Pidgin is a multi-headed IM client, meaning, it can run multiple IM services. It's in the same class of IM clients as Trillian, Miranda IM, Digsby (which is WAY better in that it also manages social networking sites), etc.

So, when you log into Pidgin using your AIM name, it's just like you're on AIM. Pidgin is just a different interface to AOL. But, tha advantage is that you can also use Pidgin to use your MSN or Yahoo accounts to talk to people on MSN or Yahoo. I think Pidgin has GTalk support, too...not sure.

Another advantage of something like Pidgin for AIM users (and this may be why the friend installed it) is that it's gloriously ad and nag free. It doesn't put spyware all over your PC, and it isn't the memory hog that AIM is. (Speaking of memory hogs, Digsby has a bit of a memory leak right now, so don't ditch Pidgin for Digsby just based on what I say up above...unless you're into all the services Digsby manages, it might not be worth it. If you're just using AIM and nothing else really, stick with Pidgin or Miranda IM for now.)

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Egads! Complicated! It was Steve L. who put it on here. I guess I should have asked for more details. Does it work with yahoo? Because that (and gmail, I supposed) are the only IM thingies I've used.

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Yep, it definitely works with Yahoo. Here's the website with list of services if you're interested:
http://www.pidgin.im/

Also, here's the FAQ so you can learn more about how it works:
http://developer.pidgin.im/wiki/FAQ

(I kind of suspected Steve might be the culprit here. ::sigh:: I end up explaining his installation decisions to alot of people. ;-) )

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Oy, really? He helped me when my laptop went kablooie. Is this something I shouldn't have on my computer? I don't IM much anymore, except now and then through gmail.

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Steve is great. :) I didn't mean to sound critical (or maybe I did...hmm). It's just that he, like many techies, has a bad habit of doing things to a person's computer "for their own good" without explaining to them why or what to expect or why it's better (or how to go back to their way if they decide they don't like the new thingie). I'm not fond of that approach.

Pidgin is a lovely IM client, and using it is MUCH better than using AIM. But, if your IM usage is mainly confined to Gmail's IMming, I'd say to take Pidgin out of your startup (and I can help with how to do so if needed) and just run it when/if you want to talk to someone on AIM. There's no sense in running it (or anything) all the time if you're not really using it.

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I'm mrroyko on AIM and Yahoo, and roykootje on gmail.

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