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How do I use ICQ?
John Reekie, 26 Oct 1999
ICQ (www.icq.com)
is an "instant messaging" product that has two neat
features of interest to collaborative workgroups:
- You can see when someone you are working with
is currently active on their computer, and
- You can initiate a NetMeeting with them
through ICQ.
The rest of this FAQ explains how to install the
ICQ client and set it up for these purposes. Our
recommendation is to only use ICQ for contacts
that you are working with very closely
and who you don't mind interrupting you at any time.
The setup notes here assume that you use it this way.
Installing ICQ
First, download ICQ from one of these locations
Install it -- you
will need to create a user ID, which should all
be fairly explanatory. Enter the minimum amount
of information possible.
Open the ICQ client. From the ICQ menu/button at
the bottom, select Security and Privacy. On the
Security tab, select "My authorization is
required." On the Ignore List tab, select
"Accept messages only from users on my contact list."
From the ICQ Menu/Button, select the Find/Add Users
menu and then select the Find User - Add to List
entry. use the dialog to locate the person you are working
with and add them to your contact list. They
will be sent a message requesting authorization.
Contacting people
When your ICQ client is running, you will see the
people in your contact list, and a small icon
indicating whether they are connected to the network
and they are active on their computer.
If they are, click on the user name to send a message.
They will be interrupted from their work by ICQ
beeping at them and displaying your message.
(You see why you should keep your contact list
very small. However, for keeping in close contact
with the right people, this can be invaluable.)
NetMeeting with people
Assuming you have NetMeeting installed (see the
NetMeeting FAQ), click on the name of the person
you want to netmeet with. From the menu,
select Internet Telephony/Games, and then
select Microsoft Netmeeting. ICQ will start
NetMeeting (if it isn't already running)
and "call" the other person's NetMeeting. | 
