1. Open web browser, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Netscape Navigator.

2. Find the address bar at the top of the screen. (If there is no address bar, right click at the top of the screen and left click on Navigation tool bar.) Type www.aim.com and hit enter.

3. At the top of the screen that opens, put your arrow over the download box. Choose your computer type, most likely Windows or Mac. Click on AIM for your computer type.

4. On the right side of the screen, click on the box that says "New Users Click Here." Fill in your desired name that you would like to be seen as. As a matter of privacy, you may choose a name that isn't yours, but has colors and numbers in it. Fill in your birth date, gender, country, zip code and alternate email address. At the Last Step: Security Check, type the letters you see in the box. Click Submit.

5. You may have to try different screen names. When you decide on a screen name write it down. When the "Congratulations" page comes up. Click Continue. When the next page comes up, choose your computer, again, Windows or Macintosh. Choose the option "Save to disc."

6. Go to the desktop, and double click Install_AIM.exe. Click on Yes to agree with AIM terms of service. On the next screen click yes. You do not need AOL Explorer or AIM toolbar, so you may unclick those. Click next.

7. Choose the I'm permanently connected through the lan. Click next. Type in your zip code. You do not need the options on the next page, so unclick the three options. Click next. The Install may take a few minutes.

8. Type the screen name you just chose into the window that comes up. Unclick save password and sign on at startup for shared computers.

9. When the Buddy List window comes up, click Buddy List setup. At the bottom click add a buddy. Type  OutatBGSU and click enter. Click return to buddy list. Double click on OutatBGSU. Type Hello into the lower box and hit enter. OutatBGSU will then discuss with you how to join the Alias Discussion Group.