Changes between Version 20 and Version 21 of Using Pidgin

Timestamp:

May 29, 2007, 5:53:58 PM (17 years ago)

Author:

John Bailey

Comment:

--

Using Pidgin

@@ -4 +4 @@
 
 == All Platforms ==
+
+=== How do I use AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, Jabber/XMPP, ICQ, or any other protocol? ===
+Use the Account Editor (Accounts->Add/Edit) to add the account of the appropriate messaging service.  Use the checkbox in the account editor to enable the current account.
+
+=== How do I change the font Pidgin uses?  The background color? ===
+The font preference in Pidgin applies only for the formatting of outgoing messages on those protocols which support said formatting.  The display fonts used by the rest of Pidgin are those specified by GTK+, the toolkit we use to create the user interface.  To change this font, you need to edit your `~/.gtkrc-2.0` file.  On Windows, this file is located at `C:\Documents and Settings\username\.themes\Default\gtk-2.0\gtkrc`.  If that file does not exist, simply create it.
+
+As an example, you can put this into `.gtkrc-2.0` to change the font size for all GTK+ applications:
+{{{
+# Sets the font used by all gtk applications.
+gtk-font-name = "Verdana 9"
+}}}
+
+Alternatively, you can do this to change the font size for other elements:
+{{{
+# This is the style section.  You need this for the examples below.
+# If you are going to copy the example, copy the entire block,
+# including the "{" and "}" lines.
+style "imhtml-fix"
+{
+    font_name = "Sans 10"
+}
+
+# This will apply the font style just shown to various components.
+# If you are going to copy the example, copy the line that does
+# what you want.
+
+# Conversation entry box--where you type.
+widget "*pidgin_conv_entry" style "imhtml-fix"
+
+# Conversation history pane--where you read the conversation.
+widget "*pidgin_conv_imhtml" style "imhtml-fix"
+
+# Log viewer--where you read stored logs
+widget "*pidgin_log_imhtml" style "imhtml-fix"
+
+# formatting-capable entry areas (IMHtml widgets) in request dialogs
+widget "*pidgin_request_imhtml" style "imhtml-fix"
+
+# formatting-capable notification areas in dialogs (again, IMHtml widgets)
+widget "*pidgin_notify_imhtml" style "imhtml-fix"
+}}}
+
+Background colors can be changed similarly, by finding the correct widget names and setting appropriate bg elements.  Other widgets in Pidgin can be controlled in a similar manner.
+
+You could also switch GTK+ themes.  Themes and information on using them can be found at http://themes.freshmeat.net, http://art.gnome.org, or by searching on your favorite search engine, such as Google.
 
 === How do I make Enter make a newline and Ctrl+Enter send? ===
@@ -16 +62 @@
 widget "*pidgin_conv_entry" binding "my-bindings"
 }}}
+
+=== How do I make Pidgin use emacs-like keybindings? ===
+Locate or create your `.gtkrc-2.0` file and insert the following:
+{{{
+gtk-key-theme-name = "Emacs"
+}}}
+You will need to restart Pidgin when you have finished.  Note that this will affect other GTK+ applications as well.
 
 === How do I bind keystrokes to menu items? ===
@@ -47 +100 @@
 === How do I use/make smiley themes? ===
 See [wiki:SmileyThemes the page on smileys].
+
+=== Why are the status icons so big? ===
+We believe that, by adding a second line of text to each buddy list entry, we're able to show more information about each buddy on the buddy list.  The "Big List," as we call it, shows status text and idle time concisely and attractively.  Most importantly, it puts the buddy icon in the list, making it far easier to locate buddies within a large list where names are harder to pick out than images.  Due to the increased usability of this interface, we have made it the default.
+
+We are aware that some people feel more comfortable using an interface more similar to IM clients they may have used in the past.  The 'Big List' can  be disabled by un-checking "Show buddy details" in the Buddies menu.
+
+=== How do I get sound to work correctly? ===
+Pidgin uses gstreamer to play sounds.  Playing sounds directly through esound or arts is no longer supported.  To compile Pidgin with support for gstreamer you need libgstreamer0.10-dev and its dependencies.  These packages are named differently on different platforms.  If you do not wish to install these packages you can also just change your sound playing method in preferences to `Command` and use `esdplay %s` or `artsplay %s`.
+
+=== How do I make Pidgin use ALSA or OSS for playing sounds?  What does the "Automatic" option do? ===
+The "Automatic" option lets gstreamer pick how the sounds are played.  You can use the `gstreamer-properties` tool to control this if you use GNOME.
 
 == Windows Specific ==