Below is the code you'll need to generate the little running-man icon that appears if you're online with AOL Instant Messenger.
<a href="aim:goim?screenname=username&message=initialmessage">
<img border="0" align=absmiddle
src="http://big.oscar.aol.com/username?on_url=
http://www.aol.com:80/aim/gr/online.gif&off_url
=http://www.aol.com:80/aim/gr/offline.gif">
</a>
(If you copy the above code, be sure to remove any spaces within the tags that are caused by wrapping text.)
There are two variables you'll need to change:
username: That's the username you created with AOL Instant Messenger, or your preexisting AOL screen name.

initialmessage: That's the message you'll want to appear when people instant message you from your website. You might want to make it descriptive (i.e., "message from your website") so you know the message is coming from your website.

Spaces in the initialmessage must be denoted with a "+" sign. For example "message from your website" would be written "message+from+your+website."

Given the username "sparkzdtv" and the initial message "Are you there Dave?" this is what the code would look like:

<a href="aim:goim?screenname=sparkzdtv&message=Are+you+there+Dave?">
<img border="0" align=absmiddle src="http://big.oscar.aol.com/sparkzdtv?on_url=
http://www.aol.com:80/aim/gr/online.gif&off_url=
http://www.aol.com:80/aim/gr/offline.gif">
</a>
(If you copy the above code, be sure to remove any spaces within the tags that are caused by wrapping text.)
For the indicator to work, you must be online running AOL Instant Messenger. When a visitor clicks on the little running man, it opens the instant message dialog with your initial message.

Note: This indicator is very much in beta stages. It's part of a much greater community building plan that AOL's got in the works. Ideally, you're supposed to agree to some legal terms and conditions before implementing because they want to protect members' privacy.

For those who want to play around with online chat with a greater degree of customization, just wait a few weeks. AOL's got a new program designed to help websites build communities. It also gives you a more in-depth look at the code used to build the AIM Remote, plus a whole lot more. I've spoken to the developers, and they've got some big plans, so keep your eyes peeled.