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+[Pidgin][4], [formerly known as Gaim][1], has just release version 2.0 of the widely popular open-source instant messaging client. Pidgin 2.0 offers multi-protocol chat support and a robust plug-in architecture for third party developers.
+
+Though many may be confused by the name change, Pidgin is retains all of the features present in its former incarnation as Gaim, however, version 2.0 represents a significant interface overhaul.
+
+Part of Pidgin's appeal lies in the simplified interface.
+
+Much like the excellent Mac IM client [Adium][5], Pidgin divides the interface into two primary windows -- a buddy list and a tabbed chat window.
+
+Buddies can be divided into groups and status icons indicate connectivity, though one thing I missed from Adium were differentiated icons for different services. In Adium it's easy to tell at a glance who's on what network, but Pidgin uses a single icon for the whole list regardless of the network.
+
+Speaking networks, perhaps the best reason for Pidgin's name change (aside from outstanding legal issues) is that it now supports all the common IM networks including, AIM, Gadu-Gadu, Groupwise, ICQ, IRC, Jabber, MSN, QQ, SIMPLE, Yahoo, and Zephyr.
+
+In this day and age I still don't understand why IM users bother with proprietary clients that run on individual networks. Some might argue that the growth of in-browser Ajax IM clients renders Pidgin obsolete, but for those that like keeping IM tasks in a separate application, Pidgin is hard to beat.
+
+Anil Dash [recently called][2] Pidgin the "Firefox of IM," and the latest release certain has Pidgin heading in that direction. Pidgin is free, open source and has a recently re-written,  plug-in architecture which allows outside developers to create customized features.
+
+The only remaining question is whether Pidgin will catch on with users the way Firefox did.
+
+The official Pidgin site seems to be suffering from the Digg effect, but you can grab a copy of the [latest version][3] from Sourceforge.
+
+
+[1]: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/04/aol_forces_gaim.html "AOL Forces Gaim Name Change"
+[2]: http://www.dashes.com/anil/2007/04/26/is_pidgin_the_f "Is Pidgin the Firefox of IM?"
+[3]: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=235&package_id=230234&release_id=505814 "Sourceforge: Pidgin"
+[4]: http://www.pidgin.im/ "Pidgin"
+[5]: http://www.adiumx.com/ "Adium X"
+\ No newline at end of file