Red Hat Knowledgebase

This article assumes that GAIM is installed and currently running on your system. Please see additional articles in our Knowledgebase on how to install GAIM on how to create an account.

After selecting the "Sign On" button (in the lower right) on the GAIM main window, your buddy list should appear after the connection is made to the Instant Messenger server. You can add buddies by selecting the "Buddies" menu, then choose ""Add a Buddy" from the menu selections. Alternatively, you can type Ctrl+B to perform the same function.

In the "Add a Buddy" window, enter the Screen Name of the person you would like to add. You may optionally enter an alias (nickname) for that person which will be displayed in place of the screen name whenever possible. Select the Group and Account to finish this task and when you are finished, click the "Add" button. You buddy should now appear in your buddy list.

To send a message (chat) to a buddy in your buddy list, double-click on the buddies screen name or alias in the buddy list. A chat window will appear and you can type your message in the lower entry box. When you press Enter, your message will be sent and you should be able to see the chat dialog in the main dialog box above the entry box.