# The Useless Folks at ICQ
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [September 29, 2000, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007 "2000-09-29T14:49:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/1 "2000-09-29T14:49:46Z")
ICQ is having problems. For me at least. And a few hundred other people on their boards, apparently.
Let me sum up.
A few days back, I tried to log into ICQ. It told me that my password was incorrect. Fine, says I. I e-mail off to get my password. When it comes back to me, I copy and paste it into the password prompt.
PASSWORD ERROR.
I can’t get in. I send their Tech Support an e-mail. In the topic, I ask that they read my whole message, and not send a form letter. I clearly state the problem. I ask them for a solution.
I got back a form letter. It told me to do exactly what I said I had already done in my e-mail.
Puhleeze.
Anyway, ICQ is dead to me. I don’t want to re-register with a new UIN. Screw ICQ until they can actually assist me.
---
### Author:  [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/2 "2000-09-29T14:56:48Z")
Fine. I’ll just call you lardass in THIS thread then, fatso 😉
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### Author:  [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/3 "2000-09-29T15:22:11Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Mr. Cynical \*
> \*\*I can’t get in. I send their Tech Support an e-mail. In the topic, I ask that they read my whole message, and not send a form letter. I clearly state the problem. I ask them for a solution.
>
> I got back a form letter. It told me to do exactly what I said I had already done in my e-mail.
>
> Puhleeze.
> \*\*
You didn’t really expect them to read your email and _not_ auto-respond, did you?
I mean, what does “auto” mean to you, anyway?
You think there is some guy at ICQ who sits there all day, waiting for tech-support email to pop into his Outlook Inbox? Like he reads each and every one then sends a form letter back?
You want to be all indignant and upset because their software is malfunctioning, fine. Be that way. You can even complain about it and make melodramatic posts for thousands of people to see.
But don’t blame them for not providing one-on-one, specialized attention to a jerk who downloaded their software for free, didn’t read the license agreement then bad-mouthed their product in public, despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of satisfied people use it _every freakin’ day_.
So, a piece of freeware has a bug, and the developer didn’t fix it immediately. Then, to add insult to injury, they had the _audacity_ to respond to your inquiry with a form letter insted of personalied attention? Is that it? Did I sum up your injury properly?
Puhleeze. :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/4 "2000-09-29T15:25:40Z")
sdmibert, stick it in your ass. Your entire argument is moot. Would you like a flower?
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### Author:  [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/5 "2000-09-29T15:26:25Z")
Yeah you fuck for brains! What the hell’s wrong with you? Guess you’ll just have to spend more time in chat then eh?
😉
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### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/6 "2000-09-29T15:29:44Z")
Well, Demo, I’m already there. Nyaah!
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### Author:  [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/7 "2000-09-29T15:38:57Z")
**Mr. C** ,
From the [ICQ License Agreement](http://www.icq.com/legal/end-user-license.html):
> [@](#):
>
> By accepting the terms of this license agreement you agree that ICQ Inc. is permitted to limit, deny, create different priorities to different users, update or **cancel some or all of the functionality of this Software at any time, without prior notice** …
>
> …ICQ Inc. makes **no warranties** or guarantees as to the availability or reliability of the ICQ Services and Information to you or to any other user. The Software, the ICQ Services and Information functionality or any part thereof including without limitation, the access to the ICQ Services and Information granted to you or to any other user and/or the availability and functionality of any ICQ feature and function, including without limitation ICQ Applications developed by ICQ Inc. or by third parties, **may be changed, updated, limited or terminated at any time, temporarily or permanently, without prior notice, for any reason or no reason by ICQ Inc. in its sole discretion (“Changes of Functionality”).**
>
> … **You agree to bear the risks of and hold ICQ Inc. harmless** for any and all effects that the Changes of Functionality and Grant of Different Services may have on your ability to use the Software and the ICQ Services and Information, in whole or in part, for communicating with third parties or their ability to communicate with you…
>
> ICQ Inc. may at any time cancel, change, hold, de-list, introduce different options and features to different users or refrain from publishing ICQ numbers or any other details of the users listed on the various ICQ directories and listings.
You schmuck.
“Your entire argument is moot”? What the _hell_ does that mean?
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### Author:  [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/8 "2000-09-29T15:58:52Z")
Eh, sdimbert, let the man vent, OK?
He’s obviously in great pain because he can’t talk to me all night now. He needs to be cursed at on a regular basis to be able to cope with the hardships of this modern life, and I’m usually the guy to do so.
To wit:
Hey, Cynical! I bet you chowed down another 4 or 5 grease burgers last night, huh? Who got the pickels this time? The wife, or the dog? Lardass grease slurpin’ good-fer-nuttin’ burger hog 😃
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### Author:  [@GreenEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenEyes)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/9 "2000-09-29T16:11:59Z")
Mr C…
I had posted a thread about a month or two back about ICQ account thefts. People are stealing accounts by hacking in and changing peoples passwords. Pretty stupid, eh? Anyhow, ICQ sent a note saying if you want your password sent to you that it would send it via email to the email address that you originally opened the ICQ account under. Hope this helps… and I hope nobody swiped your account. If someone did you will get a “ransom” note in your email from some guy offering you your account back if you send him money.
\
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### Author:  [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/10 "2000-09-29T16:16:53Z")
**Coldie** ,
Since _you_ asked… no problem.
I just bristled at the illogic of the whole thing.
I didn’t realize he was addicted to your abuse. _:steppingoutoftheway:_ Carry on…
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### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/11 "2000-09-29T16:20:42Z")
I’m going to snip liberally here.
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by sdimbert \*
> \*\ ***Mr. C** ,
>
> From the [ICQ License Agreement](http://www.icq.com/legal/end-user-license.html):
>
> > [@](#):
> >
> > By accepting the terms of this license agreement you agree that ICQ Inc. is permitted to limit, deny, create different priorities to different users, update or **cancel some or all of the functionality of this Software at any time, without prior notice** …
> >
> > …ICQ Inc. makes **no warranties** or guarantees as to the availability or reliability of the ICQ Services and Information to you or to any other user. (snip)
> >
> > **may be changed, updated, limited or terminated at any time, temporarily or permanently, without prior notice, for any reason or no reason by ICQ Inc. in its sole discretion (“Changes of Functionality”).**
> >
> > … **You agree to bear the risks of and hold ICQ Inc. harmless** (snip)
>
> You schmuck.
>
> “Your entire argument is moot”? What the _hell_ does that mean? \*\*
Good old Merriam-Webster online sez:
> [@](#):
>
> Main Entry: 3moot
> Function: adjective
> Date: circa 1587
> 1 a : open to question : DEBATABLE b : subjected to discussion : DISPUTED
> \*\*2 : deprived of practical significance : made abstract or purely academic \*\*
Bolding is, of course, mine.
The reason I say that your argument was moot is that I know that the disclaimers are there. They always are. I do not dispute the fact that they exist, or what they say.
I am not attempting to be litigious, holding them responsible for any damages. I was stating that I ain’t using it until it’s fixed.
That is why your argument is moot. It is academic in that it was void of practical significance. It was _unnecessary,_ in that I happen to agree with you on most of those points that you illistrated in the quote. Preaching to the choir, it’s called by most. A waste of bandwidth by others.
Then, in light of the fact that I stated facts, you voiced opinions and suppositions, with only the slightest regard to reality. Bad form!
Perhaps you do check the facts, as the sig you proudly _and deservedly_ brandish declares, but in this case, you lost touch with the issue.
I hereby take away the shovel with which you were valiantly attempting to dig a hole. This case is closed, Encyclopedia Brown. 😃
**Codpiece** (and I say that with the utmost respect) Pickles have not been allowed in the homestead since the day of the pickle event. heh heh heh!
**Greeneyes** , thanks for your suggestion. The kicker is, I did just that. The password they sent was the original password, and it still didn’t work. Weird, huh?
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### Author:  [@GreenEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenEyes)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/12 "2000-09-29T16:34:25Z")
That means someone went in and changed your password. No wait… the password they sent you… I wonder if it’s the password NOW…or the one you originally started the account with…Well, good luck in dealing with the ICQ folks. I sat on the phone with them for HOURS one night.
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### Author:  [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/13 "2000-09-29T16:42:29Z")
**Mr. C** ,
Touche.
As far as your difficulty goes, would it be to big of a deal to cancel and re-register your ICQ acct? Is there any way to do that and retain your number?
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### Author:  [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/14 "2000-09-29T18:46:52Z")
sdimbert: Absolutely not. I couldn’t remember my password a year or two ago, and since I no longer had the same email address, they couldn’t send it to me (I hadn’t used my account in about two years). I asked if I could just cancel the account and reregister, and they said an account is active FOREVER.
2169855, if anyone wants to crack it for me.
–Tim
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### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/15 "2000-09-29T19:17:06Z")
Well, I’ve given up on **ever** re-activating my old number. I’ve a new one now. Dangit! Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to write down all my contacts in a seperate location.
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### Author:  [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/16 "2000-09-29T19:18:37Z")
**Homer** ,
That sounds like it sucked.
A bit of a tangent, but someone here on the SDMB told me about Jabber a while ago. It is an IM client that can connect to different IM servers like AOL, Yahoo!, and ICQ.
That way, you only need one piece of software to send IM’s to _all sorts_ of people. I tried it out, but it kept crashing. If that sounds like a good thing, check it out… I’m sure they’ve worked out the bugs.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/17 "2000-09-29T19:29:34Z")
**sdimbert** , I just downloaded the program that **democritus** was singing the prainses of the other day: **Odigo**. It seems like that works well, too!
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### Author:  [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/18 "2000-09-29T19:32:32Z")
Is it also multi-system, like Jabber, or can you only talk to other Odigo[sup]TM[/sup] users?
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### Author:  [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/19 "2000-09-29T19:59:17Z")
It’s a multi-client program as well. Actually, the interface looks kinda slick.
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### Author:  [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)
#### Post date: [September 29, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-useless-folks-at-icq/35007/20 "2000-09-29T21:58:50Z")
You mean that’s a program that lets ICQ and AIM interface? Cool! Link Please!!
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