Pidgin Instant Messenger

Pidgin Instant Messenger Client Review​

Hello everyone,

I downloaded the latest Pidgin-All in one instant messenger a few weeks back and I have to say, I'm totally impressed with the messenger and its features.

So now i am going to write my views on Pidgin.

[BREAK=What is Pidgin?]

Pidgin is an all in one instant messenger.It is formerly known as GAIM.It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac,BSD and Solaris.The word Pidgin defines a second language used as a means of communication between groups of individuals who do not share a common language.

Pidgin is compatible with the following chat networks:

* AIM
* Bonjour
* Gadu-Gadu
* Google Talk
* Groupwise
* ICQ
* IRC
* MSN
* MySpaceIM
* QQ
* SILC
* SIMPLE
* Sametime
* XMPP
* Yahoo!
* Zephyr

Pidgin also supports many languages like:

* Afrikaans
* Albanian
* American English
* Arabic
* Australian English
* Belarusian Latin
* Bengali
* Bokmal Norwegian
* Bosnian
* British English
* Bulgarian
* Canadian English
* Catalan
* Chinese
* And many more!
[BREAK=Setup and Interface]

Download Pidgin from the Pidgin Website for the required platform.

At a first run, you will be asked to set up an account, where you will provide all related information, such as protocol, screen name, password.You can then add as many accounts as you want, from the Accounts place on the menu toolbar.

I am a bit disappointed with the interface. It is quite plain and simple and there seems to be no option to spice up the interface by adding new themes. Just the same old dark blue one which I don't like.

The only thing I like is that there is no cluttering.

The picture says it all:

[BREAK=Features]

Pidgin 2.5.6 has got a lot of features and they are mentioned below -

File Transfer helps in transferring files.
Transferring files can be done with the help of this feature.

Buddy Pounce is a feature in which the user gets the ability to notify you, send a message, execute a command, play a sound, or run a program when a specific buddy goes away, signs online, returns from idle, becomes idle, or starts typing.

According to me, this is the best feature on Pidgin.

Custom Smiley Manager allows to customize your own smileys.

User Privacy is a tool which provides a very well-defined list from where you can select which users are allowed to contact you and which of them are not.

Preferences allows you to set your own preference regarding interface, conversations, smiley themes, sounds, network, logging, status. It also provides options related to the text formatting, such as font type, size or color.

Many more features are there like typing notification, away messages etc

There are way too many plugins that make it even more useful.

Well it has got many features but there are many thing that Pidgin lacks, like it does not have web camera and voice messaging support.
[BREAK=Conclusion]

Pros:
+ Compatibility with various chat networks.
+ It supports many languages.
+ Excellent Features.
+ Is free.
+ Numerous Plug-ins.
+ Low Memory Usage.


Cons:
- User interface is quite simple
- Lack of themes.
- No web cam facility.
- No voice messaging facility.


My Rating: 8/10

I recommend this Messenger to everyone.

So this was my Article on Pidgin.I would like to thank some people who have helped me a lot in editing and their never-ending support.Hope you all loved reading this...

Regards,
ɱɑɖɖʏ.

 

[vrd]

good effort.

but you might also want to notify people with the biggest con of using pidgin is that it stores your passwords in plaintext.
just go to

$HOME/.purple/accounts.xml (linux)
C:\Users\<username>\.purple\accounts.xml(vista)
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\.purple\accounts.xml(xp)

read more about it here:
http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/PlainTextPasswords

there are ways to secure your accounts.xml file. google them.

 

[linuxtechie]

Hmm have been using it ages when it was known as gaim.

~LT

 

[Dark Star]

How come a simple to use interface is a -ve point ?

I have been using kopete as it has better password manager [kwallet], the only led down is that it doesn't connect to gmail for some unknown issues :\\

 

[ɱɑɖɖÊ]

^Thank u all

@vrd-Hmm...wil chk it

@Dark Star-The user interface could have been better.Our choices differ

 

[ɱɑɖɖÊ]

good effort.

but you might also want to notify people with the biggest con of using pidgin is that it stores your passwords in plaintext.
just go to

$HOME/.purple/accounts.xml (linux)
C:\Users\<username>\.purple\accounts.xml(vista)
C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\.purple\accounts.xml(xp)

read more about it here:
PlainTextPasswords ? Pidgin ? Trac

there are ways to secure your accounts.xml file. google them.

Absolutely True:cool2:

 

[ɱɑɖɖÊ]

Pidgin 2.5.7 is out now

 

[M@crosoft]

nice job..appreciate