Using Pidgin

Before you can start using Pidgin, you must have an existing IM account with one of the providers listed above. You must type your IM login details into Pidgin.

Note: If you do not have an existing account registered with one of the providers listed above, and would like some help to do so, please refer to section 4.1 How to Create a Google Talk account.

2.1 How to Create a Pidgin account

Step 1. Select: Start > Programs > Pidgin to run Pidgin.

Figure 1: The Pidgin Buddy List Welcome screen

Step 2. Select: Accounts > Manage to activate the Accounts screen as follows:

Figure 2: The Accounts screen

Step 3. Click: to activate the Add Account screen as follows:

Figure 3: The Add Account screen displaying Basic and Advanced tabs

Step 4. Click the Protocol drop-down list to view supported messaging service protocols as follows:

Figure 4: The Add Account screen displaying the Protocol drop-down list

Step 5. Select the protocol that corresponds to your account.

Note: Different IM service providers will display their specific text fields for you to fill in. Some of them are automatically filled in (for example, if you select Google Talk, both the Domain and Resource text fields are completed for you). However, all services require that you enter a screen name, local alias and a password.

Step 6. In the Screen name field, type in your email address, (for example, terence.thetester@gmail.com)

Step 7. In the Password field, type in your password for this specific account.

Step 8. In the Local Alias field, type a nickname you would like to be identified by. (This field is optional.)

Important: Check the Remember password option if you want Pidgin to remember your password. However, to optimise privacy and security, it would be better to leave this unchecked, so that Pidgin will prompt you for your password whenever you connect. This way, other people are prevented from logging in and pretending to be you, when you leave your computer unattended for a period of time. Also, remember to exit or quit Pidgin when you have finished your messaging session!

A completed Add Account screen would resemble the following:

Figure 5: Example of a Completed Add Account form

Tip: Google Talk, IRC, SILC and XMPP clients can easily request an encrypted connection. Please read section 4.2 How to Enable a Secure Connection for more details.

Step 9. Click: to complete adding your account. This will simultaneously activate the updated Accounts screen and the Buddy List screen as follows:

Figure 6: The Accounts screen updated                                                                            Figure 7: The Buddy List screen in Active mode

After you have completed these steps, you are ready to add IM contact information for your friends (or "buddies," as they are referred to in Pidgin).

2.2 How to Add a Buddy

Step 1. Select: Buddies > + Add Buddy as follows:

Figure 8: The Buddy List with the Buddies menu activated

This will activate the following screen:

Figure 9: The Add Buddy screen

Step 2. Select your account, where you are using the same messaging service as your 'buddy'.

Note: Both your buddy and yourself must be using the same messaging service, even if he/she is not using Pidgin. For instance, if you have only added a Google Talk account to Pidgin, you cannot add a buddy who uses MSN or Yahoo to this account. However, you can register and use multiple accounts simultaneously in Pidgin, thereby chatting with one buddy over Google Talk and with another over Yahoo or MSN.

Step 3. In the Screen name field, type in your buddy's email address. (Remember: In Pidgin, a Screen name generally refers to an email address.)

Step 4. In the Alias field, type in a nickname for your buddy.

Step 5. Click:

Note: After you have added a buddy, a message will be sent to him/her requesting his/her approval and authorisation for your request.

Figure 10: The Authorize buddy confirmation dialog box

After your buddy has authorised the request, he/she should follow similar steps to request your account.

Figure 11: The Add Buddy screen displaying buddy information

You will receive an authorisation request from them as follows:

Figure 12: The Add Buddy screen

Step 6. Click the Authorise button and your buddy will appear in the Buddy List as follows:

Figure 13: The Buddy List screen featuring a newly created buddy

2.3 How to Chat with Your Buddy

Step 1. Right-click on your buddy's name to activate a pop-up menu listing all the tasks you can perform as follows:

Figure 14: The Buddy tasks menu

Step 2. Select IM from the pop-up menu to activate a chat window as follows:

Figure 15: A typical chat window in Pidgin

Now you're all set to chat with your buddy using Pidgin. However, you must perform a few more steps to ensure that your chat sessions will be private and secure.