1 Steve Shapiro ENG 352-003 Prof Lipuma 11/9/08 Process Description How to Create an AIM Account on Windows XP Introduction: Thank you in your interest of creating an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) account. Today, millions of people use AIM to communicate with their friends and family across the world. This guide will teach you how to set-up your very own AIM account. Assumptions: User has a moderate level of skill with computers and the internet User is at least thirteen (13) years of age (Minimum age to set up an account) User has an active connection to the internet Requirements: Windows XP operating System A computer with mouse and keyboard An internet browser An internet connection Terms to Know: Internet browser Field Address Bar Drop Arrow Window Left-Click Mouse Image Screen name Web Page Instructions: 1. Assuming your computer is on; use your mouse to double left-click on your internet browser. A window should open up.
2 2. In the address bar of your internet browser, type in www.aim.com and press the enter button on your keyboard.
3. On the top right of the web page, you will see a gray box saying “Join the Fun Get a Screen Name,” click on the link labeled “Get a Screen Name.”
3 4. If it isn’t already, make sure the bubble to the left of “Create an Account” is filled.
5. Click the green button labeled “Continue”
4 6. In the field labeled “Desired Screen Name,” enter in the user name that you would like. This will be your screen name on AIM. 7. Left click in the field labeled “Password” and enter a desired password 8. Repeat step 7 for “Re-Type Password” 9. Left click again in the field labeled “Display Name” and enter in the name that you would wish people to see.
5 8. Scroll down to the section labeled “Account Security Section,” click the drop arrow and left click on the question catered towards your preference.
6 9. In the field labeled “Answer,” enter in the answer to the question. 10. Repeat step 11 in “Re-type your answer” 11. In the section labeled “Birth Date,” left click on the drop arrows and enter in your birth date. 12. Left click on the bubble that caters to your gender in the gender section. 13. Left click on the drop arrow labeled “Country” and select the country you live in. 14. Enter in your 5-digit zip code in the field labeled “Zip Code.”
7 15. With your mouse, scroll down until you see a section labeled “Security Check”. 16. In the section labeled “Security Check,” you will see an image with letters and numbers, enter in these exact numbers and letters in the order they appear inside the field labeled “Code in Image.” 17. If you can see the characters in the image, and after you correctly enter the characters in the image, click the green button labeled “Submit” and skip to step 19. 18. If you cannot see the image, click on the link labeled “Can’t see this image?” and a new picture will appear, then go back to step 17.
19. If you get a screen saying “Congratulations! Your Screen Name is: (Your Screen Name will appear here), your screen name is successfully created. You may now close your internet browser and log into AIM.
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Result Congratulations on the creation of your AIM account! You are now ready to download the AIM client from www.aim.com or log onto AIM express to talk to millions of people! If you have any issues, questions, or concerns, call 1-800-AIM-HELP.