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One of the first tasks most students tackle right after moving in freshman year is setting up the computer.
Students plug in their Ethernet cords and are instantly able to familiarize themselves with Web Mail, Agora, and the class registration system.
Students' connections to the world is incomplete however until one program most every student uses on a regular basis is downloaded - AOL instant messenger, better known as AIM.
AIM has become a necessity for every college kid. Instead of rushing to the nearest post office to buy stamps for letters addressed to friends and family, students download this free service from AOL that allows them to create a buddy list they can then fill with their friend's screen names. The program allows interaction between people no matter in what state or country each party resides in.
Though e-mail allows people to stay in touch as well, AIM offers the unique ability to have an actual conversation - one that does not linger for hours or days like e-mail often can. It allows for immediate responses and can be easier, and sometimes cheaper, than picking up the phone.
Michael Crimmings, A&S '06, said AIM was a valuable means of communication for him while in England.
"I really liked having AIM while I was abroad," says Crimmings. "I was able to keep in touch with people who I couldn't afford to call."
As students rely on AIM to schedule lunch dates, figure out what class a friend is in, or catch up with someone who is abroad for the semester, most agree that there is a certain AIM etiquette users must learn.
Though certain behaviors bother some people more than others, students at Boston College agree that sometimes people converse on AIM in a way that, well, irks them.
While the AIM craze continues to grow on college campuses, users are gradually developing personalized beliefs about what determines proper usage of instant messages.
From the occasional user to the loyal AIM member, such etiquette must be learned and taken into consideration before engaging in conversation through AIM.
Many students voiced their disdain for those who forget to end conversations before leaving.
"I hate when people put up an away message without saying good-bye," said Chris Stanley, A&S '06.
Another major annoyance that students highlight is the use of abbreviations. The AIM Web site is actually equipped with an acronym dictionary that informs users of what certain acronyms and abbreviations mean.
Eliza Moulton, LSOE '06, believes that the use of abbreviations can get aggravating.
"I hate when people use AIM abbreviations like TTYL [talk to you later] or BRB [be right back] in regular conversation. That is really annoying," she said.
Christy Faller, A&S '06, has similar feelings about abbreviations.
"LOL [laugh out loud] is an entirely overused phrase. I find it very hard to believe that I could throw anyone into fits of audible laughter with every statement I make," he said.
Although there are many practical reasons students choose to download AIM, there is also one key underlying principle that inspires students to add the AIM icon to their desktop: it is a great way to procrastinate.
Current versions allow people to possess multiple screen names, create profiles, put up away messages, choose their own buddy icons, and select different sets of smiley faces to utilize during conversations.
Two of the most popular features, and the most addictive, are profiles and away messages.
As students pause in the middle of writing a paper, or relax after wrestling with a math problem for an hour, they may find themselves venturing onto AIM to check the profiles and away messages of their friends - most of which likely haven't changed since the last time they looked.
But since the use of AIM is a way for students to unwind, some argue that people should create more entertaining profiles and away messages.
Luis Berdeja, CSOM '05, is an avid AIM user and feels strongly about how these features should be used by others.
"I hate it when people don't make and/or update profiles. AIM is meant to entertain people and when you don't have good away messages, at least entertain me with your profile," said Berdeja.
Though some students said how irritating it can be when people give too much information in their away messages about their schedules, Berdeja is fascinated with such information.
"Some people hate it when others leave a detailed account of their day, but secretly, it's my favorite thing to read in away message," he said.
One pet peeve many students share is the use of AIM for serious conversations in lieu of having them face to face.
"AIM should not be used for anything serious because you can never tell the tone or meaning of what someone is saying. It can be totally taken the wrong way," said Francesca Ferrante, A&S '05.
Many others agree with Ferrante's point of view.
"It really bothers me when people have important conversations over IM. A lot of people have become so comfortable on IM that instead of talking about things in person they just type it. It's almost debilitating to their personal communication," said Dave Thayer, A&S '05.
Though some students believe AIM should only be used for light-hearted conversation and should not be the preferred medium for deep discussions, other students believe the opposite to be true.
"Sometimes it's easier to have conversations via AIM. It takes away the pressure from the situation so you can really concentrate on the communication aspect," said Berdeja.
"I just feel that on AIM people have fewer inhibitions and say things which they may not say if it was in person," said Brian Taylor, A&S '06.
These diverse students' thoughts show that it is important to be aware of how you talk to people on AIM, and one should also take note if your friends have any limits on what should be discussed through AIM so that messages aren't misconstrued.
Students also believe that understanding the difference between AIM and e-mail is crucial.
Many students have family or friends that just don't understand the differences
Ferrante gets really annoyed at her mother for using AIM like e-mail.
"She has no idea how to use AIM so she will write basically an entire e-mail on it and then try to send it to me. She doesn't understand that she should just use e-mail. That can be really annoying," said Ferrante.
Berdeja agrees that the misuse of AIM can get really aggravating. "I don't like when parents try to use AIM as if it were e-mail. They send you paragraphs at a time and then leave you waiting around while they type away."
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