Chapter 6. Instant Messaging with Gaim / 6.2. Setting Up an Account
	Chapter 6. Instant Messaging with Gaim		6.3. Managing Your Buddy List

Setting Up an Account

To use Gaim, you must already have accounts on the systems you want to use. For example, to use Gaim for your AIM account, you must first have an AIM account. Once you have those accounts, set them up in the Gaim Add Account dialog.

Start Gaim by clicking Computer More Applications Communicate Gaim.
Click Accounts Add to open the Add Account dialog.
The first time you run Gaim, or any subsequent times you start Gaim when you do not have any accounts set up, the Add Account dialog opens automatically.
Choose the protocol you want to set up.
The Add Account dialog differs for each protocol, depending on what setup options are available for that protocol.
Enter the setup options for the chosen protocol.
Typical options include your account name and password. Your protocol might support additional options, such as a buddy icon, alias, login options, or others.
Click Save.
Repeat Steps 2 to 5 for each additional protocol.

Once an account is added, you can log in to that account by entering your account name and password in the Gaim Login dialog.