Tencent QQ

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“QQ” redirects here. For other uses, see QQ (disambiguation).

QQ2006 Main User Interface

QQ.com's old logo

QQ.com's logo

Tencent QQ, generally referred to as QQ, is the most popular free instant messaging computer program in Asia, and the world’s third most popular IM service ^[1]. The program is maintained by Tencent Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0700), owned in part by Naspers.^[2] Since its entrance into Chinese households QQ quickly emerged as a modern cultural phenomenon, now being portrayed in popular culture. Aside from the chat program, QQ has also developed many subfeatures including games, pets, ringtone downloads, etc.

1 Naming
2 Usage
3 Development
- 3.1 Membership
4 Merchandise
5 Controversies and criticisms
6 QQ Coin
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Naming

The original name of QQ was OICQ (believed to have either meant Open ICQ or Oh, I seek you). However, because of the possible trademark infringement with another popular instant messenger (ICQ), and also the fact that neither the program nor the protocol is considered "open", Tencent renamed its IM software to QQ and purchased [qq.com] for millions of RMB.

[edit] Usage

It is estimated that there are over 160 million QQ users in China. As of 5 March 2005, there are an average of 9 million people online at any one time on the Mainland China server.

Outside of China, QQ usage is extremely limited, except in South Africa, where it has been used for at least two or three years and has inspired a song by local band The Finkelsteins called "QQ Me". QQ is used by people who want to communicate with people inside those countries. Examples include expatriates, international students and people studying Chinese.

After 2006 Hengchun earthquake, transpacific undersea cables were damaged, and many Chinese switched to QQ due to the inavailablity of other options. ^[3]

[edit] Development

QQ was initially developed by Tencent Inc. in February 1999. It was first released as a "Network Paging" instant messenger. Then other features were successively added such as chatrooms, games, personal avatars (similar to "Meego" in MSN), internet storage, and internet dating services. Most of these features were free. Its variety of features and easy-to-use interface made it very popular, especially among teenage users. In a few short years it was the most popular instant messenger in China.

The current version of QQ is QQ2006. Tencent periodically releases special versions of QQ to coincide with events such as the Olympics or Chinese New Year.

The official client runs only on Microsoft Windows, but Linux users can talk to friends on the QQ network by installing a third-party plugin for Gaim or one of a number of third-party clients. Several third-party clients also exist for the Mac OS X platform. The web version, which is based on Ajax, is currently in Beta^[4].

User Interface of Tencent Messenger

In response to competition with Windows Live Messenger, Tencent released Tencent Messenger, which is targeted to business people. It also provides features that are only available to premium members in normal QQ, but its effect is limited.

[edit] Membership

QQ allows free registration for membership. However, the registration was very congested and needed a few retries. In 2002, QQ stopped its free membership registration, requiring all new members to pay a fee. But Tencent reopened the free membership registration in 2003, due to pressure from other instant messengers such as Windows Live Messenger and Sina UC. Tencent currently offers a premium membership scheme, which offers features such as mobile QQ, ringtone downloads and SMS sending/receieving, but most users are unwilling to pay the price of 10 yuan (about $1.25 USD) per month.

[edit] Merchandise

Tencent have grasped the halo effect of the QQ brand, and have set up many Q-Gen stores selling QQ branded merchandise such as bags, watches and clothing.

[edit] Controversies and criticisms

QQ has faced many criticisms and controversies.

[edit] Keyword filtering

On August 2004, QQ Games began filtering keywords such as "钓鱼岛" (Diaoyu Islands) and "保钓" (Movement to protect the Diaoyu Islands). This act caused much controversy and Tencent has since lifted the filter.^[5]

[edit] QQ real group name scheme

On July 21, 2005, Tencent announced its intention to follow orders set by Shenzhen Police and enforce the requirement of real names for all the administrators and founders of QQ Groups. This caused much controversy on whether it can prevent the spread of pornographic and other indecent messages, or whether it intrudes on one's privacy. However, the difficulty of enforcement made the real name registration optional. ^[6]

[edit] Plagiarism

Like most IM clients, QQ has been known to copy its competitors' features. The interface of early version of Tencent messenger was almost identical to ICQ, but as it developed, it started to look more like Windows Live Messenger. The interface of QQ is Luna themed. In addition to interfaces, QQ has also been known to copy code and text from its competitors. For example, one release contained Skype's EULA, allegedly as an April Fools' Day joke .^[7]

[edit] Resource usage

The resources required to run QQ have increased substantially since it was first released, which has caused some people to turn to third party "lite" versions.

[edit] QQ Coin

The QQ coin is a virtual currency used by QQ users to "purchase" QQ related items for their avatar and blog. QQ Coins are obtained either by purchase, one coin for one RMB, or for using the mobile phone service. The People's Bank of China, China's central bank, says it is investigating the possibility of cracking down QQ coin, due to people using QQ Coins in exchange for real world goods.^[8] Tencent claims the QQ coin was merely a regular commodity, and thus not a currency. ^[9]