6.2 Adding an Account

To use Pidgin, you must already have accounts on the systems you want to use. For example, to use Pidgin for your AIM account, you must first have an AIM account. Once you have those accounts, set them up in the Pidgin Add Account dialog.

  1. Start Pidgin by clicking Computer > More Applications > Internet > Pidgin.

  2. Click Accounts > Add/Edit to open the Accounts dialog box.

    The first time you run Pidgin, or any subsequent time you start Pidgin when you don’t have any accounts set up, the Accounts dialog box opens automatically.

  3. Click Add to open the Add Account dialog.

  4. Select the protocol you want to set up.

    The Add Account dialog differs for each protocol, depending on what setup options are available for that protocol.

  5. Enter the setup options for the chosen protocol.

    Typical options include your account name and password. Your protocol might support additional options, such as a buddy icon, alias, login options, or others.

  6. Click Save.

  7. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 for each additional protocol.

After an account is added, you can log in to that account by entering your password in the Pidgin login dialog box.