AIM is planned. It is however still very much an ongoing process and it may be some time before some of them are implemented. Please check back regularly for updates, or if you have any suggestions or ideas, you’re always welcome to leave a comment on the documentation, these will be checked regularly.
Why did it take so long to load?
FLAIM makes use of the Adobe Flex library to manage components of its interface. Newer versions (9.0.115+) of the Flash plugin will cache this library, so it only needs to be loaded once but if you have never visited a Flex-based site before, it will need to load the first time. (The library is around 500KB)