VBOK #3 - Upgrade to ICQ98a
______________________________________________________________________
Hello all,
Are you using ICQ? The upgrade to version 98a is out. Once you D/L the
updater utility just double click it,
and it will figure out what version you have and what files you need
to update to 98a (PC users only, sorry MAC people).
If you don't have ICQ, go to It's the
most awesome chat, file transfer, see if your buddy is on-line right
now program to exist. I know you will love it. 5.4 million users can't
be wrong.
Once you've downloaded ICQ, when you run the install, it will ask if
you want to add new users. Just enter my UIN which is 216395 into the
"Search by ICQ number (UIN)", it will find me and you click next, and
I'll be added to your contacts list (One favor, please send a message
to me in ICQ telling me that you are a VBOK reader. Otherwise I'll
have no idea as to why you added me or who you are.) Not that you
would actually wish to speak to me, but just so when someone comes
over, and see's your ICQ window, they won't automatically assume you
have no friends because there are no contacts.. See, I think of
everything (useless that is).
So, what's new in 98a???? Glad you asked.
The general window looks the same, but it's got lot's of new
features...
You can now be selective in who you are visible to/invisible to/and
ignoring.
All those web pages (new info, user's guide, white pages, public chat
rooms, locate people) are now in a drop down window (no more remembering
http addresses or using bookmarks for them).
There is an advanced mode (uses all the cool features), and a basic
mode (uses the 1.113 version stuff)
Three more "away" modes: Free for chat, N/A (extended away), and
Occupied (urgent messages only). You also get multiple away messages
to choose/make from. Like having multiple sigs.
You can have random chat groups. You make yourself available to be
randomly chatted, and those people with little to no lives/friends can
randomly choose people off the ICQ servers to talk to. :)
When someone sends you a file, it makes a sub-directory off of the one
that you specify for received files using the contacts nickname. This
makes it nice, because now you know who sent it to you.
You remember the www pager???
Well, now people can see if
you're on-line from here too, as well as send you pages... Cool.
Anti-spamming measures... You can ignore multi-recipient messages with
the words "all users". Which brings me to the ICQ announcements
window... For all of you who still fall for the "ICQ is going to
charge you unless..." and the "Do not accept any messages from this
UIN, he's spreading a virus..." spams, well now there is a way for you
to be in the KNOW! Each time you start ICQ, it brings up a window
displaying all the latest and greatest news and info. Now you won't
get yelled at anymore when you forward those stupid things to me.
For those of us with web pages... ICQ for Java is now in version .95.
It supports the IRC style chat, and I will have it up on my page
shortly. Also they revamped the ICQ navigator bar for your web page. I
think it looks a lot nicer, Go to
for the Java ICQ, and go to to get the
new navigator panel.
There is some "contact by phone" option, but I don't know anybody with
version .98a yet, so I can't test it.
Well, that concludes this issue. Have fun.
Leif Gregory
Copyright (c) 1998 by Leif Gregory. All rights reserved.
You may share this copy of the VBOK newsletter with others as long as
it is reprinted/resent in it's entirety to include this copyright
notice.
If you've received this edition of the VBOK newsletter from a friend
or colleague and wish to start receiving your own copies, then click
the below link and send the generated e-mail message.
Virtual Book Of Knowledge (VBOK)
VBOK Editor
VBOK Homepage
Unsubscribe
Back-Edition Titles