ICQ is a neat little chat program that lets you know if your friends/family are online.

The letters in the name mean just what they say, "I seek you."

Download ICQ at their web site http://www.icq.com. The file is about 6.2 MEG. The latest version for Windows95 is ICQ 2000a Beta

ICQ supports the following Operating Systems (versions of ICQ)

• ICQ for Windows 95/98/NT4 - 2000a Beta v4.30 build #3141
• ICQ for Windows CE - v0.97 Preview
• ICQ for Windows NT 3.5 - v1.113 Beta
• ICQ for Windows 3.1x - v1.111 Beta
• ICQ for PowerPC - v2.0 Beta
• ICQ for 68K Mac - v1.7.2 Beta
• ICQ for JAVA v0.981a Preview
• ICQ for the Palm Computing Platform - v1.0.2 Beta
• ICQ has customized versions for Bigfoot and Netmeeting

Probably the best feature is how well ICQ runs in the background. While you are running ICQ, it stays out of your way until someone you know comes online or tries to contact you.

IQC allows you to get an online alert of people in your contact list, get and leave messages, chat, send and receive files and URLs, play games, or even use it as a business tool to find and make contacts on the Internet.

When you add contacts to your contact list, you don't have to go looking on different nets of IRC, or wonder if they are on the Web, or waiting for them to check email-you can get your message across right now-it's much faster. Of course, for this to work, the person you want to talk to needs to have the ICQ program, and both of you have to be online and have ICQ running.

The program runs in the background, taking up minimal memory and Net resources. While you work with other applications, ICQ alerts you when friends and associates log in, allowing you to work efficiently while maintaining a wide range of Internet functions at your fingertips. Among the functions available are: chat, message, e-mail, and URL and file transfer.

Yes, you can run ICQ, mIRC, and CUSEEME at the same time and have your web browser open, too-the only limit is your computer's resources to run all those other programs concurrently. It also depends on how many tasks you are capable of doing at once. Can you chew gum and walk at the same time?

ICQ supports a variety of popular Internet applications and serves as a Universal Platform from which you can launch many peer-to-peer applications (such as Microsoft NetMeeting or Netscape CoolTalk).

ICQ has a multiple-user mode, so groups can conduct conferences or just 'hang out' on-line.

How does it work?

When you install ICQ, the program asks you to register at a server, which is connected to a broad network of servers spanning the Internet. When you register, you get your own UIN (Universal Internet Number). ICQ also gives you the option of entering personal information along with your UIN.

This allows other ICQ users to recognize you when you log on. Then you compile a selected list of friends and associates. ICQ uses this list to find your friends for you. Meanwhile, ICQ waits quietly in the background without interrupting any other applications you're also using.

Note: be as careful with your personal information on ICQ as you would be in any other chat environment. ICQ displays your information in a directory.

Another note on safety: when you register, set your contact list so you must AUTHORIZE each user who wants to put you on his contact list. When I registered, I used my web-based email account, one I set up more-or-less anonymously. Also remember, if you put your home page URL in your ICQ info, people will have access to that information, and easily connect it with your ICQ user name.

Another note on safety: when you register, set your contact list so you must AUTHORIZE each user who wants to put you on his contact list. When I registered, I used my web-based email account, one I set up more-or-less anonymously. Also remember, if you put your home page URL in your ICQ info, people will have access to that information, and easily connect it with your ICQ user name.

Once you know who's on, all it takes is a click of an icon to start a chat, send URLs, messages, files or launch your external peer-to-peer applications.

The ICQ Server Network

The ICQ technology is based on a proprietary server and database network. The ICQ network was designed as a global solution for a large number of users. ICQ routes all communications using a peer-to-peer protocol. This means the messages do not go through the server, IPs directly contact each other using ICQ.

There are some differences between ICQ and other Internet programs you may use such as WebChat, Powwow, mIRC or PIRCH. You don't need the current IP address of the other person to contact them and ICQ is small. ICQ differs from IRC in that there are no channels, and it is less intrusive.

Installing ICQ:

Get connected to the Internet, then run the Setup file you downloaded. During setup, just follow the prompts, filling out the fields you want. ICQ assigns your UIN. When setup is complete, you have icons for two programs on your computer: the ICQ program itself (a flower icon) and NetDetect, the program you can set up to launch ICQ when it detects your Internet connection.

Using ICQ for the first time:

All you see is an empty contact list. :( To get some people on your list, use the big button ADD/FIND USERS. ICQ has a database where you can search for people by name, nickname, email address, or UIN.

When someone adds you to their contact list, and when you add them, a SYSTEM MESSAGE comes up. You will have a flashing checkmark on your ICQ tray. Just click that checkmark, then click RECEIVE to read ICQs message to you.

Communicating with your contacts:

Click a person on your contact list and a menu comes up. I have my ICQ configured to open a message window to the user when I double left-click, and when I single right-click, the menu comes up. You can switch these around if you prefer.

MESSAGE-sends a short note-POSTIT NOTE size

FILE-allows you to select a file to send the user.

WEB PAGE ADDRESS. If you are running a web browser, this will send the current URL to your contact. You may, if you wish, type in a URL.

CONTACTS-sends your contacts to the other person, who will still have to get authorization from any contacts you send if they have chosen to restrict having their name added without their permission.

EMAIL-lets you send email to your contact, at the address they have chosen, using the EMAIL client you listed in your PREFERENCES settings. (More on setting that up a little later.)

ICQ CHAT-invite this CONTACT to chat with you. If you and a user are in a chat, you can invite another person to join you. Here's how: ICQ CHAT on the new person's name, then your ongoing chats are displayed. Just click JOIN SESSION.

ONLINE PHONE BOOK DIALER allows you to ask the other person if you can telephone them.

IPHONE/GAMES-Invite a user to participate in these external programs. You can download them here too.

VIEW MESSAGES HISTORY-look back at previous messages to and from this CONTACT

GO TO HOME PAGE-points your browser to the CONTACT's listed homepage

GO TO HOME PAGE-points your browser to the CONTACT's listed homepage

INFO-see what they have listed in their INFO profile. Name, email address, homepage and such may or may not be listed, according to the CONTACT's preference.

DELETE-remove the user from your contact list permanently

ALERT/ACCEPT modes-allows you to choose to automatically receive events, have your ICQ tell you this person has signed on, set the person to not see you online even though others can or to see you even if you are in your PRIVACY mode.

FLOATING ON/OFF has their name in a floating box on your desktop.

Setting up the features:

The FLOWER button. This is located on the bottom right portion of your ICQ screen. You have several choices of how your CONTACT NAME will be seen by other ICQ users.

Selecting PRIVACY will allow you to keep your online status hidden from your CONTACTS. Your status automatically goes into AWAY, and then into N/A (Not Available) after you are inactive for several minutes.

The ICQ button. This is located on the bottom left of your ICQ screen.

ADD/FIND USERS. This is how you find CONTACTS to add to your list.

FUTURE USERS WATCH. This is how you send the ICQ program to your friends/family.

ADDRESS BOOK. This is the alphabetized listing of your CONTACTS, and includes their INFO.

SIMPLE/ADVANCED MODE selection. I like advanced. You can set up your mouse here.

ADD/CHANGE CURRENT USER

VIEW/CHANGE MY DETAILS You need your password to change your information. After you change your information your contacts need to click on your CONTACT NAME (on their ICQ list) and then click INFO then UPDATE.

CHANGE THE ACTIVE USER You can have more than one UIN on your computer. You switch to another user here. This can be done while you are connected but you need the password of the UIN you are switching to.

CHANGE THE ACTIVE USER You can have more than one UIN on your computer. You switch to another user here. This can be done while you are connected but you need the password of the UIN you are switching to.

UNREGISTER USER You need the password for this.

SECURITY/PRIVACY Take a few minutes to check out the features in this area. Here is where you can choose to require authorization before people add you to their CONTACT lists.

IP HIDING allows you to keep others from seeing your IP address.

IP HIDING allows you to keep others from seeing your IP address.

If you forgot your password:

Go to ICQ's Password page. http://www.mirabilis.com/password.

Go to ICQ's Password page. http://www.mirabilis.com/password.

Saving your contact list:

Your CONTACT list and other UIN information is stored in your ICQ\DB directory.

Make a backup copy of this directory so if you have system problems or want to install your ICQ on another computer, you won't have to re-request authorization from all your contacts.

To copy files, use the COPY utility your specific Operating System supports.

Using the contact list back:

If you have to reinstall ICQ on your computer or want to install it on another computer.

Use the backed-up ICQ\DB directory. Just install ICQ and re-register your own ICQ number using the password you chose during your original registration. Then close ICQ and copy the ICQ\DB directory from your backup diskette into the ICQ\DB directory you just created when you reinstalled ICQ.

To copy files, again use the COPY utility your specific Operating System supports.

Sounds:

ICQ does not support wav play the way IRC clients do. However, there are sounds associated with different events on ICQ.

Other Features:

PREFERENCES is where you configure your sounds and colors, as well as changing your server lists.

CONTACT LIST-change colors of your CONTACT LIST and configure your CONTACT LIST.

EVENTS-configure automatic sounds, and automatic responses to incoming events.

STATUS-change the messages and timers for your MODES (flower icon)

ACCEPT-set up your accept directory and choose or disable auto accept status

EMAIL-configure your email client

CHECK EMAIL-configure how and when to check email (I don't use this feature-it was too intrusive for my taste.)

IPHONE/GAMES/CHAT-set up a list of external applications you can use with ICQ

SERVERS Add servers to your SERVER LIST

Here are some more servers for you:

• icq1.mirabilis.com - port 4000
• icq2.mirabilis.com - port 4000
• icq3.mirabilis.com - port 4000
• icq4.mirabilis.com - port 4000

RANDOM CHAT this is where you set up your status for those times you put yourself in RANDOM CHAT mode (flower icon)

TELEPHONE- here is where you choose to list or restrict your telephone number. You can set your telephone number so a user needs your approval to see your number.

WINDOWS/ALERTS-here is where you set up what happens to your ICQ window in response to certain events.

HELP-click HELP to get answers to your questions

SLEEP MODE-shuts off ICQ so that it will wake up when your next Internet connection is detected.

SHUT DOWN-just what it says -it ends the program.