Though Tencent has had an English version of the QQ software since 2005, until recently English-speaking QQ-wannabes had to bribe their Chinese friends to do the registration process for them, asking them to signup and get them a coveted QQ # that can be plugged into the software and connect you to the Chinese IM world.

No longer. Now us Anglophones can share in the QQ craze too.

To get started, simply download the English version of QQ (this is a PC version, but it appears Mac and Linux versions are in the works). To complete installation, you'll need a unique QQ account/number. This is obtained by signing up for a QQ account here.

H/T to Nicholas Stanosheck.

Also, check out QQ signup help by Thijs Terlouw, an employ at Tencent who runs a handy Web site about Shenzhen, and China.