Did AOL hack in to IQC or is ICQ with AOL. I dotn get it?

AOL owns ICQ
which sucks

My Favorite feature, ICQ History. what would happen to it? are there any database converters to turn my 2000b database files into an older version?

So in inclusions, AOL releases ICQ verson 2000, wait until most people who would switch to the latest and greatest, then put in the advertisement and people, because they were locked by the one way database converter, couldn't downgrade. AOL, that is a nice plan.

run regedit.exe ;
Go to Hkey_current_user\software\mirabilis\icq\defaultprefs
Put the AUTO UPDATE to "no"

If it is too late, reinstall and make the changes again.

Escritoire

Well it has a little ways to go but lets show our support for this fellow. He's making an ICQ Clone for Windows! It is at the barest working right now send messages, add users, nothing advanced yet but he's on the right track and hopefully his Miranda ICQ will become the ICQ we all want to USE :) Heres the URL to find more information about it. http://miranda-icq.sourceforge.net/ I found this purely by accident and just wanted to let everyone know there is still hope.

errr... try Odigo. Support for ICQ, AOL, and Yahoo. ;-)

I've know of Odigo for ages... and I would LOVE to give ICQ the boot...

BUT I got over 300MB of 4 years of History and frankly I dont wanna let it go.. SO..

IF anyone know a way to IMPORT/CONVERT ICQ History to Odigo format... PLEASE TELL ME....

Orealis

Methinks we should start calling it IC-SCREW instaed of ICQ. I've used ICQ since it's inception and ever since AO-HELL took over, it has been S-L-O-W as hell and overbloated with useless crap.

OT I know, but iv been reading the nullsofties finger pages for a while now, and its starting to seem VERY obvious that most of the guys there regret selling out to AOL.... most days someone posts a comment about "corporate bulls***e" etc etc... I fear the reason winamp 3 has taken sooo long to see the light-of-day is due to AOL's demands on all the non-music related things it should do.

Ads Online is a more appropriate name for America Online, because America is definitely not online with AOL.

Hello,

I’ve been a big fan of ICQ for years now. When AOL got their greedy little hands on it, the first thing that came to mind was ads. What’s wrong with AOL? Why are they so damn greedy? I know its business and all but there has to be some kind of limit. Even Microsoft doesn’t go that far (and they have better stuff!). I don’t want to hear, "It’s free, if you don’t like it don’t use it" bulls***! ICQ is a well-made program. I even like the extra stuff that came with 2000, but there is no need at all for ads.

Do you know how many people make free programs that DON’T put ads in it? Sure it’s more common now, but it’s not like AOL needs that extra money. What about it’s AOL Software (America Online), why do they need ads on the Download Window, Chat window and Download Forum? Come on! We PAY for this service and we still take the ads up our ass. I’m quite sick of it.

For all you WinAmp users, you might want to head on down to http://www.winamp.com and download a copy and back it up. Because now that AOL has its hands on it, ads are sure to follow. I wasn’t always this Anti-AOL guy, No siree. I loved their service back in the early 90’s! But once they got popular things got out of hand.

As I see it now, there is nothing we can do about this, because AOL seems not to care about its users. But there has to be something we can do, it’s US the ICQ users that control the service. If it weren’t for us there would be no ICQ or AOL for that matter!

I agree with everything you say, and, on the subject of Winamp... don't download version 3.0 when it comes out... I'm sure it'll have some forced auto-update feature, and it has "digital rights management" built into it.... what a crock of BS that is... I stopped updating my winamp as soon as I found out about it..... I'm still using 2.58...

I am still using ICQ because of their "history" feature. I would switch to another IM immediately if they could provide a better "history" tool.

yeh that keeps me with it too. Odigo keeps history, but it limits it 1000 messages and is to easy to accedentally delete them all.

Can you guys give me some links where I can get ICQ versions 98b and older? Can't find them on ICQ's site anywhere

Thanks

go to lycos.com and then click on ftpsearch then just type in icqsetup.exe that's the original version of icq, or look for icq98a, icq98B, or icq98a, or icq98B, etc.

i am sure you will find whichever version you would be interested in using. I know I just recently downloaded the original version so I could install it on my laptop for basic messaging,etc. since it was only a little over a megabyte and my laptop only has a 2 gig hard drive and I do a lot of photography work that eats a lot of space it was the obvious choice.

In a move ALSO not entirely unexpected, I ditched both ICQ and AIM in favor of Odigo with ICQ, AIM, and Yahoo compatibility modules. No ads now. See ya, AOL!!!

I thought Odigo had adverts. The only reason I use the ICQ client is because I can drag all of my contacts onto the desktop and get rid of the contact list window. I also make them semi-transparent, so I have about 25 pixels taken up at the bottom of my screen, and I can see through it anyway.

I've been using ICQ98a since it came out, and its going to stay that way for good. I downloaded 2000a recently, and I couldn't believe how cluttered it became. I was appalled. I quickly switched back to 98, and felt right at home. It supports chatting, and file transfers - which is all I use it for. It starts up in approximately 1 second, and is great.

If you have thousands of friends, and feel that the "Birthday Greeting" feature might come into good use, then I recommend ICQ2000a, but if you just use ICQ for chatting, then ICQ98 is the way to go. You won't be dissapointed.

I know that sounded like an ad, but I'm sure ICQ isn't happy I said this.

-Myke

98a/b last best version before bloatware was introduced. Especially since we can manuipulate the address book. For those of us with original #'s under 500,000 (give or take) it was a wonder when a once usefull and simple msg app would be converted into bloatware, and then infected with tyrAnny On Line's disease.

ICQ98a has its own problem with some security exploit that crash ICQ and corrupt history database... why didn't AOL offer updates the older verson? So basically, we are stuck with the 99 series if we want to be safe... or find a third party client that supports direct TCP connection. Any out there for Windows?

Haha. 101010 on the ICQ search = Geoff K. Perhaps a spin on the ever-popular Jeffk(!!!!!111~~)?

Does anyone know of a program that can convert an ICQ 2000 database back to say the 98a style?

For anyone who uses Junkbuster or a similiar ad blocking program, just ad the following:

/cf/ate/ads/ #cf.icq.com
ads.icq.com
ads.web.aol.com

For the peeps who don't use ad blocking software, then you can just use Windows 'host' file. Here's a 'how-to' guide:

http://accs-net.com/hosts/

The eFront crew aren't gonna like this.... =)

umm...i downloaded the sample hosts file and added teh icq ones, yet i still see ads even coming from places listed in teh hosts file

why did it not stop it from receiving?

It's probably loading that advert from you cache or you didn't add the variables I mentioned in the host file.

ahhh, i cleared my system/internet cache and added the servers you said correctly as far as i can tell

I still has no ads on my ICQ2000 client, it's seem that the autoupdater doesn't work well on my system. Good. ;-)

You mean they have to put food on the table!? How dare them!

Sorry guys but the app is still free. Don't use it if you don't want to. Besides how often do you use the send URL or Birthday features? You can send URLs with instant messages no problem.

You guys you need to think for a while. Think how good you have it.

Riel Lereen

Put food on the table? Since when does AOL have to worry about that? Shut-up d***, you don't have a clue. I find this extremely offensive. It's called bait and switch and it's against the law in many states, provinces and/or countries. I also find your defense of the practice extremely offensive (I know you find my attitude offensive and that's good, since that's what I was going for...) I long ago switched to a Universal Messaging client which allows me to connect with all services, not just ICQ. So long Mirabilis.

Its only called bait and switch if they are trying to sell you something.. last I checked AOL is giving you something for free. So suck it up and deal with it.. its not like they plastered a big NSI ad on your background.. that may be coming next but save it for then. Also.. stop complaining AGAIN because you dont have to use ICQ2000.. use a clone.. mirabilis does not care. Go use LICQ..

Last time I checked we have Freedom of Speech.

The ads as wallpaper is probably planned for a later update of Microsoft.NET after they've got everybody to the point where they can't turn back.

Not necessarily, bait and switch laws apply to services and products. You needn't pay money for the thing, either, for the law to apply. A product or service need only be offered under certain conditions and then be change once the comsumer's been taken in. ICQ is a defacto standard, and they offered the service under certain conditions which we have a right to expect them to maintain. No, I don't believe AOL has the right to modify their terms in this way, even though the service is free (nothing is free btw. Obviously they've been getting something from it till now. Given the anti-consumer behavior of big business generally and AOL specifically, they've likely been selling our info w/o our permission...) Once you have a huge userbase and an effective monopoly, you no longer have the right to say "it's our way or the highway." The alternatives out there- other instant messaging systems and half-functional universal messaging clients- are not viable alternatives either. Firstly, changing from one system to another is a technical and logistical nightmare- just ask any corporation or other large bureaucratic body (IBM learned an important lesson about that once upon a time....) Secondly, the average user doesn't have the technical wherewithall or time to switch to something else, and get all their contacts to switch as well. These days, instant messaging is becomming increasingly mission-critical to businesses, as important a tool as email for *all*. Mirabilis/AOL should be taken out and shot for this kind of BS as far as I'm concerned....

You just don't get it. Did you sign a legally binding contract with AOL saying they were never to put ads in the ICQ software? I doubt it. It's their program; they have every right to do whatever they want with it.

I don't get it? Is it me, or are you the one that doesn't get it? You know that thing at the beginning of the install called the "liscencing agreement"? That's *supposed* to be a legally binding contract, so yes, as far as Mirabilis is concerned, I did enter into a contractual agreement with them when I installed their software. Unfortunately (for software publishers) these so called liscencing agreements have never been tested in court. It's generally thought that, were they, they be thrown out due to their ridiculously unreasonable terms. The point is, first of that, that you don't know what you're talking about. :-) Secondly, I have a good point. You refuse to see it since your whole life view is skewed (negatively IMO) in extactly the opposite direction from mine. :-)

Huh? Nowhere did AOL ever promise (in their license agreement or elsewhere) not to add ads to their software. Ad-ware is the way of the future (unfortunately). Get used to it.

luckily, icq stopped working for me (crash on startup) since 2000b, so i use jabber ( www.jabber.org ) to connect to icq (and AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and if needed IRC) without messing with gay a** features i'll never use, and

Well if you have to use ICQ, then use ICQ99... No Banners, Advertisements, or any other junk.

AOL is now opening themselves up to alot of privacy issuses
More and more people are becomming aware of SPYWARE as the weeks fly by. SOme don't care about their security. I believe any invasion of privacy is wrong no matter how you slice it.
THese programs NEED a huge splash screen saying
HEY WE ARE NO GATHERING DEMOGRAPHIC DATA ON YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES
click yes to continue or no to stop us.
THanks again for your time
controler

Like AOL Instant Messenger I have met people that can rid of the banners by makeing a EXE taht you simpaly put in the C:/program files/AOL/instantmesenger folder... BAM! no more ads... and even better same thing will go down with ICQ!

I stopped using ICQ 2000a about 2 weeks ago.
All software has an autoupdate feature now. INcluding MIcrosoft.
This allows them access to your computer anytime they want. IN order to use these autoupdate features , a SERVER must be installed on your computer without your knowladge or written consent. If it is in the fine print of the users aggrement . none ever seem to read it.
Once again , to inform yourself of SPYWARE , go to
http://www.grc.com
and check out Steves great and dedicated work , plus try his free
known spyware removal program.
If you are going to trust someone , it might as well be Steve Gibson
thanks for your time
controler

I tought they had some sort of pride... Now they are like AOLame this is realy stupid ICQ!

I saw someone complain that the reason this happened was because the internet users were all cheap-skates who wanted everything for free. I think this is too much of a generalization. For the most part people do want the software for free but mostly not because they are cheap but because they cannot afford it. There are a lot of people out there that do not have alot of money and are having to run off bargain equipment with free software out of necessity. Let's not forget those people.
What I find moronic about all of these companies and their ad campaigns is that they know ads fit into a law of diminishing returns. The more ads placed the less people appear to take notice of them. I completely skip over some pages, magazine, tv programs, radio stations etc. just because of the amount of ads in them. There are now ad blockers for the internet, and as personal TV systems like TIVO and Replay become more prevelent it will become very easy to just tape every show you want sans commercials. How then will the marketeers get their product information across? They'll probably put the ads right in the middle of the show like in "The Truman Show". This has already started, ever notice in the movies how the Apple logo is always focused on or Coke/Pepsi cans always have the name visible when the cop goes to take a drink.
So when ads start sponsoring the next generation of movies what will happen? People will go back to books for entertainment? Maybe. Maybe people will just sell out and start renting the backs of their asses for advertisement space, who knows. I for one am just tuning out all of the ads and I know others are too.
The more ignorant aspect of it all is that it doesn't have to be like this. AOL could create a non-advertisement version that people could (and would) buy in order to avoid the ads. But that's AOL for you.

Nevertheless, advertising STILL works quite effectively. YOU and many others may ignore the ads, but you won't BELIEVE the amount of people that have ads catching their eyes, and in a few minutes end up buying their products!

Maybe people will just sell out and start renting the backs of their asses for advertisement space, who knows.

They already are. Ever look at a pair of Levi's? People often even will pay more if the clothing article has a "prestigious" brand name on it. I've never understood that, but I know you'll never catch me wearing commercials.

I hear everyone b**** and moan about aol and icq lately. Did we not knwo this was coming?? AOL makes its money off of advertisements. I screw them and go with Yahoo messenger. No advertisements yet and when/or if they get some I will move on again to something else.

I still have ICQ99b! Damn AOhelL bas****s better keep their hands off my computer!!!!!!!!

ICQ99b! Ha, Im still running 98a! Totaly free of ANY aolisms ;)))

maybe so, but 98a also has more hacker toolz out to get in the system. 99 has less. i suspect 2000 will have more with the intro of new bloatedness. Hell, 99b was the last time the e-mail werked,. lol

Wow, sounds like I picked the right week to quit d/l'ing ICQ(Still on 99x) here. I got sick and f**k'in' tired of the problems associated with the database changes, like losing it every other upgrade. Anyone remember when you were either online, away, or offline?

Typical! Thats all I can say. A big company like AOL doesn't ask the user what they want, instead they force it on them. Wait for it, soon your messages will have advertisements attached. Not only will this slow things down for people that don't have Cable and DSL available in their countries, but I predict more people switching to a more reliable Instant Messenger like MSN Messenger 3.0 or even go the open source route with WinJab (http://www.jabbercentral.com/). At least then you can talk to all your ICQ buddies and those that have switched to MSN and Yahoo Pager, etc.

Well I guess AOL has to pay for the 30 discs I receive from them each month hehehe.

If they really wanted to save money, they would stop mailing out so many dang cdroms to everyone. Its as bad a spam mail anymore, only coming through normal mail.

Just last Sunday our newspaper came with a AOL cdrom attached!! Thats the truth too.

I have 48 AOL Discs 27 compuserve and many others coming to a grand total of 86, and thats only this year! How many have you got?

I have never used AOL or compuserve either.

Well I lost count :) I usually toss them in the trash when they come as they just take up room.

I have tried AOL once, but know that I never will use them due to the fact that they like to entrap their own users. I have strong feelings against entrapment.

How come I dont have these adverts yet then?
I've got ICQ2000...
Anyone else?

I'm using icq2000b. That doesn't have the ads... yet!!!

my ICQ2000b doesnt have them either

Why did my last post got truncated? Anyway, I've been using ICQ since the day it was released but this article really made me think about switching... It was predictable however, as everything AOL gets its mitts on, will eventually be turned into an ad/spy/bloatware. The next in line is more than likely WinAmp: "Surf and buy cool stuff while listening music!!!" No thankyouverymuch, I'll rather put my money on independent developers...who will eventually be bought by AOL ;)

-ztn

if reinstalling and changing the registry doesn't work, use your old contact list. it works on mine...

BTW, my "Auto Update" registry is also in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Mirabilis\ICQ\DefaultPrefs

AOL sucks, *sigh*

well that's gay

(no offence intended there)

It seems at least ICQ 2000b and some versions of 2000a has the AutoUpdate key stored in a different location than described in the article above:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Mirabilis\\ICQ\\DefaultPrefs
"Auto Update"

What else can you expect from aol, theyre all spammers, just look at aol instant messenger, its looks more like an ad program. When are comppanies going to get it?????? Everybody hates spam!!!!!!

Unfortunately everyone on the internet are also cheapskates and want all their stuff for free. The way companies make money is through ad revenue. Unfortunately all this ad revenue is growing exponentially.

My problem is not the fact that these companies use ad revenue to make money as much as I wind up paying in slower connection speeds. All these ads and ad server and bots running around the internet trying to make the internet free for some loser are wasting teh bandwidth for those of us who pay for broadband.

Personally I'd love to see how fast the internet really is by sending out a bot that shuts dow all ad servers and kills any other bot it meets along the way leaving us with only packets that were requested by online users.

What is really hilarious about this is that AOL took some spammers to trial for spamming its members and has such a strong anti spam policy when they have been spamming their users all along! AOL is stupid anyway. Why would I pay for an internet service that still has banners when I can get one free from various companies without any banners at all! New computer users are just being caught up in the hype of AOL and still think its the best service. That is the only reason they join, because every service they offer I can get from other places for free:)

Well, I had it running and I didn't fix my registry until after the damage. Anything to do to fix it back to the old way? Perhaps uninstalling and reinstalling it and disabling the Auto Update in the registry? If anyone does that, they should let us know. I guess the hackers will be wanting to "patch" this now. Also, I saw a good solution to sending an ad filled URL...send it in a message. No ads there, just in the URL send.

THe FIX would be to download Zonealarm and when zonealarm asks , do you want to allow this server , Just say NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

controler

After over 2 years of use, I have finally decided to throw this mess away. ICQ looked to have a good future back with version 1.02 and then ICQ 98, but as soon as ICQ 99b came out, I could tell it was all over. It didn't take long for AOL to ruin everything.

i never used ic crap before cause it was too 70s for me with the rubber hippie daisy and a stupid flower plus it was way too big for an imer ive used yahoo messenger (changed from yahoo pager which was a better name) and it does everything for me ive also added MSN its got some features that are good but i dont really like it too much but its different im sure if you came across something that has warez you could get rid of your banners there was talks back in the day of aol and icq joining to make a new messenger that works with both and yahoo and MSN to join and make one but obviously that was scrapped

AOL=AOHell, pity the poor bas****s that use them. Glad I stayed at 99b.

And rgrah...I have on word for you. PUNCTUATION.

Ads work on people even if they don't immediately buy the product. It's called building name recognition. The more name recognition you have the more likely you are to prefer that product. Happens even without you knowing it. That's why ads work. I've always wondered when icq would go out of beta, get everyone hooked, and start charging a fee or something. It even said in the fine print of the old icq's that it has the right to discontinue or change service, charge, whatever. If the ads really bother you, just start searching the net, and you will find 'fixes' to clean out the crud. Eventually, our cars will have billboards painted on them, imagine the potential! BTW, did you know we spend 3x as much on ads as we do on health care for americans. Priorities seem out of whack somehow.

This has actually already begun. I recently read about a company in the California area that will pay for your monthly car payments if you agree to put ads on it. They make a huge custom sticker with an ad on it, and you're suddenly driving a billboard around town. Sure it's free, but seriously people...