Twitter & Pidgin

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a tool designed to answer one question "What are you doing?" Some call it "micro blogging" or "blogging for the ADD," but I like to think of it as a global chat. It's a way for you to keep up with others, get to know people, and expand your network.

The concept is:

• You sign up.
  
• You follow people and read their "tweets" (a message on Twitter).
  
• People follow you and read your tweets.
  

What is Pidgin?

Pidgin, formerly known as "Gaim", is a multi-protocol Instant Messaging client that allows you to use all of your IM accounts at once.

For example, if you have a GTalk account, you can use Pidgin as you IM client.

<Random side story>
For a long time I used Trillian and my multi-protocol IMer but certain features you have to pay for, like XMPP. At the same time I was looking for a portable IM'er (I'm a portable app
nut, but that's for another post). Then I came across Pidgin Portable and I was sold. (Later "Unofficial" versions can be located at Vane Parole)
</ Random side story>

Where the two shall meet!

In Twitter under "Settings > Phone & IM"

Twitter can send tweets to three IM account types that support XMPP (GTalk, LiveJournal, Jabber).

A couple of pitfalls.

Twitter only allows 140 characters on each tweet. Pidgin, out of the box, doesn't count characters. However, you can add the Character Counting plug-in.

If you have an away message up, and you get a tweet, Pidgin will auto tweet back with your away message.

Final Thoughts

I think the combination is quite nice. There are richer Twitter clients out there, but for what I need Pidgin serves me well.

Come children, follow me into a brave new world of communication, and addiction.