Red Hat Knowledgebase

This article assumes that you have an active connection to the Internet.

First off, you need to have an existing account from YIM (Yahoo Instant Messenger) or AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) to use on GAIM. In order to create an account, you will need to visit the websites listed below to establish an IM profile:

• YIM (Yahoo Instant Messenger) - http://www.yahoo.com
• AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) - http://my.screenname.aol.com

Once your profile is created on your choice on Instant Messenger services, you can created a new GAIM account with your screen name and password. Start the GAIM application by going to the Main Menu, select Internet, then Instant Messenger or IM. Select the "Accounts" button in the main window (lower left). This will open he account editor window where you can enter your account information.

Once the account editor window is open, select the "Add" button in the lower menu bar. Populate the Login Options with your Protocol (AIM/ICQ, Yahoo, etc.) Screen Name, Password, Alias, and other options of your choice. Click "OK" once you have completed your GAIM account information. Your new account should appear in the account editor window. You can now close that windows (unless you have additional accounts to add).

Unfortunately, you must restart GAIM in order to log in with your new account. Once you restart the GAIM application, you can choose your screen name from the drop down menu (if it is not already there) and enter your password is you did not ask GAIM to remember you password for you in the Login Options. Select the "Sign On" button (in the lower right) to view your buddy list.