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Question: What is ICQ?

Answer: ICQ is an Internet tool that tells you when someone on "your list" is online. It allow you to communicate with them in several different ways. You can chat, send instant messages that pop up on their screen, send URL's, send e-mail, and even transfer files.

ICQ is a program that runs in the background. When you have ICQ running it tells other people that have you in their "list" that you are on-line. You can also have people on your "list."

When ICQ is running it can display your list of friends, family, or other people you've selected. The people that are currently on-line show up as being Online and the people that are not currently on the internet show up as being Offline as shown on the picture at the left.

To send a message - just double click on their name, type your message, and send it. It beeps on their computer and the message is there. Simple - Quick - and you know they got it instantly - unlike e-mail which you have no way of knowing when they will check their e-mail.

Similarly to send a file - just click on the arrow beside their name and select file. A window pops up asking which file you would like to send. You simply choose the file (or files) to transfer and type a description and send the file. No attachment, no encoding, no decoding, no hassle. It's quick and simple.

ICQ also allows you to establish a chat session. You can even have several people logged into your session.

Answer: ICQ is free to download at www.icq.com

Answer: Basically - install it, register so you have a user id, and tell your friends.

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