Phrank's Ubuntu Blog

I've wanted an Instant Messenger to use between our home computers. Useful for sending links and small files easily to each other.
But I don't want to make everyone sign up for a gmail/whatever account.

Here's how to do it using Pidgin and Zeroconf!

Pretty simple...

1. Install Pidgin / Zeroconf

Ubuntu:

Windows:
Download & Install Pidgin - http://pidgin.im/
And Bonjour (Zeroconf) - Get it from Apple's website:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/Bonjour_for_Windows

Mac:
Download Fink (Which I have not tested)
http://pidgin.im/download/mac/
OR just use iChat (probably better, also not tested):
http://www.helponechild.org/help/ichatbonjour.html
OS X Comes with Bonjour installed

2. Configure Account

Add a new account (Accounts -> Manage Accounts)
Set the protocol to "Bonjour"
Create a unique "Username" for each client
Use the _SAME_ "Hostname" for ALL clients
Set "Local alias" the same as "Username"
Save!

3. Configure Auto-start on Login

Since I've set this up for other people in my family and I want them to have Pidgin running, I set the Windows clients to start on login
Windows
(Tools -> Plugins)
Enable the "Windows Pidgin Options"
Select "Configure Plugin"
And check "Start Pidgin on Windows startup"

Ubuntu
Go to "System -> Preferences -> Sessions"
"Add"
And fill in with the following info:

Then in Pidgin -
Tools -> Plugins
Check "Extended Preferences"
"Configure Plugin"
And check "Hide buddy list at startup"

Now just repeat these steps on each home computer and you will have your very own in-house IM system!