Frequently Asked Question

Using any XMPP (Jabber) server is easy and quick to set up. There are a myriad of servers available, both public (often linked to multiple servers) and private (stand alone) servers. Private servers are usually better as they provide more privacy and less populated by trouble makers. There are two kinds of private servers, open access (like ours) and restricted access (where you will need the admins to create your account for you).

Two decent XMPP (Jabber) clients for desktops/laptops are pidgin, nice and lean, best for Windows users, and gajim

This article will be for Pidgin.

We also assume since you're reading this that you have not used XMPP/Jabber before, so wont have an existing account anywhere to sign into, so we'll create a new user in our example.

Let's get started

Initial login

Your default screens should look like this...

• Click ADD
  
  

Set the Protocol

• Select the Protocol dropdown list and cursor down to XMPP 

Now we can add an Account

• Enter a username you wish to be known as, in this example we use deletethis
• Then in the domain section enter the server you want to connect to, in this example we will use ours,  ims.ausics.net
• Enter a password, one that you do not use anywhere else!
• Check the box Remember Password
• Under Local alias, you can enter your username
• Then check the Create this account on server box
• Check all the info you entered for accuracy, then click Add
  
  

Register with the Server

• You should now be presented with another box XMPP Client Registration
• This information is similar to what you entered above, but this step registers you on the server
• Enter your username, like shown (without the @ims.ausics.net domain bit)
• In the Full Name section, you can put your username, or initials etc
• Finally, enter your email address, and the same password you used earlier, then click OK
  
  

You're in

• All going well, you should see the registration Successful box
• If need be, click Enable under Accounts on the XMPP ims.ausics.net account
  
  

Add contacts

• In pidgin, contacts are known as Buddies
• Click on buddies
• Add your contact by selecting Add buddy