Get chatting with ICQ

Rose Vines explains how to get started with ICQ.

Chat programs such as Internet Relay Chat are great for meeting new people who share similar interests. If, however, instead of meeting new people you'd rather connect with old friends or colleagues, then nothing beats ICQ (it stands for "I seek you").

This terrific little program alerts you whenever a friend or colleague comes online and gives you the chance to send messages back and forth, create a private chat room, and share files and Web sites.

At present, there are over 11,000,000 users of ICQ throughout the world and that number increases by almost two million each month. Chances are many of your friends and family are already connected to it. If not, ICQ provides a number of ways for you to help them get connected.

You'll find a copy of the latest ICQ program on the Starter Kit disc. Follow the installation instructions below to get yourself connected. Then make sure you check out ICQ's site on the World Wide Web at www.icq.com. It provides in-depth information about using the program plus information on a group of related programs.

Installing ICQ
Installing ICQ is not difficult:

1. Connect to the Internet.

2. Stay online, but close down all other applications.

3. Download and install ICQ -- or install ICQ from the Starter Kit CD now

4. Once the program has been installed and while you're still connected to the Internet follow the registration instructions which will be displayed right after the installation process. This process will register you as an ICQ user on the ICQ servers.

5. After you've completed the registration process you can start adding friends to your `buddy list'. You can find additional help and information about all the ICQ features by using your Web browser to visit the home page at www.icq.com.