Pidgin is an open source project that provides users with a multi-protocol instant messaging client that includes a wide range of attractive of benefits. It is supported under Linux, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.
Supports a wide range of IM protocols
Supported IM protocols include XMPP/Jabber, IRC, ICQ, AIM, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, Google Talk, MySpaceIM, Zephyr, Bonjour, MXit, Sametime, Groupwise, MSN, SIMPLE, Yahoo!, Yahoo! Japan, and Facebook.
Features at a glance
The application features buddy pounces, certificates, custom smileys, moods, room list, file transfers, sounds, system tray integration, spell checking, custom themes, automatic reply, idle time reporting, and much more.
Standard IM functions include the ability to add buddies, add groups, add and join chats, view user information and log, sort contacts by status, recent log activity, manually, or alphabetically, as well as to view offline buddies, empty groups, idle times, buddy details and protocol icons.
Getting started with Pidgin
When opening the application for the first time, users will be asked to create a new account, which can be customized with a local alias, avatar, new email notifications, encryption, or proxy. In addition, each protocol has its own settings and features, configurable from the Advanced tab.
Third-party plugins are available for Pidgin
A plethora of official or third-party plugins are available for Pidgin, which can add support for additional protocols, status and profile updates, enhance the security and privacy of the client, as well as to support a wide range or notification systems.
In addition, the plugins can be used to tweak the graphical user interface of the application, add Now Playing functionality, support logging and history, as well as to support many other weird functionality, such as mathematical formulas or virtual terminal.
Bottom line
Summing up, Pidgin is a really great instant messenger application of the Linux platform. It comes with built-in support for some of the most used IM protocols, and can be easily extended through plugins.
