As most of you have probably seen, there was an article in last week’s paper titled "Confessions of an AIM Addict" that says it was written by yours truly. Sorry to burst everyone’s bubble, but I didn’t write it and I’m not going to take credit for someone else’s work. However, since I keep getting asked about it, I figured I’d write my own opinion of AIM to clear up the confusion.

I’m from New York and as many of you know, that’s pretty far away. I would like to keep in touch with all of my friends, but there’s no way I’m going to call each and every one of them throughout the week. I’m your stereotypical college kid: poor. Jacking up the phone bill is not on my list of things to do. So what is a more efficient way to stay connected to my friends? The answer is simple: Instant Messenger. I hear a lot of older people knock it and say us "younguns" are consumed with our computers. Well fine, they can have it their way and then complain about overpriced phone bills and our money-conscious generation can have a grand old time doing it our way. We spend a small amount to talk to many people at the same time!

Now listen, I’m not encouraging you to lock yourself in your dorm and preach the wonders of AIM. Get out and get some sunshine! If you wanted the gorgeous complexion of a vampire, then why did you choose Elon?

I’m simply stating that there is nothing wrong with communicating over the computer rather than the phone. For the people you have just met and wish to know better, there is no easier way to say hello than just messaging a casual "hey" with the added plus of a smiley of your choice. Or perhaps it’s late at night and you leave an away message up. Your friends (that is, the brighter crayons in the box) can simply leave a message there instead calling you on the phone and possibly waking you or your roommate. Come on, you know you’ve all maliciously wanted to plot the death of that 3 a.m. caller at one time or another.

So if I leave an away message up while I’m sleeping, I don’t consider myself an addict per se. It’s nice when the homesick feeling starts to rise up and you wake up to messages of "I miss you!" or "Iu’m gfso durunk! I loive ouj!" because you know that your friends are thinking of you too.