Installing Google Talk

This document provides installation instructions for using the Google Talk instant messaging client on Windows, with Miranda acting as the local software to send and recieve messages. Google Talk can be accessed from any browser (for example at an internet cafe), meaning it can be used without installation of softare. However, Miranda better integrates features such as popup of new message and sound with the operating system, and requires no browser -- or repeated login -- to function.

Download Software

• Uninstall any Miranda installations currently on computer.
• Delete any Miranda folders in C:\Program Files * Dowload and install the Miranda "Full Installer" from the Miranda Website.
• At the beginning of the installation process, you have the opportunity to select protocols. Select only the Jabber protocol, and uncheck all the others.
• Do NOT start Miranda at the end of the installation until you complete the following steps.
• Download the following files and copy to your local Miranda directory (usually "C:\Program Files\Miranda"). Note these files do not get copied to the plugins folder.

1. libeay32.dll: libeay32.dll
2. ssleay32.dll: ssleay32.dll

• Dowload the following file and copy to your Mirand plugins directory (usually "C:\Program Files\Miranda\Plugins").

1. KeepStatus.dll: Keepstatus.dll

• Optional: Download and install the files in PEK Piano also to the Plugins folder. You will later need to configure sounds individually within Miranda settings.

Configure Miranda

• Start Miranda.
• Change the settings in Miranda as follows.
• The "Username" is according to which user is logged in Windows, and is one of the following:

1. dave.egeland
2. brent.egeland
3. ryan.egeland
4. jean.egeland

• The "Resource" section in the following settings should reflect the computer name (i.e. "Fox," "Birch," etc.).
• Close and restart Miranda and then make it go online.

Add Users

• Usually, Miranda will find your old contacts after the last step above and so you may not need to do these steps, but if reinstalling or errors, following these steps:

1. Go to Find/Add Users in Miranda.
2. Under "JID" type dave.egeland, brent.egeland, ryan.egeland, or jean.egeland as appropriate and click "Search."
3. Click on the user it found on the right (should be with "@gmail.com" appended) and click on "Add to List."

• Each user will have to log in and accept the invitation to add all the other contacts.

Alternative: "Google Talk" client from Google

Since this document was originally written, google itself has published a client for windows, downloadable as an application for Windows. Their client is not open source, but is a relatively efficient program and has the benefits of the following:

1. Easy installation, without requiring specific file downloads to program directory
2. Integration with gmail
3. Addition of a phone feature similar to Skype (although untested)
4. Very simple interface
5. Supposedly supports file transfers

The disadvantages are as follows:

1. Closed source -- may be privacy leaks back to Google or advertisers (although unlikely)
2. Memory footprint. Although the program is small, it uses twice the memory of Miranda
3. Sounds, advanced settings, and server settings are not customizable; the default settings are however reasonable
4. No linux client

One can try the google talk application by installing from a setup program available from Google

• Download link: Google Talk Setup for Windows.

-- RyanEgeland - 04 Apr 2006