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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"
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