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Adium: Simply the best IM app out there

Adium is a free, open source instant messaging (IM) application created especially for the Mac OS X operating system. Unlike IM tools like AOL Instant Messenger or GoogleTalk, Adium can be used to connect to several different messaging services at once. Adium’s easy installation, robust features, and outstanding community support make it a must-have in every Mac user’s toolbox.

Installation and setup:

Download the application files from Adium’s website, then locate the .dmg file on your computer (it will be similar to “Adium.1.1.4.dmg”, depending on what version you’ve downloaded). Right-click on the file to begin installation, then drag and drop the Adium icon into your applications folder to complete the process.

To set up Adium so it will access your screen names at various Web-based IM services, click on the Preferences option under “Adium” in the toolbar. Choose the client you want Adium to access – AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, etc. -- and enter your screen name and password. Click “OK” and repeat to set up additional screen names.

Adium’s preferences can be adjusted a number of ways, and you can even add a picture to your profile that will show up in the chat screen of anyone who IMs you. To change the way Adium looks on your computer, click on the Appearance tab in the Preferences dialog box. That’s where you can change the Adium icon that sits on your desktop, as well as the color of your theme, and the style of the chat window.

Other tabs in the Preference pane include options for changing icon and profile information, adjusting background and font styles, altering sounds, and importing address books.

IMing with Adium:

Using Adium to chat is as easy as falling off a log. Just select the screen name of the person you want to contact and open a dialog box, then start typing. Icons to the left of each contact let you know at a glance who’s online, who’s away from their computer, and who’s not online at all.

If you want to log into Adium -- to be accessible to your spouse, for example -- but don’t have time for idle chit-chat, you can easily customize a message that others will see next to your name. Just double-click on the status field underneath your name, and type the message you want others to see: “Busy working,” “Hi, honey!”, “TGIF!” -- whatever’s on your mind.

If you have Adium installed on more than one Mac, any changes you make to your contact list will be reflected on all computers, no matter where you sign in. Changes made through the Preference pane to Adium’s appearance and behavior won’t be changed however, since those alterations are stored on the computer’s internal files.

Adium is so user-friendly and easy to customize that many people consider it their IM client of choice. Since it allows users to log in to several IM services at once, Adium makes managing screen names a snap -- and saves you from having a bunch of extra login windows open at once.

Happy Chatting!

Adium is supported by a devoted base of users that volunteer their time to constantly upgrading and improving the application. Since Adium is free, no “official” technical support exists, however the website and responsive user community are great resources for solving virtually any issue you may encounter.

Once you’ve gotten the hang of how Adium works, there are dozens of themes and plugins available for “dressing up your duck.” Available right from the website, you can download new status icons, sounds, message styles, emoticons, and more. You can even dress up the Adium icon duck in the jersey of your favorite sports team!

You also don’t have to worry about making sure you have the latest version of Adium since it automatically checks for updates whenever you log on (but it won’t download anything or make changes without your permission).

If you try Adium and decide it’s not right for you, simply open your Applications folder, find Adium in the list of programs, and drag it to the trash. You’ve got nothing to lose, so what are you waiting for? Have a look at Adium Instant Messenger for Mac.

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• open source
• adium
• instant message
• instant messenger
• IM

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