Getting Started With Gaim

Before You Begin

If you have never used instant messaging before, be sure to read the Section called Instant Messaging Basics. You should also create an account on one or more of the IM services as described in the Section called Protocols and Registration.

Finally, make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet.

Starting Gaim

To start Gaim choose it in the menu. Position of it in the menu depends on the operating system you are using; for example, on Red Hat Linux, you will find Gaim in Main Menu->Internet->More Internet Applications. You can also start Gaim by typing gaim on the command line. Gaim accepts a number of command line options; type gaim --help for a list.

When you start Gaim for the first time, you will see the logon window as shown in . Click on Accounts button to enter the information about your accounts. This is described in the Section called Managing Your Accounts.

Signing on

After starting Gaim you need to "sign on" (also called log on), i.e. connect to the corresponding server and let it know that you are available for conversations. You can have Gaim automatically sign on after startup up by enabling Auto-login option in Accounts dialog. You can also sign on manually at any time by using Accounts dialog.

If none of your accounts use auto-login, Gaim will open Login window. Select the account you want to use from the dropdown list, enter the password if necessary, and click on Sign On button.

After connecting, Gaim will open Buddy List window, which is the main Gaim window. You can now send and receive instant messages and join chats as described below.

System Tray Icon

Going Away

One frequently needs to get away from a conversation for a short time (for example, because you need to go away from your computer) without ending the conversation. In such situations, Gaim provides a way of letting your partners know that you are away, so that they do not expect immediate replies to their messages. This can be done by clicking on Away button or choosing Tools->Away in Buddy List window.

To set your status to "away" for all currently connected accounts, choose Set All Away in the Away menu. To set away status for one of the accounts, choose this account name in the Away menu. You will also need to select your "Away message" as described below.

When you set your status to "away", you can also select a message to be sent to all active conversations. Some IM protocols only allow you to choose this message from a predefined list, usually including messages such as Away From Computer or Out To Lunch. Other protocols allow you to set your own away message. You can define your own custom away messages in Preferences dialog. When you select an account that allows custom away messages in the Away menu, you will be shown the list of the custom away messages you have set in Preferences. FIXME: need more info about setting custom away messages.

Signing off

To disconnect one of your accounts from the server (also called "logging off", or "signing off"), open Accounts window and deselect Online check button next to this account. To sign off all currently connected accounts, choose Buddies->Signoff (Ctrl-D) in the Buddy List window.

To exit Gaim close Buddy List window or choose Buddies->Quit (Ctrl-Q).