AIMutation is a computer program that adds features to AOL Instant Messenger version 5.x. It is free and open source software licensed under the GNU Public License.

Features

AIMutation creates more options for the customization of AIM, most of which were included before America Online decided to implement them into their official product. The most obvious and arguably the most used feature allows users to select or create custom skins. It also has support for transparent and translucent sections in the skins, and has a feature that allows the user to group together several windows into one called "tabbed windows". Further features include the ability to talk while away (before this was allowed in AIM), logging of conversations, pop-up windows detailing the status of buddies, "cloning" (the ability to be on more than one screen name at once by running multiple instances of the program), removal of advertisements, and customizable commands.

What makes AIMutation unique, however, is the ability for users to install plug-ins. With enough programming skill, it is even possible to create plug-ins. The plug-ins modify AIM's structure to do a variety of things, including tagging names to buddies' screen names and manipulating Winamp from the buddy list.

AIMutation is no longer being developed. Their site redirects you to Messenger:Mate, a commercial AIM (and MSN) add-on developed by one of the original developers of AIMutation. It has all the same features, plus many more and full support for AIM 5.9.

External link

AIMutation official site (Currently Offline)

Messenger:Mate (Aimutation Replacement)