Internet: ICQ

In this guide we shall see how to install ICQ and its main characteristics.

ICQ

ICQ is a Buddy List Program. It allows us to have a list of friends and colleagues in a window that will pop-up when we are on-line and it announces that we are connected at that moment. Those who have us on their list will know that we are on-line at that moment. Like this, we can immediately establish some sort of communication.

Let's see how to install the software first.

INSTALLATION

Steps:

1- Download the ICQ installer from the Internet.

2- Instal ICQ on the PC.

During the installation you will have to:

3- Connect to the Internet in order to ask for a UIN number - (Unique Internet Number)

4- Add users to the list.

Pasos detallados:

1- Downloading the ICQ installer from the Internet.

• Open: http://www.icq.com and click download of the ICQ installer program.

• Pick the newest version. You might need to click on the download button.

• ANother option is going to C|NET Download.com or read the instructions on that page.

• Choolse the option 'clic here to download now' to download the software. When youe machine asks you where to place the file, choose somewhere easy like the desktop or a special download folder in order to download it now.

• It may take a while downloading the ICQ installer.

The program downloaded into the PC will install iCQ when you run it. Eg:

2- Installing ICQ on the PC.

• Close all applications (For example; Word, Excel, etc....)

• Search for the installer file on your desktop, (or wherever you saved it) It should be called something like icq98a130.exe o rsimilar.

• Double click the installer icon in order to run it.

• Answer all questions that the installation wizard will ask you, but you don't need to submit all the data it asks for if you don¿t want to. You will need a Nickname and a Password.

During the installlation you will need to:

3- Connect to the Internet (If you are already connected that's fine.)

You must be connected to the Internett in order for the ICQ servers to register you into the system. This is when you register and receive a UIN number. This number, together with a secret password identify you as an ICQ user and allow the system to inform other users that you are on-line.

Also, during registration, you have the chance to submit personal details which will allow other users of ICQ to find out about you, in case they are looking to meet people with similar interests.

4- Add users to the list.

Once registered, you can put together a contact list. This list of friends and associates which also have ICQ. By adding them to the list, you are asking ICQ servers to let you know when any of these people are on-line. There are help files in the software in order to use this.

The easiest way to add someone is:

• Click on the ICQ button (in the ICQ window) - Add/Find Users - ICQ Main Search Engines

• Then: Search by ICQ Number - input the number of your friends ICQ and ask that the software look for it in it's database.

• If you can't find who you are looking for, simply add the user from the list; 'add user to list'.

THE ICQ WINDOW (versions vary - these are the main items)

As soon as we are connected to the Internet, ICQ automatically detects the connection and attempts to log on to the server. You can tell by the red flower (disconnected) with a green petal circling clockwise. As soon as you are connected, the flower turns green and ICQ announces our presence to it's Internet community. It will also let you know when a friend from your list connects or disconnects.

STATUS

You could be under a different status with ICQ. The following graphic shows the possibilities. You only need to click on the status button and select a different one in order to change it.

When you are invisible, other users receive the signal as if you were offline. You can see that they are online. (Unless they are also invisible!)

RECEIVING

When someone sends you a message or other event, there will be a flashing icon calling your attention next to their name. There are also various sound alerts for incoming events.

In order to 'go get' the message, you must click the username and a menu with many options will appear, with receive among them. ICQ can be setup so that both left and right mouse clicks can be used for this.

As you click receive a window will pop up with whatever you have been sent. This could be a message, a URL, a request for chat, etc... This example shows a message received where you have the options of replying to it, forwarding it, closing it, send a chat request (only if the other user is online at that moment) etc...

SENDING

Once you know someone is online, you only need a click on their name and a menu allowing for a wide selection of options will open. Amongst many, are the following:

• Send message, file, URL, Contact List, E-mail
• Invite to a chat, Call by phone, Use a conference program etc.
• See the message history with that user
• Go to the user's website
• Get information on the user
• Re-name the user (only on our window)
• Eliminate the user from our list
• Establish the status for this particular user (invisible, always visible etc.)
• Keep a floating button of the user onscreen