NINA and Escargot #announcements — August 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM (EST) [tonyshowoff]

This week is some updates and fixes, a lot to prepare for a new service (sneak peak below) we're launching probably next week, it's a smaller one but certainly a throw back, but unless you're a supporter, you'll have to wait for more details.

Speaking of supporters, we still need to raise $1,180 to meet our fundraising goal and it's important because we've really got to get it by the end of the month. So, help out if you can: https://nina.chat/donate/ rewards start at $2 and every dollar counts. If you can't then spread the word about all of our services and whatever else you like about us.

Updates:
• Community: A new and improved version of the community introduction is now on the wiki and is highly suggested reading for all new users: https://wiki.nina.chat/wiki/Introduction
• Account: You can now more easily "recruit" new users to the network. It's really easy, just add /?r=yourusername to the end of nina.chat or escargot.chat when linking to someone else, if they register later, you'll be marked as their recruiter. We'll do some cool stuff with this soon, but for now you can just see how well your promotion is going. Learn more by logging into your account and going to "Recruiting" under "Community".
• Account: Speaking of Community, we also have a rudimentary profiles with searching. We have replaced the #contacts channel with https://nina.chat/contacts/ and https://escargot.chat/contacts/. You can fill out this information by going to "Profile" under "Community" in your account. It's still in very early stages and is fairly rudimentary with more features to come soon.

Fixes:
• WebAPI: Crashing issue caused by invalid URL request now fixed (reported in detail by supporter loganh4005)
• Account: Invalid URLs on registration page fixed
• Account: Legacy password being reset during account login now fixed (reported by europa). Keep in mind if your account had this issue, it will reset one final time the next time you login, just change it back.

What about the new service: Following the post, there are 2 screenshots. The first is a partial SS of the recruiting page. The next screenshot, however, is quite the throwback...

NINA Napster was first officially announced in #supporters-general (NINA Discord) on August 12th. I've been anxiously awaiting for this moment to post about it! If you're not a Supporter yet, check their donate link above for more info!

If you have ever made an attempt to gather these yourself, you'd know there was a considerable amount of beta versions released. Referencing the NINA AIM clients wiki, there's just under 100 versions of AIM 1.0 - 5.9 for Windows (US)!

I woke up this morning with this idea bouncing around in my head like the old 3D Text and Flower Box screen savers. I figured, hey! I should make a post while I'm thinking about it. My focus today is on a specific version, 4.0. I have spent several hours over the years searching old archives for the US version of AIM 4.0. I have come very close. As close as a working download link but the source file being corrupted/incomplete. I remember a time when I had access to the AOL-Files.com FTP server that housed their clients collection... I only had a 56K connection at the time and very limited hard drive space (approx. 500 MB!), so I didn't download a backup copy... really regretting that. All I have is this text of the list:

Directory of d:\aol-files\clients.aol-files.com\public_html\aim\win

.                                 <DIR>   2001-08-10  23:52
..                                <DIR>   2001-08-10  23:52
AIM4.1.2090.jp.exe                2314536 2000-10-22  22:23
AIM1.75.574.exe                   1768973 2000-10-22  18:14
AIM1.8.924.gric.exe               1545728 2000-10-25  15:06
AIM2.0.1056.exe                   1758720 2000-10-25  12:05
AIM2.0.1475.fr.exe                1743360 2000-10-22  21:51
AIM2.0.912.exe                    1693184 2000-10-25  11:51
AIM2.0.997.exe                    1693696 2000-10-25  12:13
AIM2.01.1107.exe                  1775104 2000-10-23   1:32
AIM2.1.1236.exe                   1798144 1999-12-22   4:21
AIM2.1.1271.exe                   1943040 2000-10-23   1:33
AIM2.5.1336.exe                   2073600 2000-10-23   1:10
AIM3.5.1534.exe                   2041856 2000-10-23   2:02
AIM3.5.1598.exe                   1853440 2000-10-23   2:03
AIM3.5.1635.exe                   1873920 2000-10-23   2:02
AIM3.5.1670.exe                   1846784 2000-10-23   2:40
AIM3.5.1713.exe                   1854464 2000-10-23   2:43
AIM3.5.1808.exe                   1982464 2000-10-23   2:45
AIM3.5.1856.exe                   2019840 2000-10-23   2:46
AIM3.5.1900.exe                   2039296 2000-10-23   2:46
AIM4.0.1926.exe                   2135040 2000-10-23  12:11
AIM4.0.1904.fr.exe                2237224 2000-10-22  22:11
AIM4.0.1904.exe                   2095104 2000-10-22  20:14
AIM4.0.1957.exe                   2114048 2000-10-23  12:13
AIM4.1.2010.eln.exe               2635776 2000-10-24  14:41
AIM4.1.2050.fr.exe                2316072 2000-10-22  22:01
AIM4.1.2057.exe                   2206048 2000-10-23  12:40
AIM4.1.2074.exe                   2206560 2000-10-23  12:40
AIM4.0.2000.exe                   2275112 2000-10-23  12:14
AIM4.2.2144.exe                   2358112 2000-10-23  16:33

I have highlighted the clients not known to be found. There's quite a bit of early versions missing.

If you or anyone you know might have this or any collection of AIM clients (not already found on the NINA wiki), please contact me!

Other Missing AIM Versions Known to Have Existed

AIM 3.5.1886
AIM 4.1.2031
AIM 4.2.2107
AIM 4.2.2110
AIM 4.2.2135
AIM 4.8.2614

I have updated the Clients page with a more organized Most Wanted list!

Yep! AOL still offered dial-up internet service. I'd say I can't believe it, but I was well aware; haha. The fact the service was still being offered was what really surprised me. After 34 years, it is finally coming to an end. :( Sunset date is set for Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

https://help.aol.com/articles/dial-up-internet-to-be-discontinued

Dial-up Internet to be discontinued

AOL routinely evaluates its products and services and has decided to discontinue Dial-up Internet. This service will no longer be available in AOL plans. As a result, on September 30, 2025 this service and the associated software, the AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser, which are optimized for older operating systems and dial-up internet connections, will be discontinued.

This change will not affect any other benefits in your AOL plan, which you can access any time on your AOL plan dashboard. To manage or cancel your account, visit MyAccount.

For more information or if you have questions about your account, call:

    U.S. - 1-888-265-5555
    Canada - 1-888-265-4357

AOL CDs: Supposedly, you can still call that 888 number and order an AOL CD. I haven't tried, so if you do, kindly share with us if it is still free and if you were able to order one!

What's left? MSN, NetZero, Juno, and Dialup 4 Less are the largest dial-up providers left...