Using Miranda IM to chat in MSN, IRC, ICQ and more
- Introduction
- Installing Miranda IM
- Setting up Miranda IM for the First Time
- Setting up irc
- Setting up MSN
- Setting up ICQ
- Setting up Yahoo!
- Setting up AIM
- Completing Setup and Using Miranda IM
- Conclusion
Introduction
Miranda Instant Messenger is a free Windows program that lets you chat with people using all the most popular chat and instant messaging protocols. From a normal install, you will be able to chat with people in your MSN, IRC, ICQ, AOL, Yahoo! and even Jabber contact lists!
Installing Miranda IM
It’s easy to install Miranda IM. Simply go to http://www.miranda-im.org/release/download.php, click the "Web Installer" link, select the mirror you want to download from, then download the installation program and run it.
 Miranda IM Website |
 Download Mirror |
Once you start the installer, a window will appear, welcoming you to the setup program. Simply click "Next", and a license agreement will appear, which you need to accept if you want to install the program. Click "I Agree".
 Welcome Screen |
 License Screen |
The next screen is a list of components you can choose to install. The only components you need to worry about are under "Networks". Under networks is a list of networks that Miranda IM can talk to by default (MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber and Gadu Gadu). If you have accounts with any of these networks, you can use Miranda IM to chat on them. Select the networks you want to use Miranda to chat on, then click "Next".
 Components Screen |
You will then be taken to the standard "Location" and "Start Menu Folder" screens, which you will recognise if you have ever installed a Windows program before. Unless you have special requirements, just click "Next" at the Location screen, then "Install" at the Start Menu Folder screen.
 Location Screen |
The Miranda IM Installer will now download all the components it needs to install, and install them on your system.
 Miranda IM Installing |
Once the Miranda IM Installer is finished, it will let you know, and give you the option of running Miranda IM. If you want to set up Miranda IM now, leave the option checked, and click "Finish".
 Miranda Setup Completed |
Setting up Miranda IM for the first time.
When you first run Miranda IM, you will be shown a series of notifications that you need to configure your details for all the networks you chose to connect to. Simply click "Cancel" or "OK" to all of these, and we’ll set them up in a moment.
You will now see that Miranda IM is running, from a red icon - 
- in your system tray. The red icon means that you aren’t connected to any networks yet. You need to configure your login details for each network, so Miranda can connect to them.
Double-click the red icon to open the main Miranda Window. You will see that it’s empty of contacts, and the network icons at the bottom of the windows are greyed out because they aren’t connected.
Click the Miranda icon at the top-left of the window, then select the "Options …" menu item. A window will open with the program options. In the left pane of the window, scroll down to Network, and you will see the various networks you chose to connect to. Before proceeding to setting up your networks, make sure the "Show expert options" checkbox at the bottom left is checked.
 Main Miranda IM Window |
 The Options Menu Item |
 Left Pane in Options |
Setting Up IRC
From the Network options, choose "IRC". You will be shown a series of IRC options. Here’s how to set up Miranda IM to connect to #cairnschat:
- From "Server name", select "Ascends: Random Server".
- Enter the nickname you wish to use in the Nick field.
- Enter the alternate nickname (in case your nickname is already being used when you connect) in the "Alternative Nick" field.
- Make sure the "Enable" checkbox is checked in the Reconnect area. This ensures that if your connection to IRC drops out, Miranda will attempt to reconnect. Set the Retry count to however many times you would like Miranda to try to reconnect if it drops out.
- All other options here should be fine, however check the screenshot to make sure your options are similar.
 IRC Options |
Now, click "IRC Advanced" in the left pane, and check "Enable" in the Perform area. From the "Network" selection box, choose "Ascends", and in the text box, enter "/join #cairnschat" without the double quotes. This will ensure that every time you connect to irc, you automatically join the #cairnschat channel.
 IRC Advanced Options |
Setting up MSN
- Click on the MSN option under Networks, in the left pane.
- Enter your MSN identity (the email address you use to connect to MSN) n the Full e-mail field.
- Enter your MSN password in the Password field.
- If you want to enable user pictures in Miranda IM, make sure the "Enable Avatars" checkbox is checked in the Avatars area. You can also set your own display picture by clicking Set and choosing your image.
That’s it! Setting up MSN is a bit easier than IRC.
 MSN Options |
Setting up ICQ
ICQ is also very easy to set up.
- Click on the ICQ option under Networks, in the left pane.
- Enter your ICQ number in the ICQ number box.
- Enter your ICQ password in the Password box.
Done!
 ICQ Options |
Setting up Yahoo!
Another easy one.
- Click on the YAHOO option under Networks, in the left pane.
- Enter your full Yahoo! email address in the ID field
- Enter your Yahoo! password in the Password field.
That’s it!
 Yahoo! Options |
Setting up AIM
- Click on the AIM option under Networks, in the left pane.
- Enter your AIM screen name in the Screenname field.
- Enter your AIM password in the Password field.
- Enter your desired Display Name in the Display Name field.
Done!
 AIM Options |
Completing Setup and Using Miranda IM
Once you have set up all your networks in Miranda, click "OK" to save your settings and exit the options window, then click the Miranda IM icon in the main Miranda window, and select "Exit". Now, from your start menu, start Miranda IM again.
To connect to each network, simply open up the main Miranda window, then click the icon for each network, and select the "Online" status.
Conclusion
There are plenty more things you can do to customise how Miranda IM works for you. The best place to find more information is to go to the Miranda IM Forums, and also the Miranda IM Plugin area. If you have some of your own tips in how to use Miranda IM, or if you need some help, feel free to leave a comment!
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