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The Beige Years

How AOL Bought the Internet's Favorite App—And Killed It

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ICQ's coder Yair Goldfinger bet it would stay under 5,000 users; 19 months later AOL paid $287 million.

How unemployed Israelis on Salvation Army mattresses built the messenger AOL then fought Microsoft to keep locked shut.

Subject
ICQ, 1996
Chapters
8
Sources
8
Credits
139
Corrections
0

Sources

8
  • Article3
  • Interview3
  • Archive1
  • Book1

The sources the story leans on most, primary sources first. Read dates are when the page was consulted; the live page may have changed since.

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
  3. [3]
  4. [4]
    Article Esther Dyson's Release 1.0

    23 March 1998

    archive.org/details/release-1.0-03-98 ↗
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
    Archive www.icq.com as archived 8 April 1997: the site of Instrumentation et Contrôle Québec.

    www.icq.com as archived 8 April 1997: the site of Instrumentation et Contrôle Québec.

    web.archive.org/web/19970408062228/http://www.icq.com:80/ ↗
  7. [7]
  8. [8]

Image & music credits

139
  • License unknown122
  • CC BY-SA 4.07
  • CC BY 2.52
  • CC BY-SA 3.02
  • CC BY-SA 2.02
  • CC BY 2.01
  • CC BY 4.01

136 photos, 1 music track, from the hosts linked below. Each file name links to the file's page, which carries the full license terms.

#UseFileAuthorLicense
1 Photo icq99a license notice.png ICQ 99a Beta on Windows 98, frame from 'Install ICQ99a in 2021' (YouTube omkYUigC_qc), cropped License unknown
2 Photo goldfinger 1998 calcalist.jpg Yair Goldfinger in 1998 (photo: Shalom Bar Tal), via Calcalist/CTech, 28 May 2024, cropped License unknown
3 Photo icq99b contact list closeup.png ICQ 99b on Windows 98, frame from Byte5's recording (YouTube YcMpxsxYejw, 2025), cropped License unknown
4 Photo jrep not a cent hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
5 Photo PikiWiki Israel 58105 jaffa - old city.jpg Ariel Manor CC BY 2.5
6 Photo pr1996 dateline hl.png Mirabilis press release 'E.T. Surf Home', Tel-Aviv, 15 November 1996, as kept on company.icq.com (archived 2 Jun 2003), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
7 Photo Silicon Valley, facing southward towards Downtown San Jose, 2014 (cropped).jpg Coolcaesar CC BY-SA 3.0
8 Photo U.S. Robotics Sportster Message Plus-0340.jpg Raimond Spekking CC BY-SA 4.0
9 Photo Im-icq in colours.svg Oren neu dag CC BY-SA 2.0
10 Photo icq2000b contact list tight.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
11 Photo nplusone chat wars.png n+1 magazine, issue 19 (2014), rendered License unknown
12 Photo icq2000b two lists.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
13 Photo cnet backs off 1999.png CNET News.com, 18 November 1999 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
14 Photo jrep zappa 3d hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
15 Photo founders 1998 calcalist.jpg Yair Goldfinger and Arik Vardi in 1998 (photo: Shalom Bar Tal), via Calcalist/CTech, 28 May 2024 License unknown
16 Photo jrep pingpong hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
17 Photo SonySPP E100 CT1+04 res.jpg Phrontis CC BY-SA 3.0
18 Photo win95 dun connected.png Windows 95 desktop with the Dial-Up Networking 'Connected to' dialog (r/windows95), cropped License unknown
19 Photo jrep buddy list hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
20 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Yossi Vardi, 2005.jpg David Sifry, Wikimedia Commons, 2005 (CC BY 2.0) License unknown
21 Photo cnbc vardi swear hl 2018.png CNBC, 2018, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
22 Photo jrep best product hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
23 Photo jrep windows programming hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
24 Photo Sun SPARCstation IPX.jpg htomari CC BY-SA 2.0
25 Photo jrep no ads hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
26 Photo icq2000b buttons.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
27 Photo jrep brochure 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
28 Photo El Al - Boeing B747-400 - Tel Aviv Ben Gurion - 4X-ELD-1230.jpg Raimond Spekking CC BY-SA 4.0
29 Photo San Jose LRV 809 northbound on First St near San Carlos St (1993).jpg Steve Morgan CC BY-SA 4.0
30 Photo jrep datsun hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
31 Photo Downtown San Jose, California 2 2018-09-28.jpg FASTILY CC BY-SA 4.0
32 Photo jrep sunnyvale hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
33 Photo icq logo lowercase large.png ICQ logo, 1990s, from a poster, set large License unknown
34 Photo pr1996 announced hl.png Mirabilis press release 'E.T. Surf Home', Tel-Aviv, 15 November 1996, as kept on company.icq.com (archived 2 Jun 2003), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
35 Photo logos win95 winnt padded.png Windows 95 logo.svg and Windows NT logo.svg, Wikimedia Commons, set side by side License unknown
36 Photo jrep mattresses hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
37 Photo jrep 40 friends hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
38 Photo mirabilis awards 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
39 Photo jrep two million hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
40 Photo icq99a install complete.png ICQ 99a Beta on Windows 98, frame from 'Install ICQ99a in 2021' (YouTube omkYUigC_qc), cropped License unknown
41 Photo icq2000b free for chat.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
42 Photo jrep no life hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
43 Photo icq99b global directory.png ICQ 99b on Windows 98, frame from Byte5's recording (YouTube YcMpxsxYejw, 2025), cropped License unknown
44 Photo U.S. Robotics Sportster Message Plus-0342.jpg Raimond Spekking CC BY-SA 4.0
45 Photo icq2000b contact list desktop.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
46 Photo icq2000b online flower macro.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped, close crop License unknown
47 Photo mirabilis merchandisers hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
48 Photo mirabilis home 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
49 Photo mirabilis tshirt hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
50 Photo mirabilis carwindows hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
51 Photo mirabilis chainletters 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
52 Photo mirabilis airwater hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
53 Photo icq99a login uin.png ICQ 99a Beta on Windows 98, frame from 'Install ICQ99a in 2021' (YouTube omkYUigC_qc), cropped License unknown
54 Photo globes one in five hl 1998.png Globes, Mirabilis profile, 11-12 February 1998, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
55 Photo mirabilis largest hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, headline highlighted License unknown
56 Photo logos mtv espn padded.png MTV logo.png and ESPN logo.png, Wikimedia Commons, set side by side License unknown
57 Photo jrep 738109 hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
58 Photo toy story 1995 poster.jpg Toy Story (1995) original poster (atthemovies.uk) License unknown
59 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Yossi Vardi 2009.jpg Loic Le Meur, Wikimedia Commons, 2009 (CC BY 2.0) License unknown
60 Photo jrep million 22 days hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
61 Photo globes commercial potential hl 1998.png Globes, Mirabilis profile, 11-12 February 1998, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
62 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Yossi Vardi by David Shankbone.jpg David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons, 2007 (CC BY-SA 3.0) License unknown
63 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Building92microsoft.jpg Building92microsoft.jpg, Wikimedia Commons License unknown
64 Photo aol4 connecting.png America Online 4.0 sign-on screen, frame from YouTube SHM94CF5c2Q, cropped License unknown
65 Photo globes depressing hl 1998.png Globes, 'Selling Souls', 24 May 1998, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
66 Photo jrep holland hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
67 Photo jrep dog hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
68 Photo jrep execution hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
69 Photo aol 8k mirabilis 1998.png America Online, Inc., Form 8-K, filed 11 June 1998 (SEC EDGAR 0000883780-98-000023), Item 2, set in its own text License unknown
70 Photo icq99a folder.png ICQ 99a Beta on Windows 98, frame from 'Install ICQ99a in 2021' (YouTube omkYUigC_qc), cropped License unknown
71 Photo jrep dishwasher hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
72 Photo Carroll Gardens Motorcycle repair shop.jpg postopp1 CC BY 2.0
73 Photo nplusone dubious hl 2014.png n+1, 'Chat Wars' by David Auerbach, issue 19 (2014), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
74 Photo cnn blocked hl 1999.png CNN, 'Microsoft instant messenging app sparks code war', 23 July 1999 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
75 Photo nplusone roadblock hl 2014.png n+1, 'Chat Wars' by David Auerbach, issue 19 (2014), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
76 Photo Brain-virus.jpg Avinash Meetoo - avinash@noulakaz.net - http://www.noulakaz.net/ - Avinashm at en.wikipedia CC BY 2.5
77 Photo bugtraq aim overflow 1999.png Richard M. Smith, Bugtraq, 23 August 1999 (seclists.org), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
78 Photo 1990s home computer office New Orleans.jpg Infrogmation of New Orleans CC BY-SA 4.0
79 Photo logo microsoft 1987 padded.png Microsoft Logo 1987-2011, set on white License unknown
80 Photo bucking from 1999.png Geoff Chappell, 'The Phil Bucking Correspondence' (geoffchappell.com), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
81 Photo bucking ip 1999.png Geoff Chappell, 'The Phil Bucking Correspondence' (geoffchappell.com), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
82 Photo cnet will not communicate hl 1999.png CNET News.com, 18 November 1999, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
83 Photo fcc 01-12 icq hl.png Federal Communications Commission, FCC 01-12, 22 January 2001, page 60, footnote 379 (docs.fcc.gov), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
84 Photo crs rs20688 cover.png Congressional Research Service, RS20688 (2002), via Wikimedia Commons, rendered License unknown
85 Photo icq com 2001 home.png ICQ, www.icq.com, 2001 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
86 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Skype Logo.png Skype Logo.png, Wikimedia Commons License unknown
87 Photo logo vk padded.png VK Full Logo (2021-present).svg, Wikimedia Commons, set on a plain ground License unknown
88 Photo register icq stop working hl 2024.png The Register, 27 May 2024, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
89 Photo logos aol to vk.png America Online logo.svg and VK Full Logo (2021-present).svg, Wikimedia Commons, set with an arrow License unknown
90 Photo logos slack discord teams padded.png Slack, Discord and Microsoft Teams logos, Wikimedia Commons, set side by side License unknown
91 Photo jrep unpaid hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
92 Photo jrep annus mirabilis 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered License unknown
93 Photo jrep bet hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
94 Photo icq2000b desktop e.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
95 Photo globes vigiser hl 1998.png Globes, Mirabilis profile, 11-12 February 1998, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
96 Photo sticky note icq number.jpg generated photograph of a period monitor (Nano Banana), the note's handwriting added License unknown
97 Photo pr1996 peer to peer hl.png Mirabilis press release 'E.T. Surf Home', Tel-Aviv, 15 November 1996, as kept on company.icq.com (archived 2 Jun 2003), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
98 Photo icq2000b connecting.png ICQ 2000b on Windows 98, frame from 'ICQ 99a working on Windows 98' (YouTube GQi3L3r2TLs), cropped License unknown
99 Photo jrep 400 left hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
100 Photo jrep university hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
101 Photo mirabilis download hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
102 Photo pr1996 headline hl.png Mirabilis press release 'E.T. Surf Home', Tel-Aviv, 15 November 1996, as kept on company.icq.com (archived 2 Jun 2003), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
103 Photo aim warning buddy list.png AOL Instant Messenger screenshot (justinakapaste.com, AOL screenshots) License unknown
104 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Yuri Dud 2017.png Yuri Dud 2017.png, Wikimedia Commons License unknown
105 Photo mirabilis chain circulating hl 1997.png Mirabilis, www.mirabilis.com, 10 December 1997 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
106 Photo jrep winzip hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
107 Photo jta no revenues hl 1998.png Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 10 June 1998, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
108 Photo aol 8k 120m 1998.png America Online, Inc., Form 8-K, filed 11 June 1998 (SEC EDGAR 0000883780-98-000023), Item 2, set in its own text License unknown
109 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Steve Case.jpg Steve Case.jpg, Wikimedia Commons License unknown
110 Photo https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Microsoft sign closeup.jpg File:Microsoft sign closeup.jpg, Wikimedia Commons License unknown
111 Photo nplusone interop hl 2014.png n+1, 'Chat Wars' by David Auerbach, issue 19 (2014), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
112 Photo nplusone management liked hl 2014.png n+1, 'Chat Wars' by David Auerbach, issue 19 (2014), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
113 Photo nplusone hex hl 2014.png n+1, 'Chat Wars' by David Auerbach, issue 19 (2014), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
114 Photo nplusone this is code hl 2014.png n+1, 'Chat Wars' by David Auerbach, issue 19 (2014), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
115 Photo bugtraq fixed not used 1999.png Richard M. Smith, Bugtraq, 23 August 1999 (seclists.org), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
116 Photo bucking heading 1999.png Geoff Chappell, 'The Phil Bucking Correspondence' (geoffchappell.com), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
117 Photo bucking body 1999.png Geoff Chappell, 'The Phil Bucking Correspondence' (geoffchappell.com), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
118 Photo nyt embarrassment hl 1999.png The New York Times, 13 August 1999 (Columbia Law School copy), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
119 Photo bucking exploiting hl 1999.png Geoff Chappell, 'The Phil Bucking Correspondence' (geoffchappell.com), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
120 Photo fcc 01-12 icq hl zoom.png Federal Communications Commission, FCC 01-12, 22 January 2001, page set close, line highlighted License unknown
121 Photo crs rs20688 not compatible.png Congressional Research Service, RS20688 (2002), page 6, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
122 Photo Concordia 02 04 2018 (2).jpg ArthurBaz CC BY-SA 4.0
123 Photo https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/gwgAAOSww8hnqZAo/s-l1200.webp eBay listing photo License unknown
124 Photo icq99b contact list closeup.png ICQ 99b on Windows 98, frame from Byte5's recording (YouTube YcMpxsxYejw, 2025), cropped License unknown
125 Photo jrep dinner hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
126 Photo jrep 850000 hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
127 Photo register shut down for good hl 2024.png The Register, 27 May 2024, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
128 Photo https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/PikiWiki Israel 58105 jaffa - old city.jpg File:PikiWiki Israel 58105 jaffa - old city.jpg, Wikimedia Commons License unknown
129 Photo jrep seed funding hl 1998.png The Jerusalem Report, 'Annus Mirabilis', 1998, as archived 2 Jun 2003 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
130 Photo winzip70 win98.png WinZip 7.0, screenshot from WinWorld (winworldpc.com) License unknown
131 Photo ms launches msn messenger hl 1999.png Microsoft press release 'Microsoft Launches MSN Messenger Service', 21 July 1999, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
132 Photo ms aim users hl 1999.png Microsoft press release 'Microsoft Launches MSN Messenger Service', 21 July 1999, rendered, line highlighted License unknown
133 Photo bucking subject hl 1999.png Geoff Chappell, 'The Phil Bucking Correspondence' (geoffchappell.com), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
134 Photo icq com users counter 2001.png ICQ, www.icq.com, 2001 (Wayback Machine), rendered, line highlighted License unknown
135 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Yossi Vardi 2015.jpg Wikimedia Commons, 2015 License unknown
136 Photo https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/German Klimenko, 2016.jpg Wikimedia Commons, 2016 License unknown
137 Music Andreas Viklund - Faraway Love.wav "Faraway Love (1997)" by Andreas Viklund (TSEC) CC BY 4.0

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Corrections

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