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