We have all gotten these messages that ICQ is going to charge you if you do not forward this message or some other doomsday message. Some of the rumors include AOL has purchased ICQ and will start charging on some date in the near future. Well it is true that ICQ has bean purchased by AOL, they still have not ever said they intend to charge. This is a quote from the ICQ site itself.

"Concerning our Time Limited Free Beta software policy - No change is currently being considered in this policy, which has prevailed ever since we introduced our product. In any case, in the future, if at all we will consider any changes in this policy, an advance notice of at least 30 days will be given."

" Please Note: We never ask our users to send us ANY information or to forward any messages"

You may read the entire page by clicking here

MESSAGE: Message to all members. As we implement the new version of ICQ I regret to inform you that every member will LOOSE their account. Once ICQ2000 is downloaded you will have to sign up again using the new ICQ technology. Unless members refuse, the removing of ICQ accounts will begin FEB 1st. Forward this message to members on your list as we cannot inform everyone due to network restrictions.

John Stevens ICQ MANAGEMENT

Well the rumor mongers have gotten this one all messed up! The new version of of the program is call ICQ99 not ICQ 2000. Come on guy if you want to be inducted in the rumors hall of fame you will have to try harder than that! So the only thing that ICQ users will have worry about on Feb. 1st is to turn the calendar page!

MESSAGE: URL:http://www.mirabilis.com/press_release26.html URL's description: send to all on list, or you will be deleted from system sorry its mandatory for all users

Well at least the got the URL right! But they did not READ it. This release is simply about AOL acquiring Mirabilis release which did take place in June 1998. By linking to the home page it look legit but no where in the press release does is say anything about mandatory for all users, I think that if ICQ wanted to inform users of something they have the equipment to send it themselves. ICQ will not delete anyone for not forwarding any thing.

MESSAGE: ICQ would like to know how many gay users they have. So if you're NOT gay, forward this message to everyone on your contact list including me, or you will be listed as gay.

MESSAGE: I never forward these stupid things, but cancer sux IMPORTANT TO ME SO PLEASE FOWARD IT!!! This is a message from the International Cancer Society. Please send this to as many people as possible. ICQ will donate $2 to the Cancer Society if you send it to one person, $4 for 2 people and so on. This is important as the lives of these patients lies in your hands. Thank you

I have seen several of these type messages and the try to hit a soft spot. To start with Mirabilis doesn't have a clue whether or not you forward it. What I don't like about this some people think they a really helping others this way I have gotten this in random chat several time from people who were trying to lend a hand.

If you want to donate to the American Cancer Society, Click here for their web site. But please don't forward this worthless chain message to your friends.

 

MESSAGE: I checked it out, and it really is true It''s on Mirabilis Home Page: They are requesting a payment to each message you send. If you want to vote against it, click foward and send this message to everyone. If the number of vote is larger than 3000 then they won''t start charging. Forward this to EVERYONE (please please please)!!! remember to erase the "wrote by" section.

Well this is an old one but seems to come around every so often. There is no such message on the Mirabilis Home Page since that shoots this down in the first sentence I will stop here.

Message:WARNING!!!!!! If you recieve an e-mail titled "JOIN THE CREW" DO NOT OPEN IT! IT WILL ERASE EVERYTHING on your hard drive! Send this letter out to as many people you can.......THIS IS A NEW VIRUS and not many people know about it! This information was received this morning, 08/09/97, from IBM, please share it with anyone you know that might access this.

For more information on "Join the crew" click here.

Message: IF YOU GET AN E-MAIL THAT SAYS PENPAL GREETINGS OR JOIN THE CREW DO NOT OPEN IT IS A VIRUS...... JUST GOT THE MESSAGE FROM IBM THIS MORNING PASS IT ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN!!!

The penpal virus is Hoax for more click here. If you want to see what IBM had to say about the penpal virus click here

Message: WARNING: If you receive an E-mail titled "Win A Holiday" DO NOT open it. Delete it immediately. Microsoft just announced this yesterday. It is a new malicious virus that will erase your hard drive. At this time there is no remedy. Forward this to everyone immediately.

This "virus is also a hoax for more info click here, If you do not believe me why not check out the section the US government has on virus hoaxes, CIAC, (of course I understand if you do not believe them )