AIM Urls - easy way to show if user is signed on to AOL Instant Messanger

Just ran across something interesting that I thought I would share.

AIM URL's allow you to create a link that when clicked, will open a AIM chat window to the user, users, or chat room you specify. The articles below explain in more detail, but the basic format of the URL to start a chat is:


Even more simple and cool, AOL has set up an image that you can reference that will show if a user is logged in or not. If the user is logged in, the img url will return a AOL running man icon. If the user is not logged in, it returns a transparent gif. The following is an example of a link that will show an AOL icon if the user is logged in, and if clicked, will start a AIM chat with that user. (replace aol-screen-name with the user's AIM screename)



You can also do other things, like start a chat room with everyone that's currently on your site, or add a user to the buddy list. The following provides more detailed info from AOL.

http://ftp.newaol.com/aimgen/106729/WebAdvantageKit.pdf

Another article on the topic.

http://www.cconvergence.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=8701355

i like this, but how would i integrate that link into my site for each user?

for instance, the user pages that show details for each user could have an icon that you click on if to chat if that user is online. Or login menus could show the clickable icon for users that are logged in. If by how, you mean examples of code for use on e107, I haven't any code yet. You'll have to figure it out or wait.