Gaim (and Plugins)

Gaim is a free instant messaging client that supports multiple protocols on Linux, Windows, Mac and others. I use it on my Ubuntu Linux computer and my Windows XP computer. Gaim will round-up all your instant messaging clients you use into one simple user interface. For example, I use Yahoo, MSN, AIM and Gmail. My buddy list for all of these appear in one window together. Therefore, you can log on to many different accounts at once.

EDIT: GAIM IS NOW CALLED PIDGIN, SO MOST THESE COMMANDS AND INFO ARE NOW OBSOLETE.
VISIT http://www.pidgin.im/ FOR MORE INFO.

Gaim runs beautifully on it's native platform GNU/Linux, but if you are using Windows, you will have to use WinGaim and download the GTK+ runtime environment for it to work on Windows. You can download the Windows Gaim build with GTK+ here. If you are using Ubuntu, use apt to get Gaim sudo apt-get install gaim or Automatix2 will install Gaim as well. Otherwise, you can use the downloads page for all other distros and Windows.

The Plugins is really what makes Gaim special. I just started using the Guifications plugin [Screenshot]. This plugin displays "toaster" popups in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Simalar to MSN, it will popup when a buddy signs on, signs off, goes idle, goes un-idle, etc. What's cool about this plugin is that it's highly configurable; You can install Themes for these popups. I am using The Gremlin Black Theme, which matches perfectly with the black theme I am using for Ubuntu called Neutronium [Screenshot]. The Guifications plugin is in "Universe" backport of Ubuntu so you can use sudo apt-get install gaim-guifications. Or you can use the downloads page for other distros and Windows.

Another plugin that's a must-have, is the Extended Preferences plugin. I mainly just use this plugin to hide the buddy list on startup. Whenever I startup Ubuntu, Gaim will start and the buddy list will be showing. I wanted Gaim to start while only seeing the Gaim icon in the taskbar, so this plugin does the trick. On Ubuntu use sudo apt-get install gaim-extendedprefs or use the downloads page for other distros and Windows.

Gaim-Encryption is another one that I use. It will use up to 4096 bit RSA encryption and keys are automatically transmitted and stored making it resistant to man-in-the-middle attacks. You can use sudo apt-get install gaim-encryption or use the downloads page for other distros and Windows.

Why use 2 to 3 separate Instant Messaging clients when you can have all of them in one place? There are many different Instant Messaging clients similar to Gaim that you could use, but it's Gaim's plugins that makes it what it is.