I just did some poking around the net as I had to reinstall ICQ but didn't want that nasty piece of work they're releasing these days. Came across a great little site stocking almost every version of ICQ known to mankind.

As I remember some chatter about this a while ago I decided to post it for anyone else not happy with that bloated thing they have now.

http://www.spoutnic.com/icq/

As a lot of people use it as a support tool I'm guessing this is the right forum..

Greg Moore

awesome link :)
Thanx.. ive been looking for the older version myself :)

Whats the advantage of using an older version?

I can't speak for everyone else, but for me it's faster load time and less junk. ICQ *used* be a nice slim little program that was fast and unbreakable. Since the 2000 versions it's become the fat old mother-in-law of instant chat. I actually moved to MS Mess because it was (and still is) faster and more reliable.

Greg Moore

hehe, anyone know which older version is the peak of performance and useful features?

im using icq 2000a right now, but i've managed to take out all of the ads manually using a program called ResHack...

You can also use trillian from www.trillian.cc

I tend to prefer
99a Beta v2.20 build # 1800
(Feb 1999)

It was about the last of the good ones that has everything you need, without most of the rubbish you don't.

Greg Moore

Great link akashik.. :) I hate the new ver. it really sucks with all the ad's in it..

Originally posted by Domenico
You can also use trillian from www.trillian.cc I'm a Trillian user myself! :D
The newest version of this program is great and if you like skins, they're starting to come around.
I removed ICQ and AIM now that i'm using this program.

Yay.. I'm officially a WHT Addict! :beer:

all we need now is something that will convert your list back to work with one of the older ones .. hmmm....

Originally posted by Seer
Yay.. I'm officially a WHT Addict! :beer:

Congrats. :) :beer: :dunce: :spiny: :nuts:

I don't remember if this is the exact site that I used for directions... but I think it has similar directions...

http://www.cexx.org/icq.htm

It gives you a how-to for removing those pesky advertisments from ICQ 2000a... for those that have couple million contacts in their ICQ and if theres no utility to allow you to transfer that list and all your preferences... (doesn't take away all of the annoying and unnecessary features, but takes away the ads!) :)

If I remember correctly, http://icqru.com also had the older version of ICQ.

I now use Trillian - it includes ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and IRC, all in one small, fast loading program. I Highly recommend it.

Originally posted by Get-Hosted.com
If I remember correctly, http://icqru.com also had the older version of ICQ.

I now use Trillian - it includes ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and IRC, all in one small, fast loading program. I Highly recommend it.

hmm, im gonna have to try Trillian... is anyone running it on Win2k right now? hopefully it performs faster then ICQ 2000a ;)

Yup, I run it on win2000 and it works without any problems.

It never hangs but that is offcourse because I run win 2000 ;-) LOL

:agree: sounds like a good software to download :D
thanks

BTW: You can have Multiple connections of each chat program on at one time. if you have multiple ICQ or AIM names... you can be logged in at the same time with this program. My only problem is it says I am idle, even with the option turned off. It seems to base idle on using that username for a chat, not using the same chat program, Trillian, or even moving the mouse on the computer like ICQ 2000b.

lol, i use ICQ2000b with a NO Advertiesments hack installed, its wonderful - faster loading, no adverts, display users IP and add people to your list without request :-) plus many other enhancements

In trillian when you move over your contacts with your mouse an info box popups (very fast, no wait) with many info including IP.

I know the hacked ICQ 2000 and that is cool too offcourse.

The thing I like about trillian is that I can use MSM and others too wich some of my contacts use over ICQ so I decided to use trillian for all instead of loading ALL those messengers. I have it skinned so it looks just like ICQ with same graphics. Pretty cool...

just downloaded and installed trillian... confusing at first sight, but was pretty easy to get a grasp on ;)

Originally posted by alpha
just downloaded and installed trillian... confusing at first sight, but was pretty easy to get a grasp on ;)

True!

I had the same but after I skinned it and set it up to my wishes it works like a dream...

Originally posted by akashik
I tend to prefer
99a Beta v2.20 build # 1800
(Feb 1999)


Same here....

Wow. I'm still using ICQ 98a beta v. 1.11, circa 1996.

Time for an update maybe? :D

Originally posted by alpha
just downloaded and installed trillian... confusing at first sight, but was pretty easy to get a grasp on ;)

Im using the WinXP skin - its purty cool :)

I use the newer icq for the only reason of being able to use it for SMS messager. Good to keep in touch with everyone via them. I can also sms clients, its free for mobile to reply too also. Which is a bonus.

Regards

Craig