GoKawiilOpen-source Open OSCAR Server revives AIM and ICQ chat protocols
A new open-source project called Open OSCAR Server, written in Go, lets classic AIM and ICQ clients connect and communicate again by reimplementing the old OSCAR and TOC protocols. It supports a wide range of legacy Windows clients from the late 1990s through 2000s, along with features like buddy lists, chat rooms, file sharing, and user profiles.
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AOL and ICQ's original servers have long been shut down, leaving decades of once-popular messaging clients unusable. This project gives retro-computing enthusiasts and preservationists a way to bring old software back to life without corporate backing, though it explicitly avoids any commercial ties or affiliation with AOL or Yahoo.
- Open OSCAR Server is a non-commercial, community-built replacement for defunct AIM and ICQ servers.
- It supports numerous legacy Windows clients and protocol versions, including TOC1 and TOC2 variants.
- The project is actively developed and open to contributions, with setup guides and a Discord community available.
Raspberry Pi 5 Single Board Computer — Open OSCAR Server is a lightweight Go binary, which makes a Raspberry Pi 5 a perfect always-on host for your own private AIM/ICQ network. Set it up once, leave it humming on your shelf, and let friends log in with vintage AIM clients whenever nostalgia strikes.
See Raspberry Pi 5 Single Board Computer on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: github.com, 2026-08-30
Published there as: “Open Oscar Server: open-source server compatible with AIM and ICQ clients”
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