Computer Tips From A Computer Guy

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 03:30 AM PST

While Ubuntu users have Pidgin as the default messenger app, Kopete is the default application for the KDE desktop of Mandriva Linux. This application supports Windows live messenger, Yahoo, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise and many more instant messenger services. It is designed to be a flexible multi protocol system to provide users with a single application to access their instant messaging systems.

During first run, you will need to configure and set up Kopete. Select the instant messenger client you want to set up with Kopete then click next. Enter your account credentials with the instant messaging service you have selected and click next.

In the next window check the connect now option and click finish to connect to the instant messaging service you have selected.

After clicking finish, Kopete will run the KDE Wallet System. This stores and encrypts your passwords and other personal information's. In the next window check yes add supply your password for KDE Wallet and click finish.

After finishing the setup enter your password to your KDE wallet and Kopete will automatically log in to your instant messaging service.

After successfully connecting to your instant messaging service, you can now start you chat conversation with your contacts.

If you are using KDE and not Gnome, Kopete is the better choice than Pidgin. It uses less memory under the KDE desktop environment. If you want a native KDE app that can handle multiple messenger connections, this is a great program. My only problem with this program is that it currently don't support microphone and audio/video conferences.