Instant Messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is a way of communicating with friends and family by sending messages to one another over the Internet. Instant messaging happens in real-time, and there is no delay between you typing a message and the other person receiving it.

Pidgin Internet Messenger

Pidgin is an instant messenger client in Xubuntu, and was formerly known as Gaim. With Pidgin you can talk to people who use AIM/ICQ, Gadu-Gadu, GroupWise, IRC, Jabber, MSN, Napster and Yahoo, and list all your buddies in a single window.

To start Pidgin, choose ApplicationsNetworkPidgin Internet Messenger.

IRC instant messaging

For users of IRC instant messaging services, an alternative to Pidgin is XChat. Its features include advanced scripting support (perl and python) and a clean, easy to use interface.

  1. Install the xchat package from the “Universe” repository (see 11장. 프로그램을 추가, 삭제, 업데이트하는 방법).

  2. To start XChat, choose ApplicationsNetworkXChat IRC Client.

Getting help using IRC instant messaging

One excellent way to get help with Xubuntu or to introduce yourself to IRC is to join Xubuntu's official support channel on Freenode.

  1. Start XChat as above.

  2. When you start XChat for the first time, it will ask you for an IRC Nickname & your real name. Pick anything you want for your nick (first initial & your last name is good, or be more creative), put your real name or part of it, and press OK.

  3. In the Server Window that opens next, select Ubuntu Servers, and press Connect.