Pidgin

This is a guide to Pidgin, a free-as-in-freedom instant messaging client with support for many messaging protocols.

Accounts
To add an existing account:
 * 1) Accounts > Manage Accounts
 * 2) Click "Add".
 * 3) Fill-in the form, choosing Protocol, entering User Name, and switching between Basic, Advanced, and Proxy tabs.
 * If you choose to enter password, beware that it is stored on your computer unencrypted. From a security standpoint, entering your password to be stored with your account is inadvisable.
 * 1) Click "Add".

To disable an account without deleting it:
 * 1) Accounts > Manage Accounts
 * 2) Uncheck "Enabled" at the account

To delete an account:
 * 1) Accounts > Manage Accounts
 * 2) Select the account.
 * 3) Click "Delete"

Logging
By default, Pidgin logs all instant messages you send and receive to a file. To change this:
 * 1) Tools > Preferences
 * 2) Logging
 * 3) Uncheck "Log all instant messages"

Buddies
To add a buddy:
 * 1) Buddies > Add Buddy...
 * 2) Fill-in the form

To remove a buddy:
 * 1) Right-click on the buddy in the buddy list
 * 2) Choose Remove

Chat
To start a chat:
 * 1) Buddies > Add Chat...
 * 2) Enter Room, Exchange, Alias and Group

Files
To send a file to a buddy:
 * 1) Right-click on the buddy in the buddy list
 * 2) Choose Send File...

Protocols
Supported protocols:
 * Bonjour
 * Gadu-Gadu
 * IRC
 * Lotus Sametime
 * MySpaceIM
 * MXit
 * MSNP
 * Novell GroupWise
 * OSCAR (AIM, ICQ, MobileMe)
 * SIP/SIMPLE
 * SILC
 * XMPP/Jingle (Google Talk, Jabber, Facebook Chat, LJ Talk, Gizmo5, etc.)
 * YMSG (YIM only basic chat and file transfers)
 * Zephyr

Shortcuts
Keyboards shortcuts:
 * New Instant Message...: Ctrl+M
 * Join a Chat...: Ctrl+C
 * Get User Info...: Ctrl+I
 * View User Log...: Ctrl+L
 * Add Buddy...: Ctrl+B
 * Quit: Ctrl+Q
 * Manage Accounts: Ctrl+A
 * Custom Smileys: Ctrl+Y
 * Plugins: Ctrl+U
 * Preferences: Ctrl+P
 * Set Mood: Ctrl+D
 * File Transfers: Ctrl+T
 * Mute Sounds: Ctrl+S
 * Online Help: F1
 * Mute Sounds: Ctrl+S
 * Online Help: F1
 * Online Help: F1

Preferences
To edits preferences aka settings:
 * Tools > Preferences

Versions
The latest release is 2.10.7 from 2013-02-14.

Links:
 * Pidgin files at sourceforge.net
 * ChangeLog, release notes at pidgin.im
 * FullChangeLog release notes at pidgin.im

Gallery
See also Commons:Category:Pidgin (instant messaging client).