# AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) flashing icon???

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 18, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032 "2006-02-18T00:11:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032/1 "2006-02-18T00:11:00Z")

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I have AIM running and it’s minimized to the systray.

At the bottom of the little yellow man, there’s something flashing. I did a screen capture and posted it here. What does it mean?

[Link](http://webpages.charter.net/strike300/AIM%20Icon.jpg)

Thanks for any help.

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**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032/2 "2006-02-18T01:53:42Z")

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> [@jasonh300](#):
>
> I have AIM running and it’s minimized to the systray.
> 
> At the bottom of the little yellow man, there’s something flashing. I did a screen capture and posted it here. What does it mean?
> 
> [Link](http://webpages.charter.net/strike300/AIM%20Icon.jpg)
> 
> Thanks for any help.

It looks like it means “You got mail!” Now I suppose you’re goning to tell me you don’t have an AOL account.

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**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032/3 "2006-02-18T02:59:36Z")

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No, I don’t have an AOL account, although I have it set to check my POP mail. But there’s no mail waiting.

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**Author:** ![Frosted\_Glass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frosted_glass/32/3926_2.png) [@Frosted\_Glass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosted_Glass)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032/4 "2006-02-18T03:09:02Z")

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If youre running aim triton then it might be notifying you of an IM. Even though it flashes the actual window tab at the bottom of the screen, I have seen that icon pop up when I get IMs too.

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032/5 "2006-02-18T04:00:33Z")

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Don’t forget too that you have AOL webmail now with AIM. [yes you do!](https://my.screenname.aol.com)

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**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aim-aol-instant-messenger-flashing-icon/345032/6 "2006-02-18T04:08:57Z")

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…and the email you just got is from AIM, helpfully telling you about how you have AOL email now. Been there, done that.