Would it be a waste of my time?

[Ringr]

Hey guys,

I'm in a little web development pridicament. Please read fully on for my situation:

Okay, so I'm making this big website about Instant Messaging. In the AOL IM section I want to have a 'Buddy Icon' section with hundreds of Buddy Icons (which would take lots of time to setup). However, you might recall that in October AOL and Yahoo planned to merge IM clients for June 2006. This might create problems for my site if Buddy Icons are no longer useable (which I don't know if they will be on this AIM/YIM merging thing). Do you guys think that it would be a waste of my time to make a huge Buddy Icon section of my site *in case* if next June this whole AIM/YIM thing no longer supports Buddy Icons?
I've contacted AOL and asked them if Buddy Icons will be used in this merging thing but I haven't heard back.

Do you guys think I should do it - or should I not bother my time *in case* Buddy Icons end not being compatible on the AIM/YIM merged software in June?

Thank you so much for the advice in advance,
Andy

 

[Ringr]

Eh, does anyone have any advice on the issue?
AOL did get back to me but they didn't even answer my question. >_>

Their response:

Dear Andrew,

I understand that you want to know if your site will still be compatible after the merging of AIM and Yahoo Messenger.

You have written to the TechMail Department of AOL which answers technical concerns regarding the AOL software. I suggest that you refer to the Expressions Factory, a site dedicated to AOL's Expressions including the Buddy icons, to gain more information regarding your inquiry.

Here is the URL for Expressions Factory:
http://journals.aol.com/beexpressive/TheExpressionsFactory/entries/254

and

http://journals.aol.com/beexpressive/TheExpressionsFactory/

Thank you for taking the time to write to AOL. I hope that I have provided you with useful information regarding your concern.


Alphonse
AOL Customer Care Consultant

 

[Troubled1]

From my understanding of it they are just working on getting it so messages can be sent from any of the messengers to any others. The way I understand it AIM users will still use AIM,MSN will still use MSN and yahoo will still use yahoo. So I would say that your buddy Icons would still be useable.

It's a chance you will have to decide if you want to take.

 

[def1]

You should either wait til they merge or take the chance

I think they will keep the buddy icons. I dont see why they would take them off.

 

[LeetPCUser]

I would do it. I am pretty sure they will have it. Not only that many people use MSN and Trillian, which both run buddy icons. AIM has always had buddy icons and that is part of it's delight. There is no way they will get rid of it. I would definately make it and if you are worried you could always sell it in May...