Download Pidgin Client
To Download and Install Pidgin for linux go here.
Download the Pidgin Client for windows from here.
Please follow the web site instructions for downloading.
The current stable version is 2.0.2
Install Pidgin Client
- Double-click the Pidgin installation file. Windows warns you that the publisher cannot be verified. Since this file is
from Fermilab support, click Run to allow the installation.
- Choose the language that you wish to use with Pidgin and click OK.
- The setup wizard starts. Click Next to continue.
- Read the Pidgin license agreement (GPL2), and if you agree, click Next.
- Select the components that you wish to install and click Next. The default selections work for most Fermilab users.
- In the Destination Folder box, type the directory you wish to use for Pidgin. We recommend installing
Pidgin in C:\Program Files\Pidgin.
- The Pidgin installation will begin. When the installation is complete, click Next to continue, then click Finish to run Pidgin and complete the configuration.
The first time you run Pidgin, you must configure it for your accounts and the Fermilab environment. - Click Add to add your chat accounts to your configuration.
See Configuring Pidgin (below) for more.
Configuring Pidgin for FNAL's Jabber Server
- In the Pidgin Login Screen, click Accounts, then click
Add. The Add Account dialog appears.
- Type your FNAL email ID into the Screen Name box. For example, if your email address is ericcartman@fnal.gov, then ericcartman is your Screen Name.
- Type jabber.fnal.gov into the Domain box.
- Type the name you want to give this account in the Resource box. For example, Work or FNAL or Fermilab.
- Type your SMTP password into the Password box. This is your smtp password that you use to send email and not your IMAP password used to read email. If you don't know what that password is, contact the helpdesk at x2345 and have it reset.
NOTE: Do not check Remember Password. Pidgin's XML config file stores passwords in clear text which compromises the security of your accounts.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- In the Connect port field, make sure port number 5222 is entered and click Save.
Configuring Chat Buddies
Pidgin refers to people you instant message with as buddies. In order to communicate with someone, you must first add them to your buddy list.
- Click Buddies , then Add Buddy . A dialog box will pop up asking for details about the person you want to add.
- Type the screen name of the person you want to IM into the Screen Name box.
A person's screen name is their email account name followed by @jabber.fnal.gov
(for example: yourbuddyemail@jabber.fnal.gov ).
- Type the alias for this screen name into the Alias box. This alias will be shown instead of their screen name
- Select a group for your new buddy from the Group dropdown list.
- Select the account you want to use to communicate with this buddy from the Account dropdown list. Unless you have configured additional accounts and protocols, this will default to your account on jabber.fnal.gov.
- Click Add.
To get your buddy's IM account, see the FNAL Directory.
Configuring Buddy Groups
Pidgin allows you to organize your buddies into different groups (e.g., family, friends, co-workers, etc). This can be useful if you maintain a large list of buddies. Follow the three steps below.
- Click Buddies on the menu bar, then Add Group.
- Enter a new group name then click Add.
- When you add a buddy, select the group to place them in (see Adding and Configuring Buddies above).
Additional configurations
Pidgin has a number of configuration options available under Tools in the menu bar, then Preferences. You can alter the formatting of messages as well as the Pidgin buddy list, adjust the behavior of Pidgin when you are not available for IM, configure plug-ins for additional features, or make other changes.
Launching Pidgin
Click Start, Programs , then click Pidgin.
Post-installation cleanup
Any cleanup issues that users may have to take care of after installing the software.