How to Manage Multiple IM Accounts at the Same Time for Free
What to do
- Download and install the free open source GAIM software from here. Click on a blue link for your operating system. You will be asked to choose a mirror (a mirror is basically a place you can download from). Click the blue software link on any mirror to download the software.
When you are done installing, launch GAIM.
- Click on the Accounts button. An Accounts window will open – in that window, click on the add button.
Click on the protocol field to choose an IM service, and then fill in your Screen Name and Password. Check the Remember Password box if you want GAIM to remember your password for this service, and check the auto-log-in if you want to be automatically signed into that IM service when GAIM is launched.
Click on the save button to save that account. Repeat for each IM service you want to install.
GAIM now supports Google Talk as well – if you want to add your Google Talk to GAIM, read Google’s instructions on how to do so.
From now one, when you launch GAIM, you can click on the Accounts button. In your Accounts window, check the online box next to an IM service if you want to use it. Un-check the box if you would like to log out of that IM client. All your contacts for each IM service will be maintained in one buddy list!
A little more
GAIM is free software with no ads. GAIM’s greatest advantage is that it allows you to maintain all lot of IM clients with one piece of software – for example, that means you can be logged into MSN Messenger, AIM, and Google Talk at the same time and have all your buddies show up in one window (you can tell from which IM client a buddy is from by looking at the icon next to the screen name).
Note: You CANNOT currently use GAIM to make phone calls over instant messenger – if you use Google talk, AIM, Yahoo Messenger, or another IM client to make phone calls messenger-to-messenger through the Internet, GAIM is not the software for you.
You can learn more about GAIM here.
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