Pidgin: A Free Multiple Instant Messaging Client
Posted on 14. Oct, 2009 by Prasanth Chandra in Software
Pidgin is a freeware which enables you to access multiple chat protocols simultaneously. This means you can take part in a group conversation on Google Talk, hang in a Yahoo Chat Room or chat with a friend on Skype, and you can do all these tasks at the same time on a single chat interface which is the most amazing feature about Pidgin.
Let’s learn more about the great features of Pidgin.
Supported Instant Messengers
If you are wondering about the number of chat networks that Pidgin supports, here is the list:Yahoo!, Google Talk, AIM, Bonjour, MSN Messenger, Jabber, XMPP, Gadu-Gadu, Zephyr, MySpaceIM, QQ, Novell GroupWise Messenger, Lotus Sametime, SIMPLE, SILC and Skype. The best part is that list can keep expanding by just adding in plugins for new instant messaging services that pop up.
Other Features
If you are thinking that Pidgin is just meant to share messages, you are in for a nice surprise. Pidgin can be used to transfer files smoothly, and it also allows you to make use of the features like Offline Messages, Notifications and many more.
Pidgin even notifies you about the new mail received on any of your mail account while you are using this amazing IM Client. You can tweak your Pidgin by adjusting the sound settings when any of your friends comes online.
Plugins
You can enhance the performance of this wonderful IM client by customizing the whole application with a number of amazing plug-ins. Pidgin comes with many default plug-ins like Rediffbol, Twitter Protocol, WinMX Peer Network for sharing files, Guifications which provides “toaster” popup notifications, Music Tracker which displays the music track currently playing and many more. In total, the basic version of Pidgin comes bundled with 21 useful plug-ins.
Conclusion
Pidgin works efficiently on Windows, Linux, and UNIX operating systems, and it integrates wonderfully on the System Tray of Windows OS. It is certified by GNU General Public License which enables its users to customize this free source code to fulfill their requirements.
Go ahead and get Pidgin and chat with your Yahoo Buddies, MSN friends and friends on many other IM Clients. Pidgin is considered as one of the most powerful IM client because of its robust design and plug-in capability.
By Prasanth Chandra from PCsPlace.com, recently started Review Unit where you can find Reviews and News about Gadgets, Software, Hardware and Web Apps. Catch him on Twitter @pcsbox and Facebook
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Chris Smith
14. Oct, 2009
Pidgin is awesome! I use it only on Windows and Linux though mostly because I can’t find a good package of it for OS X.
I have used Pidgin since the days of Gaim. I’ve always wondered why they rebranded it; possibly because it is close with AIM? If you have several IM accounts (most do) and are still using each companies IM management system, I think it may be time to make the switch to something more efficient like Pidgin.
Thanks for pushing out the Pidgin love!
Kyle Judkins
14. Oct, 2009
Pidgin and Digsby are definitely my favorite choices for multi-protocol instant messenging. It makes life so much easier.