Does May First People Link have an Instant Messaging (IM) service?

WARNING: We are currently in testing/demo mode any created accounts at this point are for experimentation only and will probably be deleted We now have a XMPP/Jabber server running for our members. The technology is similar to GoogleTalk and Facebook Chat. You will be able to communicate with people that are currently using google talk, however although Facebook chat uses the same technology they remain to use it in a closed garden preventing communication with other XMPP servers. You will also be able to communicate with Riseup.net users who have opted to use their built-in XMPP server.

Below are instructions for creating an account

Pidgin

Download and install Pidgin (Cross platform for Linux, OSX, and Windows).

Go to Accounts --> Manage Accounts --> Add

In the Add Account Window

Click on Protocol drop-down menu Select XMPP

Username: <Type a username>
Domain: im.mayfirst.org
Resource: <leave blank>
Password: <Create password>

You can select Remember Password if you would otherwise leave it unchecked and Pidgin will ask everytime you start Pidgin.

You can also create a local alias for how you see your own user name in the chat window

At the bottom of the window click the Check box next too

Create this new account on the server

then Click Add.

When you login your should receive a Welcome message for registering on the server. You can now add of other friends to your account.