Random Rambling: The glorious days of ICQ

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When I asked “Why LJ” in ‘s journal, posted an ancedote about ICQ. It got me thinking about years and years ago, when most people hadn’t even heard of the Internet. I was on ICQ then. I went to ICQ’s web site today and saw ICQ ID numbers in the 9 digits. When I was on ICQ, my number was 6 digits. I’m fairly certain that the first digit was a 1 or 2.

When AOL bought ICQ (June 1998 (Source)), I decided that AOL was probably gonna ruin it, so I deleted my account. Anyone I wanted to chat with was on IRC if they were on anyway (this was before I could know a person both in real life and online, with the possible exception of my friend Pat).

I stopped using IRC when I came to the Academy, and my social life changed dramatically.

Later, I succumbed and got an AIM account, as it was the easiest way to chat with . Although she and I used talk quite a bit at times. Of course, WPI had a modem bank for her to use then.

My, how times change…

I just finished supper and will be heading to the Wedge shortly.

Edit: add to list of annoyances that the time posted is time started working on the entry, not time entry finished and posted

4 thoughts on “Random Rambling: The glorious days of ICQ”

  1. I have heard rumors that people exist with fabled “5 digit numbers”, but I have seen no confirmation of such things.

    I’m on a 7 digit myself… though I use Trillian all the time anyhow, so it doesn’t really matter.

  2. I probably have 3 or 4 ICQ accounts, since I usually sign up for them, and then I don’t know anyone else who uses ICQ (except in Canada and Australia). Then I forget my number and sign up again.

  3. I remember those days too. I forgot my original 6-digit number, and lost the password. So, I made a new one, and aver remember the number: 1928425. I don’t use it at all, so doesn’t do any good, but another random fact stuck in my memory.

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