Things about AIM that annoy me

This ranting is about people who use the AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) service.   This can also apply to all the other ones, but it's not intended to since parts of this rant have to do with AIM features that I don't know about (if they exist) on other instant messenger services.

1.  AIM is a CHATTING program.  Don't come on, then put an away message on only to let it stay there the entire time.  It defeats the purpose of the program.   If you're waiting for one specific person to come one and don't want to talk to others, just temporarily block all users except the one(s) you want to hear from.  A block will prevent said blocked users from even seeing if you're online.

2.  Continued from point 1:  Some people have cable modems, and therefore, always connected, and keep the computer on all the time, and put the away message up when they are not at the computer.  This is fine in theory.  However, these people keep their computer on for a week or more at a time.  THIS ISN'T THE BEST IDEA.   While computers are designed to be able to stay on for long periods of time, it's a good idea to turn it off now and then.  You never know when an unexpected power outage or power surge could occur, and fry your machine.  TRUST ME.  It has happened to me.  While You take this risk everytime you use the computer, it's MUCH less likely to happen if the computer is only on when you need it.

3.  TYPE NORMAL!  I'm sick of all the stupid shortcuts.  The ones I accept are LOL, BRB, and GTG (Laughing out Loud, Be Right Back, and Got to Go, respectively), but nothing else.  I don't tolerate include, but not limited to: U (you), Y (why), R (are), B (be) 4 (for) EVA (ever), and others along those lines.  I admit I used to use all these shortcuts, but I was like 12, and I'm not childish anymore.   Using all those shortcuts is not only childish and lame, it's stupid and lazy too.   Grow up.  You continue to take English lessons through grade school...PUT IT TO USE.  Chat speak is NOT a language.  English IS. 

4.  If you don't intend to talk to anyone, DON'T LOG IN!  IF you have it set up to log on when you connect to the internet (or turn on the computer), simply sign off, or set the computer/program to only start manually.   Simple as that.  You can always re-open up the program if you want to talk.

5.  People who have like 50 people on their list.  Who Talks to this many people?  Come on!  Clean out your list every now and then.  You don't need to put every Tom, Dick, and Harry on your buddy list.

6.  Don't change your profile every week to send shout outs to friends.  Who reads a profile more than once in a great while?

7.  People who change their screen name ALL the time.  WHY?  I can understand after LONG periods of time or to prevent stalking or something, but some people change them CONSTANTLY.  Do you get THAT tired of your screen names THAT quickly?   Pick a name, and STICK WITH IT.  I have used the Alias TakariFreak for as long as 4 years now.  I have since gotten tired of the name, but why bother changing it?   Thats who everyone knows me as!  Besides, isn't switching your alias and informing your contacts a pain in the ass?