I've been using the Macintosh version of ICQ for nearly two years now, and it has never failed me, this simple instant massaging application is as reliable as using the telephone - only a little more addictive.

Personally, I just don't feel comfortable working at a computer if I can't see that little box with the flower somewhere on the desktop.

The Mac version is a little light on features, not including some of the options that the WinTel versions offer, like a random chat function, web phone, or an extended personal information section. However, the reliability and simplicity of it well and truly makes up for anything that it lacks.
Some of the feature that it does include are; the ability to send and receive files between two IPs (this doesn't seem to work if one of the IPs is behind a firewall), the ability to send links to URLs as messages, and a chat function for (I believe) up to 4 users. The Macintosh version is of course compatible with the Windows versions, so contacting, chatting to, or receiving files form another platform is not a problem.

Another very nice feature is the fact that it will happily run from a 100Mb-zip disk. Which means that it can be taken from one computer to another, which is a very handy thing for a student using multiple computers in a university environment.

There are of course drawbacks, most of which come in the form of spam, but it can be configured (as I'm sure the Wintel version can) to shut out unwanted messages, even unwanted users.

If you're often online, and need to be contacted easily then ICQ is definitely worth while (I know that being able to be reached instantly has saved me on more than one occasion). It can also serve as a great distraction when you just can't be bothered working.




Recommended: Yes