First you need Gaim, a small 5 MegaBytes file. Download it from SourceForge. Gaim is a Free OpenSource Jabber Instant Messenger, that not only supports Jabber, but also ICQ/AIM, MSN, IRC, YAHOO, GADU & Napster. An all in one Client, that runs on Windows aswell as on Linux based systems, it is an ongoing project that is being worked on every day, with new versions every now and then and it have some minor bugs, but they are not critical.

Installing Gaim is very simple, just execute (double click) on the gaim-*.exe file you just downloaded, it is extremly important that you let it install the GTK package that comes with the installer, so click YES to install GTK. It takes a few seconds to install Gaim, when it is done, simply tick the "Run Gaim now" and exit the installer.

Setting up a Tides of War account is very easy, when you start Gaim for the first time it will show you two windows. In the 'Accounts' window click on ADD, this will open the 'Add Account' Window

In the 'Add Account' Window, Select Jabber from the Proctocol dropdown menu. Fill in a Screen Name (this will be both your login and your Jabber ID (AKA JiD) It's easiest just to use your Nickname). Your JiD will be screenname@tidesofwar.net (note that it looks like an EMail address but it not!). In the Server field fill in tidesofwar.net Select a password for your account. The Alias is your Nickname that you want other users to see in their Rooster (Contact List). Optional is to tick "Remember Password" and "Auto Login" (Not reccomended for shared Computers). Open the "Show more Options" menu. Untick "Use TLS if available". Tick "Force old SSL". Change the Server Port from 5222 to 5223 (5222 is the non SSL port). Finally click on Register.

If you have an existing account on Tides of War press 'Save' instead of 'Register'.

If you have an existing account on another Jabber Server, simply put that server name into the server field and click 'Save'.

If you have an existing ICQ/AIM, MSN, IRC, YAHOO, GADU or Napster account you can add them aswell, simply click on ADD again and choose the IM you want to add from the protocol dropdown menu, and fill in your info.

When you have registered your Tides of War Account, and possibly other accounts too, you are back at this picture once again. Tick the ONLINE box (autologin is optional, but will be ticked by Gaim if you choose Automatic Login in the accounts settings). You will now be taken to Tides of War's Jabber Server, and a Rooster Window will opened. Congratulations, you are now ready to chat with other Tides of War members.

Your Rooster will be empty, if you didnt add any other IM Protocols, but fear not we will fill your Rooster soon :) However the first thing you should do is go through the Preferences and get Gaim setup so it suits you. There isnt going to be any photos of the Prefs, as they vary from individual to individual, but the options are pretty much selfexplanatory. The Preferences are opened from the Tools menu and then Preference (or use CTRL+P).

When you are done with the Preferences, click on 'Buddies' in the menubar, then click on 'Add Group'. In the 'Add Group' window type Chat Rooms, then add a group more, you can name it Tides of War, then add one more group for now and name it Friends. You can always add more later.

Now to add some Contacts and Chat Rooms. Again click on 'Buddies' in the menubar and then click on 'Add Buddy' (or press CTRL+B).

In the new window type the JiD of the Contact you want to add, remember that all members of Tides of War ends on @tidesofwar.net, but you can also add users from other Jabber networks such as your friends that has an account on jabber.org etc. Give the Contact an Alias, that is the name you want to see in your Rooster. Finally select a Group to place the Contact in, and click on ADD. Some users requires that they allow you to be added to their Rooster, but others just auto accepts new Contacts, so it the time before you are allowed to join their rooster will vary from Contact to Contact. Start out by adding me, that is always a good start, and dont forget to check out our User Directory

Now lets add a Chat Room aswell. Tides of War has both Public and Private Chat rooms. We are just gonna add one Public Room now as you can add more later. Click on 'Buddies' and then on 'Add Chat'.

From the Protocol dropdown menu select Jabber. Name the room Enigma The server name is chat.tidesofwar.net Handle is the name you want others to see in you as in the Chat Room. Password is not required for this Room, but some other Rooms are password protected. Alias is the name you want the Room to appear as in your Rooster. Place the Chat Room in the group you created before.

For a full Room list click: Tools in the Menubar then on Room List. In the new window make sure that Jabber is the selected protocol, then press 'Get List' and a new window will open. In the editbox delete 'conference.jabber.org' and put in either chat.tidesofwar.net or clubs.tidesofwar.net (chat for public rooms and clubs for private rooms). Then click on 'Find Rooms', a list will appear, you can right click on a Chat Room to join it, or simply highlight it and click on the 'Join' button.

If you like to have your own room, contact Buxton, his JiD is in the User Directory.