ICQ®

ICQ® ("I seek you") is my favourite Instant Messenger, I've been using it for years now and despite it's bulky and somewhat complex appearance (which has in fact greatly improved over the years), once you get to know and understand how it works (and thinks ;) it's seriously cool! It comes in two major flavours for Windows users... ICQ "Lite" (which is now in v6) and the now defunct ICQ Pro (2003b). For Mac users there's a single version, ICQ 3.4 which once again lacks the bells and whistles that Windows users get, there's also a web based version (no download required) ICQ2Go which is an essential bookmark.

Another Windows perk, if after checking their ICQ Client Comparison Chart you're still unsure which version to run with you can in fact install both ICQ5 (or 6, although at the time of writing this article ICQ 6 isn't featured on it) and also ICQ Pro 2003, then happily switch between the two if and when you want :) There is a major security issue with running ICQ Pro 2003b that while it's dubbed as being minor is still nonetheless, still an issue that one should take into consideration as there wont be another Pro release to correct this, only upgrading to the "Lite" range addresses it.

ICQ is a little different to the likes of Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger etc as you don't actually have a screen/nickname as such, you get allocated an ICQ number (much like a phone number), but don't worry about having to remember numbers instead of names as your buddies/friends list actually displays their nicknames (obtained from user profiles) which makes it all so much... friendlier :)

ICQ also offers interoperability with AOL/AIM and iChat, not surprising since AOL actually owns ICQ (see The ICQ Story and A letter to our Users from the ICQ Team for a little history :) but despite acquiring Mirabilis (now ICQ Inc) in 1998, interoperability was slow to roll out the door and didn't kick in for Mac users until July 2003 with the release of v3.4.

You have to be 13+ years old to register for an ICQ account but the process is dead easy, as is recovering your password or ICQ number if you happen to misplace either/or. Their network status is easily located at http://www.icq.com/help/, all their "legal speak" documentation regarding terms of use/service, copyright, privacy etc is all lumped together in one handy location and if you have your own website then ICQ Web Tools is a must see corner of the net as it's there you'll find everything from ICQ Status Indicators to ICQ Panels and all the bits and bobs in between.

ICQ® versions:
ICQ 6.0.5354 2 May 07 http://www.icq.com/download/
ICQ 5.10 Build #3000 11 July 06
Pro 2003b #3916 29 October 03
ICQ 3.4 (Mac version)  July 2003 ~ http://www.icq.com/mac/ (see WackyB.info ~ ICQ 3.4 for more information)
ICQ2Go 17 January 2005 ~ http://www.icq.com/icq2go/
for more detailed information about current versions please check out our list of Current ICQ versions

ICQ® General Links:
ICQ Homepage ~ http://icq.com/
Register @ ICQ ~ https://www.icq.com/register (you must be 13yrs or older)
 ICQ Password / ICQ Number Recovery Center ~ https://www.icq.com/password/
Downloads: http://www.icq.com/download/
ICQ Client Comparison Chart ~ http://www.icq.com/download/compare.html

ICQ® Help & Support:
Knowledgebase ~ http://www.icq.com/help/help_choose_cat.php
Ticket Center ~ http://www.icq.com/help/ticket_center.php
ICQ Expert Board ~ http://www.icq.com/boards/browse_folder.php?tid=30227

ICQ® Legal Speak:
End User License Agreement ~ http://www.icq.com/legal/end-user-license.html
Acceptable Use Policy ~ http://www.icq.com/legal/policy.html
Usage Notices ~ http://www.icq.com/legal/usenote.html
The ICQ Privacy Policy ~ http://www.icq.com/legal/privacy.html
Terms Of Service ~ http://www.icq.com/legal/