If you are migrating from an existing ICQ client, read on, you might be able to save yourself the tedious process of adding everyone, all over again. Once the wizard is done, the program will pop up with your contact list, which (unless you added some people) would be blank. On your minimized applications task bar, you will find a little computer icon. This works similar to the little green lotus you may be familiar with if you've used the original Windows ICQ client. Double clicking it will bring up the contact list or read an incoming event. (See image below)

Now that you have Licq up and running and are familiar with the basic layout of the program lets proceed with working with Licq.

Working with Licq

All the major functions are grouped under the System Icon, akin to the ICQ button found in the Windows Version. From here you can select all sorts of options, right from adding/searching for users to configuration options. Licq works just a bit differently when it comes to adding new users. If you choose the add user function, you will have to be ready with the contact number of the user you wish to add. If, however, you wish to search for people based on their e-mail addresses or names and then add them, you need to use the search for user option.

Licq allows you to categorize all your contacts into different groups so you can divide your contacts into appropriate categories like work, family, friends etc. If you are migrating from Windows or even another Linux ICQ client, you don't need to painstakingly add all your contacts all over again, Licq comes with scripts to help you import your contacts from several popular Windows and ICQ clients. The location of these scripts will vary depending on how your Licq is set up, but their names are usually like licq.winconvert99a (converts from Windows ICQ version 99a). Try keying in the above in a terminal or search around till you can find them.

Licq supports a number of events you can send people on your contact list. Double clicking will bring up the standard send message dialog. (See image below)