AOL instant messenger limits its users to only 885 characters per post. So if you try sending an instant message with 886, it won’t let you. I wonder why 885? It doesn’t sound like a handy programming number. 1000 or 144 or 256 would sound more logical.
aim limits
Happening right now on Spudart: Press a leaf in an envelope with the date and story written on it until 2026-10-31
just a quick calculation. 885 time 8 bytes per character equals 7080 bytes. This is also very near the maximum file size that AOL allows for buddy icons (7168). This allows a buffer for special commands most likely. Looks like it is an attempt to manage the traffic packets, which when are of a predictable size, works out pretty well. But this is a smart-a$$ guess and IT STILL MAKES NO SENSE!