ICQ is a realtime chat client, like Yahoo, AOL or MSN Messenger, but with many more features and a better interface. In my opinion, It is the best one out.

The 5MB sized installation file can be downloaded from www.icq.com. When downloaded and installed, you can register an ICQ number (UIN). This number identifies you on the ICQ network and other users can find you by searching for it.

When you have got yourself an ICQ number, it is time to build your contact list. Using the “Add/Invite Users” feature, search for your friends and family using their email address, name, nickname or ICQ number. They will land directly on your contact list if you don’t require their authorization to add them to your list. Otherwise, a request will be sent to them and you’ll have to wait till they approve. Once you have some people on your contact list, you will be able to see whether they are online or not. You can also send them chat requests, files and webpage addresses.

You can choose to “ignore” a user who is bothering you. When you put a user on your “ignore” list, he/she will not be able to see if you’re online and all messages from him/her will be trashed. People on your “invisible” list won’t be able to see you online but you will be able to receive their messages.

If you like chatting to random people on the net, the ICQ whitepages are a great help. You can search people through location, age, gender, language and many other factors.

ICQ records the history of messages as well. If you wish to maintain your privacy, you can switch this option off for some or all users that you chat with. You can also protect your contact list (if you’re on a public computer) by password-protecting your ICQ number.

While online, you can choose to be in the "DND" (do not disturb) mode, "Away" mode, "Free for chat" mode, "Privacy&quo
t; (invisible, other users can’t see you) mode etc.

The one thing about ICQ that will really annoy you is the amount of URLs advertising pron. However, you can avoid these by turning on an option in "Security & Privacy" which doesn’t let anyone who is not on your contact list send you spam messages/webpage addresses.

The ICQ server is down only sometimes and you can’t connect. When that happens, it’s very agitating. I can’t live without ICQ- I feel weird when I don’t see that little green flower in my taskbar when I’m online.

ICQ is a great way to keep in touch with all your friends and relatives on-line. I get such a kick out of the little voice that says "uh-oh" when I have a new message. And I don't even use all the features ICQ has. I have never played a game over it, and only a couple of times have I sent or received a file transfer through it...I just use it for it's main purpose, instant messaging.

ICQ to people they will say, "oh, it's just like email.' and I say .."no..." or they say,"oh, that's a chat program" , "well, no....it's more than that" I guess you just have to use it to "get it" I am having the same difficulty explaining epinions...so maybe it's just me!!