IChat/Mac

Note the new name

Apple changed the name of iChat to Messages in MacOS 10.8. So, below, when you see "iChat", think "Messages".

What version of the OS do you have?

If you are *absolutely sure* you have MacOS 10.4, then use the Windows login.
If you are on 10.5 or greater, then see below.

If you use Google Talk

Then know that this DOES NOT COUNT as an iChat. If you use Google Talk, skip to the section on "If you do NOT have an iChat account". And don't send me an invite to chat using Google Talk, i may just ignore it.

If you have an iChat / Messages account

If you have "dotMac" or "mobileMe" or "iCloud" or have signed up for "AOL Instant Messaging" then you're already all set! Just add me as a buddy!

1. log in
2. click the "add buddy" button at the bottom, looks like a plus sign "+"
3. Account name: davecotter@mac.com
4. account type (if it asks): mac.com
5. Add to group: whatever you want
6. First name / last name: whatever you want
   
7. now you should see me in your list. Double click my name, then type me a message and press Return.

If you do NOT have an iChat / Messages account

If you don't have the above, you can temporarily use my own iChat server. Only use it to talk to me, and log out when we're done, so someone else can use the line.

1. run iChat in your Applications folder or in the Dock
2. It may ask you for settings automatically (first time run). If it's not first time do these steps:
   1. Go to iChat->Preferences (in the menu bar)
   2. Select the "Accounts" tab
   3. Press the "+" button in the lower left
3. enter this info:
   1. Account Type: Jabber
   2. Account: kjams@kjams.com
   3. Password (lower case): kjams
   4. click the little triangle next to "server options"
   5. in the server, type "ichat.kjams.com"
   6. check the box "Use SSL", Looks something like this:
      
   7. click Done
   8. at this point it may ask you about a Certificate. If so, skip to the next step (see step 9 below)
      1. do you see a little window that says "Jabber List" or "kjams@kjams"?
         
      2. if not, pick that from the "Window" menu in the menu bar. Note it might say "kjams@kjams" instead of "Jabber List".
         
      3. click on the word "offline" (with the little triangle next to it) and pick "Available"
         
   9. If it asks you about a certificate, it's asking if you believe you are really connected to my kJams iChat server and not to some phisher or to some other fraudulent scheme. Since your web browser has no record of my certificate, it will ask you to question the certificate's authenticity.
      
   10. Presuming you believe this is actually me, click the "Show Certificate" button
   11. Check the box that says Always trust "Default" when connecting to "ichat.kjams.com"
       
   12. then click "Continue"
   13. You should now see me "David M. Cotter" with my icon with the awesome big hair. if you see me listed under "Offline", just send me an email and tell me to get online
   14. If you see me under "Buddies" with a little green light, then double click me, and type a message!
       
   15. Remember when you're done talking to me, don't stay logged in.