Google chat setup using GAIM Pidgin howto

As per request, here's an entry that shows how to setup your Pidgin GAIM to use your Google Talk or GMail account.

Pidgin man:
Pidgin is a graphical modular messaging client based on libpurple which is capable of connecting to AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, XMPP, ICQ, IRC, SILC, SIP/SIMPLE, Novell GroupWise, Lotus Sametime, Bonjour, Zephyr, Gadu-Gadu, and QQ all at once. It is written using GTK+.


FIVE EASY STEPS:
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1. Make sure you have the latest pidgin software. To upgrade your current GAIM application using Fedora yum, simply connect to the internet and issue

# yum -y upgrade gaim

2. Make sure you already have an existing GMail account. Launch Pidgin GAIM software. Add a new your GMail account by clicking Account menu from GAIM and selecting Add from one of the dropdown menu.

3. A new Add Account window would appear. Click Add button. Simply select Google Talk from one of the Protocol dropdown selections. Complete the other required fields like screen name and password as shown below. Remember to click the Save button.


4. Now, back to pidgin window, press Ctrl+A keys to view all your Pidgin current account settings. A new Account window will appear. From the list being shown from your screen, you should be able to see your newly added Google Chat Pidgin account that makes use of XMPP protocol.

5. To start using Google chat from Pidgin, simply check or tick the Enabled tick box from the leftmost part of your Google chat account and enter your password when prompted. From here, you can starting adding your GMail friends and contacts.

Enjoy!

For more pidgin info, visit here.