Attached Link: AIM Buddy Locator

Our local news station ran a story last night that AIM is now adding a feature that will pinpoint your "buddies" on a map so that you can see where they are -- and so buddies can see where YOU are.

Of course, there ARE people in this world that will use this for not-so-nice purposes.

So a heads up to those who have kids that use AIM. Better talk to them about this feature and make sure that you know whether or not they are using it properly.

More info on the new feature is here ...

Another reason for me to not use AIM.  If I want people to know where I am I'll tell them myself.

Same here.... AND I don't know about the rest of you, but there are times I'd like to go somewhere with a friend who doesn't like someone else, or vice-versa. Lou.

*Of course, there ARE people in this world that will use this for not-so-nice purposes.

A little tin hat warning.... OT..
Danger!
Big brother is getting nearer and into our lives..   Our privacy is getting smaller and meaningless ..
They are feeding the Idea of allowable surveillance to our kids... soon if you just get near a cell phone you'll light up as a flashing bleep in someones screen....  Soon there will be no place to hide and feel private...

The Matrix has you...

end of message.......

LOL while that wasn't my purpose for the post, it does have sort of a Matrix/Orwellian feel to it, doesn't it?

LMAO

Thanks for the heads up. We dont use AIM, but Im sure it wont be long before all the other messengers follow suit :sad:

  For myself, I'm of the "Corporal Jones" persuasion... "If the Master Sergeant doesn't know yer name, you don't get 'volunteered' ".  If I *want * people to know where I am, I tell them... I like it that way. Lou.

Yep, I've avoided Instant Messengering for years now for reasons like this.  It's no one's business when I'm online, and I don't want just anyone knowing where I live.

This could get messy really soon.  Keep an eye on the news.

Another reason to keep really close eyes on your kids computer screens. 

Jeez, tell me that you can turn that option off, and that AOL made it clear (and simple) how to turn it off when announcing the new feature.

I've visited other sites (that shall remain namless), and they always want me to 'meet people in' and have the name of the nearest city. I don't tell them who or where I am, I think there's a way to resolve the DNS I'm coming from into a general location, so it's not as cut and dried as it may seem at first.

Pakled you mean to say LadyKara4U is not actually following me around the globe in a desparate attempt to meet and date me? I feel crushed :(

Instant Messenger's are the bane of the internet! Who wants popups every 10 seconds that you're online? When I'm at my computer I usually have something to do besides answer popup instant messages from everyone who feels they must PM me with every little detail of their day!

Lost, how is that much different than a phone? lol!
You can hide online status, and block people you don't like, which accually a phone company charges for :(  I use mainly msn, which asks before people can add you

And for the people who dis the new feature, I laugh, most any computer can already do exactly the same thing. The form of messenger means nothing, hell emails give the location it came from right on them. Oh dear I better quit using email! 

So ability has existed, only change is making it easier for "less edumicated" people to do it. To make it clear, tracing an IP to find a location is something that is about the level of "1st grade" to people who can program things to use on the net :)

how do ya trace an IP to a specific address? my guess is it's only possible with a subpoena, or if one is an employee of certain agencies that use extra-legal methods.

When you trace the IP (I only learned to do it down to a city, not like I had a use for this)  you can use tracert command at DOS prompt to do it, as well as other methods. If you know how to read the information anyways :) It won't say address in the form of what we write on letters to our family, but it's just another language.

For those who don't know, an IP address is basicly a phone number, and any online activity requires one. You can find an IP address as simply as caller ID works, then trace it to a place for as long as that computer remains online. I haven't looked at the feature for AIM, so do not know how closely  it narrows down the location, but the information already exists. It's just making it easier for all them unedumicated peeps :) That's in itself can be scary though lol

How many of us have a 4 year old that knows more about your comp than you do? :)