ICQ clients for computer. Analogues of the official ICQ
Despite the fact that the famous Piggy has not been supported by Microsoft itself for quite some time, this operating system continues to be actively used by many people, and some of them are even looking for where they can download ICQ for freeWindows XP.
Download ICQ for Windows XP
First of all, it should be noted that some new ICQ releases may not run on XP. Therefore it is recommended:
- or download older versions of the program;
- or set compatibility with Windows XP in the application settings.
However, in the latter case it is not guaranteed full support all the capabilities included in new ICQ releases. However, ICQ will in any case allow users to communicate with each other in text mode. It is also possible to exchange the most different files and embedding funny emoticons.
In new releases, it has also become possible to make video calls to each other. Moreover, it is completely free – no matter where users are in the world. To do this, you will need a webcam and microphone.
It is one of the longest-lived applications on the modern software market. Its first versions became available for free use back in 1996. Of course, since then ICQ has significantly improved its capabilities. And many users do not want to give up using it, even taking into account the fact that today there are a large number of other instant messengers available.
Download ICQ for Window XP
The program is quite easy to learn; even a novice user can quickly understand its basic functionality without putting in much effort. Certainly, ICQ on Windows XP sometimes does not allow you to do some things available to users of newer operating systems. However, good old ICQ is always available for use on this operating system.
ICQ / ICQ– program or network client for exchange instant messages on the Internet. ICQ can rightfully be called the progenitor of all modern instant messengers, without which we cannot imagine modern society. Using the unique OSCAR data transfer protocol, ICQ created a real sensation, people were able to exchange text messages with clients registered in the system, make new acquaintances, organize conferences, send free SMS and much more.
20 years have passed since Aska’s “birthday” (as users affectionately nicknamed this service), and it still holds a leading position among dozens of competitors, and guarantees the most stable operation, which attracts more and more new users. Over all these years, the developers of ICQ Russian version have been improving their product in order to receive progressive messenger, capable of sending not only text messages, but also making calls via Internet telephony between all active clients.
If you are interested ICQ in Russian and want to evaluate all the developers' proposals, you need to complete simple algorithm actions. The first thing is to download and install the program on your computer. The second is to register by creating your account. To do this, just come up with a nickname, add email, invent strong password. After this you will receive individual code, which you can exchange with friends and continue communicating with them in ICQ latest version.
Main features of ICQ for Windows 7, 8, 10:
- Stable work programs;
- Exchange of text messages and calls;
- Creation of online conferences;
- Easy to use and register.
There is also a version ICQ for Android which you can download below. In ICQ for your computer, you can choose the status that suits you. Starting from standard ones, such as “Online” or “Busy”, or come up with your own, unique one. But when communicating on ICQ, do not forget that all your correspondence is the property of AOL Inc, which the company can view and dispose of at its discretion. So don't waste your time valuable information via ICQ. The last one ICQ version You can download it for free in Russian via a direct link from the official website without registering on our website.
An ICQ client is installed on the computer of almost every person who is often on the Internet. Everyone approaches the choice of an Internet messenger thoroughly, carefully weighing all the pros and cons. It is not uncommon for users to install client after client until they finally find one that best suits their requirements and preferences. This choice can only be shaken by a revolution in this area, for example, the release of an unsuccessful version of your favorite program or the appearance of a client that is superior to the usual messenger in many respects. In the second part of the review of ICQ clients, we will look at two programs that are popular in Lately decreased slightly for the reasons mentioned above. The main reason The decrease in the number of Trillian users was due to the unsuccessful policy of the developers, and Miranda is losing its fans due to the appearance of Qip, which we discussed in the previous part of the review.
Almost all IM clients are designed to be used by one person. Of course, everywhere there is an option not to automatically log into your account at startup, but this function is no longer created to select another ICQ numbers and so that no one except the owner account, could not communicate on his behalf. differs from other IM clients in that this program is not for individual use, but rather for family use. Its potential user is a family, each member of which is not averse to being on the Internet at a certain time. Trillian allows you to create separate account for everyone who wants to use the program. It includes all the user's mail and IM services - ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, etc. Each such account can be protected with a password, which will need to be entered when starting Trillian. If you use the program alone, you can install automatic loginto your account. The main drawback of Trillian, due to which the popularity of the program is noticeably lower than that of its competitors, is the availability paid version and, accordingly, restrictions on the use of free. For example, the free version does not allow you to use plugins, but they can significantly expand the functionality of the program (just check POP3 accounts and Yahoo webmail). Of course, domestic users are well aware of where they can find a commercial version of the program for free, but since other programs are freely distributed and contain almost the same functions, a completely reasonable question arises: why look? Not long ago, Trillian's developers struck a blow that, it seems to us, will further thin out the ranks of the program's fans. To the distribution latest version (which, by the way, was already rather large) added the ability to install partner applications , having nothing to do with the program itself. It is clear that such actions do not speak in favor of Cerulean Studios - few people will like to uncheck the boxes several times during installation, so as not to get a dubious toolbar for the browser and a program for notifying about changes along with Trillian weather conditions . Not only users get these extras free version Trillian, but also those who purchased, which can be regarded as a clear disrespect for clients.
However, like any program, Trillian has its fans who are ready to forgive their favorite IM client even for affiliate add-ons. Since Trillian's inception, developers have focused on appearance program, which attracts a significant part of its users. Of course, a nice interface invariably means using extra megabytes random access memory, but those who have a lot of it may not notice it. The new, fourth version of Trillan, which is being developed in this moment, will certainly appeal to fans of the program.
Trillan Astra interface (this is her working title) became somehow cosmic. By default, the blue theme is loaded, but there are about 20 more available - for every taste.
An interesting innovation in the contact list is the ability to quickly change the status without opening additional windows. The name of the current status can be written under the contact list by placing the cursor in this area. The message window has also changed, and not only in appearance.
Firstly, it has become convenient to send images through the program - to do this, you need to drag them onto the window, after which the program will immediately send the picture to the recipient and display an information window. In it you can see the image size, a small thumbnail and a file transfer indicator.
However, we were only able to transfer images using the new method if the recipient also had Trillan Astra installed. Attempts to send files to the third version of Trillian and to the “native” ICQ were unsuccessful.
Another change in the message window is the display of RSS feed titles from popular news resources. Headings are displayed at the top of the window, and clicking on them opens a browser window with full text news.
It is quite difficult to judge the functionality of the popular ICQ client. In the form in which the program can be downloaded from the official website, Miranda IM has only limited set functions. However, this does not mean that the program cannot provide significant competition to other clients.The features available in Miranda by default rarely satisfy the requirements of regular ICQ network users. Having installed this client, they certainly begin to “bloat” the program by connecting additional modules to it. These plugins basically determine the capabilities of the program. Such modular principle It has positive sides. The main advantage of manually assembling the program is customization exclusively “for yourself,” that is, choosing only those functions that will be used in your work. However, such a system has drawbacks: those who installed Miranda for the first time can easily get lost among the huge number of plugins, especially since there are many with similar functions. Miranda IM users do not feel any shortage of plugins. The list of add-ons includes plugins for storing message history, for changing the program interface, for enabling support for network protocols alternative to ICQ, for checking mail on the pop3 server, for reading RSS news and many others additional modules. Total number There are hundreds of modules for the client, and more and more new plugins are being released every day.
Modules are files with dll extension(msn.dll, aim.dll, jabber.dll, etc.) to install them, just move them to the Plugins folder located in the directory where the program was installed. After that, they will appear in the list of plugins, where you can manage them - disable and connect.
As for the program's performance as a whole, only good things can be said about Miranda IM. Firstly, the program does not have advertising modules, and the Miranda IM project is open source. Secondly, the client does not hang and take away mercilessly system resources, as, for example, Trillian does. If any failure occurs in the client’s work (which happens infrequently), its cause is found out quite quickly and, most likely, it turns out to be the last one. installed plugin(plugins can be created by all users, so there can be no complaints against the program developers).
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, there are other ICQ clients worthy of attention. For example, among those who often work on Linux, the Gaim messenger is very popular, which was recently renamed Pidgin, and which is also being developed for Windows. Some prefer R&Q - a client that does not require installation, which implements the ability to monitor the interlocutor's typing in real time and in which invisibility does not depend on the main status. We are sure that among our readers there will also be fans of other programs who can tell you a lot about why they are better. Speaking about alternative clients, we cannot ignore one important point that ICQ client manufacturers are silent about. Since 1998, all rights to use the instant messaging service have been transferred to AOL. Thus, all the “dirty work” to ensure the life of the service is provided by AOL engineers, and the company does not receive even half of the profit that it could have if everyone used only the “native” client, stuffed with banners. On the other hand, almost all alternative clients are free and do not contain advertising, and therefore their developers cannot be accused of trying to make money on someone else’s service. And AOL should probably think about other ways to generate income from ICQ, for example, placing less annoying text advertising links in the program rather than graphic banners, or, say, developing web services related to ICQ and making money on corporate clients. From the editor. To assess the popularity of a particular ICQ client, the 3DNews website conducts a survey of readers on home page. Below are the results as of the morning of May 31, 2007. As you can see, at this moment 12,523 readers voted, so the sample can be considered quite representative.It is not surprising at all that the unconditional leadership of the small stable client QIP and Miranda following behind it. However, the results of Rambler-ICQ, which is lagging behind, cumbersome and clearly overloaded with unnecessary “makeweights,” are also not surprising.
Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
Year of issue: 2012
Size: 12 Mb
License:(free) open source
Interface language: Eng + Rus
Official site: code.google.com/p/alfamar/
The Miranda IM AlfaMaR assembly is a solution suitable for both beginners and advanced IM network users.
Version: 0.9.32Distribution size: 3 MB.
Supported OS: Windows XP/Vista/7.
Supported protocols: ICQ, IRC, AIM, Jabber (including Google Talk), MSN, Yahoo.
License: GPL (open source).
Miranda is an excellent free Internet messenger for instant messaging with support large quantity protocols and, moreover, is completely undemanding of computer resources. Operating system: Windows XP/Vista/7
Year of issue: 2011
Interface language: Multilingual (including Russian)
License type: Open Source
Developer: Mozilla
Instantbird is a completely new and completely free multi-protocol client for Internet communication based on Mozilla and Pidgin technologies. Interface language: English Russian
Operating system:
File size: 2.9 MB
License type: For free
IMadering- a free multi-protocol client for communicating on the Internet.
Supports protocols: ICQ (OSCAR), Twitter, Mail.ru Agent (MRA), Jabber (XMPP), Bimoid. Ideal for use on netbooks. Operating system: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
Interface language: English
License: free
Year of issue: 2011
Size: 7.86 MB
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) - updated version instant messaging client from AOL.
Distribution size: 9.6 MB
Supported OS: Windows XP Service Pack 2 and above
Plugin support: No
Skin support: No
License: Proprietary (adware)
Supported protocols: ICQ
A lightweight alternative to the heavy official client. Various bells and whistles in the form of games and other entertainment features have been cut. Version: 5.8
Supported OS: Windows 2000 and above
Size: 6.05 MB
Supported protocols: Mail.ru, ICQ
License: Possessive
Plugin support: No
Skin support: No
The client is characterized by deep integration with branded services Mail.Ru. ICQ support is not fully enabled and is just an addition.
It must be agreed that official client Even today, not everyone would consider ICQ ideal. Always want something more or different - alternative interface, more features, deeper settings and so on. Fortunately, there are enough analogues, and they can be a good replacement original client ICQ.
It should be noted right away that the phrase "analogue of ICQ" can be understood in two ways.
- Firstly, these are programs that work with the ICQ protocol. That is, the user can register here using his account of this communication system and correspond. This article will talk specifically about this type.
- Secondly, it may be alternative messengers, which are similar to ICQ in terms of use.
As already mentioned, ICQ is not only a messenger, but also the protocol that it uses. The name of this protocol is OSCAR. This functional system exchange quick messages, which can include both text and various media files, and more. Therefore, other programs can work with it.
It should be understood that although today there is a growing fashion for using instant messengers instead of social networks for communication, ICQ is still far from regaining its former popularity. So the main part of analogues classical program messaging is almost the same age as the original, except that some of them were somehow improved and have survived to this day in at least some current form.
QIP
QIP is one of the most popular analogues of ICQ. The first version (QIP 2005) was released in 2005, and the last update of the program occurred in 2014.
Also certain time there was a branch - QIP Imfium, but it was eventually crossed with QIP 2012, which at the moment remains the only version. The messenger is considered working, but updates are clearly not being developed. The application is multifunctional and supports many different protocols - from ICQ to VKontakte, Twitter and so on.
Among the advantages are a wide variety of settings and flexibility in individualization, simplicity of the interface and low load on the system. Among the disadvantages is the desire to build in your own search engine in all browsers on computers by default, forcing you to register an @qip.ru account and closed code, which gives little scope for creating custom upgrades.
Miranda
Miranda IM is one of the simplest, yet flexible messengers. The program has a support system for a wide list of plugins that can significantly expand functionality, customize the interface and much more.
Miranda is a client for working with a wide range of protocols for instant messaging, including ICQ. It is worth saying that the program was originally called Miranda ICQ, and worked only with OSCAR. Currently there are two versions of this messenger - Miranda IM and Miranda NG.
- Miranda IM is historically the first, released in 2000 and continues to develop to this day. True, everything modern updates are little aimed at large-scale improvement of the process, and most often are bugfixes. Often, developers release patches that generally correct one minor aspect of the technical part.
- Miranda NG is being developed by developers who split from main team due to disagreements in the further course of development of the program. Their goal is to create a more flexible, open and functional messenger. Currently, many users recognize it as a more advanced version of the original Miranda IM, and today the original messenger cannot surpass its descendant in any way.
Pidgin is a fairly ancient messenger, the first version of which was released back in 1999. However, the program continues to actively develop and today supports many modern functions. The most known fact The thing about Pidgin is that the program changed its name several times before settling on this one.
The most important feature of the project is working with a wide range of protocols for communication. This includes both quite ancient ICQ, Jingle and others, as well as quite modern ones - Telegram, VKontakte, .
The program is very well optimized for a variety of OS, has many deep settings.
R&Q
R&Q is the successor to &RQ, as can be understood from the transformed name. This messenger has not been updated since 2015, is significantly outdated compared to other analogues.
But that doesn't change main feature client - this program was originally created exclusively portable and can be used directly from external media– for example, from a flash drive. The program does not require any installation; it is distributed immediately in the archive without the need for installation.
Also, among the main advantages, users always noted powerful system anti-spam protection with the ability fine tuning, saving contacts on the server and device separately, and much more. Although the messenger is a little old, it is still functional, convenient, and most importantly, suitable for people who travel a lot.
The work of a domestic programmer, based on the &RQ client, and also in many ways reminiscent of QIP. Now the program as such is dead, since its author stopped working with the project in 2012, preferring the development of a new messenger that will be more inclined towards QIP and will support a wide range of modern protocols for messaging.
IMadering is open source free program. So on the Internet you can find both the original client and an infinite number of custom versions with various changes interface, functionality and technical parts.
As for the original, it is still considered by many users to be one of the fairly successful analogues for working with the same ICQ.
Additionally
Additionally, it is worth mentioning other use cases ICQ protocol, except on a computer in the form special program. It is worth mentioning in advance that such areas are little developed and many programs currently do not work or do not work correctly.
ICQ in social networks
Various social networks (VKontakte, Odnoklassniki and a number of foreign ones) have the ability to use the ICQ client built into the site system. As a rule, it is located in the applications or games section. Here you will also need login data, a contact list, emoticons and other functions will be available.
The problem is that some of them stopped being serviced a long time ago and now either do not work at all or work intermittently.
The function is of dubious usefulness, since you will have to keep the application in a separate browser tab in order to correspond and social network, and in ICQ. Although this option is very useful for people who travel a lot.
