Instant Messaging: Pidgin (formerly GAIM)

Many members of the GLAST community use the Trillian instant messaging service to facilitate rapid communication between members, though some prefer to use Pidgin (a successor to GAIM). Unfortunately, Trillian is only available for Windows machines.

If you are using a gnomish version of Linux or Unix you can use Pidgin which acts like ICQ.

For explicit instructions and links for downloading, compiling, installing, and setting Gaim up to use an ICQ account, visit the Pidgin website. Redhat RPMs are available for easy installation.

Notes:

• Pidgin will not create an ICQ account. However, you can sign up for an ICQ number on the web. Much like the windows client, Trillian Gaim supports many IM protocols, including AIM, MSN, yahoo, jabber, and IRC.

• Guilli Johannesson is maintaining a list of icq numbers with access to gaim and Trillian formatted files. (Password protected: requires collaboration name and password.)