ICQ

If you want chatting software with everything including not only the kitchen sink but the cabinets also, then ICQ is for you. The most complete, most complex and, in my opinion, the most difficult to use chatting package available. On one hand, I love ICQ because it has a huge user base and because you can do anything with it. On the other hand, the program is so complicated and difficult to use that many newbies are stupefied and dumbfounded.

Lots of people like ICQ. As well they should, because it really is the "king" of chat clients, if this is measured by the sheer number of features. This product has everything that you could every want. And, of course, it's totally free.

To get ICQ just download the most recent version from the ICQ web site. Install it on your system. The program will assign you a unique identifier which other people will use to communicate with you.

Along with the client that you install on your computer, you can use a host of other features. You can set up a communication panel on your web site, a chat room, and even a free web site if you want.

And ICQ works on many different platforms. There is, of course, a Windows version, along with a Macintosh, Windows CE, Alpha, Java and a Palm Pilot version.  There is even a version which interfaces with Netmeeting, Microsoft Chat, Microsoft Vchat and Bigfoot.