ICQ 98 -- Beta Release


This weeks article looks at the recent upgrade for ICQ — ICQ 98 beta release, which has been causing all kinds of fun and games! I hope that if you have been having problems with ICQ 98, you will find some answers here!

If you are unfamiliar with ICQ, look at my previous articles on this subject.

Upgrading

If you are an existing ICQ user, there is a change in the way Mirabilis (the company that created ICQ), has handled this. Usually, upgrades are listed along with the full version, but many upgraders selected the full upgrade and consequently lost their contact lists!

In order to stop this happening, Mirabilis has introduced an 'updater' program. This little program checks to see what your existing version of ICQ is and downloads the appropriate version for you. If you currently use ICQ, then you must use this program to upgrade ICQ.

Once the updater is downloaded, you run the program. The updater goes off, selects the correct ICQ program for you, and begins the download process. It then proceeds to run the installation. There are some important things to remember here.

1). Close ALL other programs (including your browser), but NOT your Internet connection.

2). You must remain connected throughout the installation process. If you lose your connection part way through, you will have to re-run the updater.

3). Once completed, keep the updater program — you can use it to obtain future upgrades.

Running ICQ

Once installed, ICQ 98 will have a few surprises for you. One of these is it wants to run your browser when you connect to the Internet. Some find this very annoying, but you can switch it off. Here is how.

1). Log off the Internet so that the "Net Detect" icon is shown in the system tray area (bottom right of the screen next to the clock)

2). Click right mouse button over the NetDetect icon and select "Edit Launch List"

3). On the popup screen, you will find a check box: "Launch browser on start-up." Uncheck this box

If you have the ICQ 98 version 1.03, you can find this option within ICQ itself.

New Privacy Settings

ICQ 98 boasts new levels of privacy that can be customised in a number of ways. As well as On-line, Away, Do Not Disturb and Invisible you can now:

Appear to be on-line to certain users but off-line to everyone else on your contact list.

Be available for chat for other ICQ users. This enables others to start an ICQ chat session with you on specific or general topics. You can turn this off if you are not available!

The copyright of the article ICQ 98 -- Beta Release in PC Support is owned by Chris Cruickshank. Permission to republish ICQ 98 -- Beta Release in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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