GAIM: Connect and Use Google’s Gtalk Servers

Contributed by MickeyMouse February 10, 2006  
Tagged: Instant messaging

This tutorial will quickly walk you through connecting to the gtalk servers with GAIM.

I like the idea of gtalk and the integration into the rest of google’s suite of programs. For example, I like that I can keep my IM logs in the gmail account. However, I do not really like the gtalk program itself. I like the service, but not the program.

Since gtalk is based on jabber, however, you can use it with any jabber compatable client. Here is how to use the wonderful freeware program GAIM to connect to the gtalk/google servers.

1. Open GAIM
2. From the buddy list screen, click Tools
3. Then click Accounts
4. Click the Add button
5. Select Jabber as the protocol
6. Your screen name is your gmail login. (For example, login@gmail.com)
7. Server is gmail.com
8. Resource is Gaim
9. Your password is your gmail password.
10. Select as alias what you want to be called on your IM screen. If you leave this blank, it’ll use your whole gmail address which is way too big for your little IM screen. If nothing else, just put in Me in the alias box.
11. Click Show More Options
12. Select the Use TLS if available checkbox
13. As you connect server type: talk.google.com
14. Click Save

Addendum:
On the Beta2 version, the instructions have a few differences:
– Instead of show more options, click the advanced tab
– Unclick Require TLS