ICQ in the News

I had a six-digit ICQ number. It was the first instant messaging system I learned to use while I was still in college. Did I just reveal my age there? I have not used it in a long while, I don't even remember what my ICQ number was anymore. But seeing the ICQ logo in the tech blogs brought back some early internet memories.

Because of its strong Russian users base, it is reportedly attracting the interest of Google and DST (a recent Facebook investor). I remember ICQ being an easy to use service and I used to prefer it over Yahoo Messenger - if Google or Facebook takes over and improves on it - I'd probably be one of the first in line to try the new service out! Tech Crunch stated that the final price of ICQ might be over $250 million.

Whoever wins the bidding wars, I hope they do something with the application. I think brilliant minds can still do so much more with instant messaging technologies.

What was the first instant messenger you ever used? What did you like about it? Share your thoughts in the comments section.