<page xmlns="http://projectmallard.org/1.0/"
      xmlns:e="http://projectmallard.org/experimental/"
      type="topic" style="task"
      id="create-account">

  <info>
    <link type="guide" xref="index#accounts"/>
    <link type="seealso" xref="add-account"/>
    <desc>Register for an account with one of the supported messaging services.</desc>
    <revision pkgversion="2.28" version="0.1" date="2009-06-21" status="draft"/>
    <revision pkgversion="2.28" version="0.2" date="2009-08-07" status="review">
      <!--
      <e:review by="shaunm@gnome.org" date="2009-09-02" status="done"/>
      -->
    </revision>
    <credit type="author">
      <name>Milo Casagrande</name>
      <email>milo@ubuntu.com</email>
    </credit>
<!--
    <copyright>
      <year>2009</year>
      <name>GNOME Documentation Project</name>
    </copyright>
-->
    <include href="legal.xml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"/>
  </info>

  <title>Register for a new account</title>

  <p>Most account types require you to create an account with a account provider
  before you can connect using instant messaging applications like <app>Empathy</app>.
  With some account providers, you can use <app>Empathy</app> to register for a new
  account, using the same steps as you would to <link xref="add-account">add an
  account</link>.</p>

  <p>This page provides information on creating a new account for various types of
  accounts.  Your account provider should give you a login ID and a password, as well
  as any additional information you need to connect with <app>Empathy</app>.</p>

  <section id="jabber">
    <title>Jabber</title>

    <p>Jabber is an open instant messaging system.  Like email, Jabber allows
    you to choose your account provider and communicate with all other Jabber
    users, regardless of their account provider.</p>

    <p>You will need to create a new account with a Jabber provider.  There are
    many free providers; one popular provider is
    <link href="http://register.jabber.org/">Jabber.org</link>.</p>

    <note>
      <p>If you use Google Mail or Google Talk, you already have a Jabber account.
      Google Talk is a Jabber service.  Simply use your Google Mail address and
      password in <app>Empathy</app> to connect.</p>
    </note>
  </section>

  <section id="salut">
    <title>People Nearby</title>

    <p>You do not need to create an account with a service provider to use this
    feature.  This service works whenever you are connected to a local network,
    such as a wireless hotspot.  It automatically finds all other users on the
    network who are also using this service.</p>

    <p>For more information, see <link xref="salut-protocol" />.</p>
  </section>

  <section id ="sip-services">
    <title>SIP</title>

    <p>SIP is an open system which allows users to have audio and video
    conversations over the Internet.  You need to create an account with
    a SIP provider.  You can communicate with all other SIP users,
    regardless of which SIP provider they use.</p>

    <p>There are a number of popular free SIP account providers; one
    popular provider is <link
    href="https://signup.sipphone.com/new-users/app?class=NewUser;proc=start">Sipphone</link>.</p>

    <note style="warning">
      <p>Due to technical differences, the free <link
      href="https://www.ekiga.net/index.php?page=register">Ekiga.net</link>
      service does not currently work with <app>Empathy</app>.</p>
    </note>

    <p>Some SIP providers allow you to call normal phones from your computer.
    Generally, you will need to subscribe to a paid service for this feature.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="irc">
    <title>IRC</title>

    <p>You do not need to register for an account to use IRC.  Although you specify
    a nickname when you add an IRC account to <app>Empathy</app>, this nickname is
    only established each time you connect.  If another user is using the nickname,
    you will need to choose a new nickname.</p>

    <p>Some IRC networks use a service called NickServ to allow users to protect
    thier nicknames.  See <link xref="irc-nick-password"/> for more information.</p>

    <p>Some IRC servers are password protected.  You will need to know the password
    to connect to these servers.  Generally, these are private IRC networks.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="proprietary-services">
    <title>Proprietary Services</title>

    <p>There are many proprietary instant messaging services that have been
    developed by different companies or organizations.  <app>Empathy</app>
    allows you to connect to an existing account for most popular services.
    To create a new account with one of these services, you will need to
    visit the service’s web site and agree to its terms of use.</p>

    <list>
      <item>
        <p>
          <link href="http://dashboard.aim.com/aim">AIM</link>
        </p>
      </item>
      <item>
        <p>
          <link href="https://www.icq.com/register/">ICQ</link>
        </p>
      </item>
      <item>
        <p>
          <link href="https://accountservices.passport.net">MSN</link>
        </p>
      </item>
      <item>
        <p>
          <link href="https://login.yahoo.com/config/login">Yahoo!</link>
        </p>
      </item>
    </list>
  </section>

</page>
