The [ICQ-Flood](http://nils.jeppe.de/2005/12/11/icq-conatcts/) that [others](http://chris.quietlife.net/) have [also](http://www.teemow.com/2005/12/14/icq-spam/) reported is continuing, if at a lower rate. But that might simply be related to the fact that the weekend is over. Last night a “Suzane” from the Czech Republic messaged me, and of all those who did so until now she was by far the one with the best English (or with the highest IQ. Probably both.) Naturally, despite some smalltalk, I also asked her where she found my contact information.

She explained that she had “three pictures” at the top of her ICQ, and if you wish to contact one person you simply click on that image. Next, you get a window where you enter “personal information”.

I have now tested the current official ICQ client, and I guess the “picture” she means is a big “add user” button that is located prominently on top of the ICQ contact list. Once you click on that, you’ll get a user search window.

My *guess* is that due to the more prominent “search user” placement, people are looking for “random” people a whole lot more. I am not sure when ICQ5 was released; it seems like it has been out for a while (it’s revision 5.0.4), so there probably is no correlation there. But maybe it’s just reaching the point where so many people installed it that I am noticing an effect from it.

Who knows… but if I figure it out I’ll surely let you know.