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Using Miranda (portable) IM
by Robin Snyder  ,  robin@RobinSnyder.com , source: DCOM/im-03 [NV/asp]
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1.0 Using Miranda (portable) IM

    If you do not already have a USB drive, you should get one.

    There are many places to get one, such as http://www.buy.com . They keep becoming more and more inexpensive.


    Here is a start at how to install, configure, and use the open source Miranda (portable) IM.

    The Miranda IM web site is at http://www.miranda-im.org/ [as of Mon, Feb 19, 2007].


    More information on the OSI (Open Source Initiative) is at http://www.opensource.org/docs/certification_mark.php [as of Mon, Feb 19, 2007].


    This page describes how to install and use the portable open source Miranda Instant Messaging solution.



2.0 Portable


3.0 Portable application

    A portable application in a software application that can be moved from computer to computer via a storage device such as a USB drive.
    So, Miranda Portable can be moved from computer to computer without having to install Miranda on each computer. It also means that you can move and have access to your history of messages that are stored on the storage device.

4.0 Yahoo email account

    To use Yahoo Messenger on Miranda, you first need a Yahoo email account, which is free. If you do not have a Yahoo email account, go to http://www.yahoo.com and get one.

5.0 Yahoo Messenger

    Do not install or try to run "Yahoo! Messenger" on a lab computer! It won't work.
    If you are not already running "Yahoo! Messenger", skip to the installation step for Miranda. If you are running "Yahoo! Messenger", you will want to stop Yahoo Messenger and configure it to not automatically start when you start your computer. Do this before installing and configuring Miranda. One way to do this is as follows.

    • Right-click on the "Yahoo! Messenger" icon in the tray (right part of the task bar).
    • Select "Show Yahoo! Messenger".
    • Uncheck the checkbox for "Sign in automatically".


    The "Yahoo! Messenger" icon (in the tray) appears as follows.



6.0 Install portable Miranda

    Save the Miranda Instant Messaging (portable version) by clicking on   Software: Miranda (portable ANSI version)  software to your USB drive. If you want the most recent version, go to http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/miranda_portable [as of Mon, Feb 19, 2007] and select the ANSI (for older computers) or UNICODE (for newer computers). The examples here use the ANSI version. Once it is saved, you can "Open" it on your USB drive. This will allow you to install "Portable Miranda" to your USB drive.
    It may help if you remember the drive letter assigned to your USB drive. Suppose that the USB drive is E:.
    Do not confuse the Miranda Portable installation program with the "MirandaPortable" folder that is created when you install Miranda Portable.
    When you start the installation on the USB drive (where you saved the installation program), it will suggest that you save it on that drive, such as E:. Select "Install" to install Miranda Portable.


7.0 Run Miranda portable

    Once installed, you can run Miranda Portable by opening the "MirandaPortable" folder on your USB drive.
    Now, in the folder, open the executable program for Miranda Portable. One way to do this is as follows, for drive E:.

    • In "My Computer", open drive E:.
    • Click on the "MirandaPortable" folder.
    • Open the "Miranda Portable" executable.

    This is the method that you can use to start Miranda Portable after you have inserted the USB drive into the computer.



8.0 Customize portable Miranda

    The first time that you run Miranda Portable, the "Miranda IM Profile Manager" dialog box opens. You must create a "Profile" name, such as "Workplace". I usually give it my userid, such as "snyderr" for me. Then select "Create".
    You now have the option of creating accounts for various instant messaging systems.
    If you do not have an AIM account, select "Cancel".
    If you do not have an ICQ account, select "Cancel".
    In the "Miranda IRC" dialog box:

    • Under "Nick", specify the name you want people to see. For me, it might be "Dr. Robin".
    • Under "Full Name", specify your full name (or what you might want people to see). For me, it might be "Robin Snyder".


    If you have existing contacts and message history in "Mirabilis ICQ" or "Miranda IM profiles" you can import it. Otherwise, select "Cancel".
    In the "Tray" area of the bottom right hand corner of the screen, you will see a little gray figure. That is the MirandaPortable process.



9.0 Miranda IM window

    One way to see the "Miranda IM" windows is as follows.

    • Right-click on the Miranda icon in the tray.
    • Select "Hide/Show".


    The Miranda chat room form allows you to access instant messaging. You might want to resize the window.



10.0 Configure Yahoo IM

    Select the Miranda icon (right under the "Mirandi IM" in the upper-left corner of the window) and select "Options...". The "Miranda IM Options" dialog box appears.
    Under "Network" select "YAHOO". Important: You must use your Yahoo login name as your Yahoo ID. For example, if your Yahoo email address is RobinMartin78@yahoo.com, then your Yahoo login name is RobinMartin78.
    Fill in the following.

    • Under "ID:" type your Yahoo ID. Mine is RobinMartin78.
    • Under "Password:" type your Yahoo password.
    • Under "Nick:" type your Yahoo nickname. Mine is Robin.
    • Change the "Port:" from 5050 to 80.
    • Check the box for "AutoLogin to Yahoo".
    • Select "Apply"

    When you are done setting options, select "OK".



11.0 Connecting

    • Select "Status", "YAHOO", "Online".

    If everything works, you should now be online with Yahoo. If you get an error message that you could not be logged in, read the message. You may not have properly set up your Yahoo connection information.
    Other IM systems, such as Microsoft Windows Messenger can be set up in a similar manner.

    • For Microsoft Windows Messenger, make sure you set the option to use the HTTP gateway.

    If you find needed settings for other IM systems, please let me know.
    Another way to connect quickly is to select the "Yahoo" button at the bottom right of the "Miranda IM" screen, right click, select "Yahoo", and select "Online".



12.0 Add contacts

    If the user you want to contact is already a friend, you can skip to the section on contacting a friend. You now need to add some friends. I may not be your friend, but you should add me anyway.

    • Select the Miranda option, "Find/Add Contacts".


    • Under "Search:" select "YAHOO".
    • Under "ID" specify the name of the contact, such as RobinMartin78.
    • Select "Search".

    Note that this will only work if you are already connected to Yahoo Messenger. Select that name. Select "Add to list". You can provide a "Custom name:" that is more meaningful, such as "Dr. Robin Snyder". Select "Add".



13.0 Authorization process

    What I would see when this happens is an authorization box. Once I authorize the user, they can initiate a conversation with me.
    You need to click on the names of any friends that are flashing to "Authorize" those users. Once the user you are adding authorizes you, you can initiate a conversation.

14.0 Contacting a friend

    To contact a friend, double click on the name of the friend to open the chat window. Type a message in the message area and press Enter (or select the button to send the message).

15.0 Future topics

    • plug-ins and add-ons


16.0 Acronyms


17.0 Vocabulary


by Robin Snyder  ,  robin@RobinSnyder.com , source: DCOM/im-03 [NV/asp]