I use AIM and ICQ, I prefer ICQ it just has a lot more functions.
However a lot of people I sometimes need to talk to use AIM, so I have no choice there.
Both have thier good and bad points, the invisable mode on ICQ is great, means I can just be picky about who I want to talk to, and not have to worry about being pestered by people I cant be bothered with.
Of course AIM is more of an instant chat than instant messanger, sentances tend to be shorted, and conversation a lot faster, With ICQ you tend to write longer more in depth messages. Its a little more intellctual.