ICQ for Windows 98×
Software1996 – 2001
ICQ for Windows 98
Caption
Buddy lists, flower icons, and chat windows that brought instant messaging to dial-up users.
Historical Impact
Mirabilis ICQ (1996–2001) introduced buddy lists, away messages, and event-driven chat to home dial-up connections. Its cluttered Win98 UI — status flowers, tabbed chats, and notification pop-ups — became the social layer parallel to amateur homepages.