Instant Messenger for Windows with Bonjour to Communicate with iChat

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HappyWarlock Author

Level 1

146 points

Instant Messenger for Windows with Bonjour to Communicate with iChat

Is there an Instant Messenger for the PC that will allow me to communicate with iChat on a local network?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6), Power G3 (Blue and White)/OS 9.2.2

Posted on Jan 9, 2010 3:19 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

741,911 points

Jan 9, 2010 3:24 PM in response to HappyWarlock

Click here and choose a Bonjour client.

(49725)

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Answer 2

HappyWarlock Author

Level 1

146 points

Jan 12, 2010 11:08 PM in response to Niel

I saw the list of clients and their protocols. Miranda and Trillion seem to be the only instant messengers with bonjour. Upon looking over the Miranda, bonjour was not detected. They claim to have a plug-in system for protocols like bonjour but I can’t seem to find the plug-ins. Trillion has bonjour but there’s constant connection failure.
I have the two computers connected wirelessly with the use of AEBS with Modem.
Could that cause a problem with bonjour?

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Answer 3

Jan 13, 2010 2:00 PM in response to HappyWarlock

Hi,

In the Windows computer are you allowing the new apps through the Firewall ?
By Default only MicroSoft apps are allowed and you have to set up Exceptions for others.

Start > Control Panels > Firewall > Exception tab > Add Button > Navigate to relevant .exe file

10:00 PM Wednesday; January 13, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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Answer 4

HappyWarlock Author

Level 1

146 points

Jan 16, 2010 1:59 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I found what appears to be a really great Instant messenger called Pidgin and it has bonjour. I also clicked “Allow another program” with “Allow a Program or feature through Windows Firewall” on the PC as you recommended and I’m still not getting any results.

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Answer 5

Jan 16, 2010 9:03 AM in response to HappyWarlock

Hi,

And when you clicked the Add Button , you did navigate to the Program Files and then to the Application Folder and the relevant .exe involved ?

If So if you go back and highlight the App that should not be in the list of Exceptions and then Properties does it tell you what ports are open ?

Bonjour of itself as a Zero Configuration method of getting computers to see each other needs port 5353 on the UDP Protocol.
With iChat this adds some ports to use the Bonjour Features (5297, 5298 on UDP and 5298 on TCP)
I would expect Pidgin to need the same.

Some other thought as I have not done this on My XP Boot Camp Install.
Does the App install Bonjour for Windows ?
Or is it needed separately ?
Is it compatible with you version of Windows?

5:03 PM Saturday; January 16, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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Answer 6

HappyWarlock Author

Level 1

146 points

Jan 16, 2010 2:14 PM in response to HappyWarlock

"And when you clicked the Add Button, you did navigate to the Program Files and then to the Application Folder and the relevant .exe involved?"

Yes
-----------

"If so if you go back and highlight the App that should not be in the list of Exceptions and then Properties does it tell you what ports are open?"

When you highlight applications that shouldn’t be there or that are unchecked, in the case of Pidgin, you only have the option to click a button that allows you to specify whether the application will run on a local (private) network or a public network.
------------

When I try to send a message using the Mac I get a script that reads:

“Bonjour Error”

“Instant Message connection failed. The other person’s computer may be unreachable. Instant Message connection failed. The other person’s computer may be unreachable.”

Where do you input the port number you mentioned for Pidgin on the PC?

Message was edited by: HappyWarlock

Message was edited by: HappyWarlock

Message was edited by: HappyWarlock

Message was edited by: HappyWarlock

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Answer 7

Jan 16, 2010 2:10 PM in response to HappyWarlock

Ok,

Start > Control Panels > Firewall opens a window in XP with 3 tabs
The Middle one is called Exceptions.
Clicking this gives you a new window with the add spot and a list of currently listed Apps (with tick or not depending if they are allowed).

If the MOdem or router at the PC end is using UPnP then UPnP should also be checked.

If I remember this bit correctly if you highlight an app, then below the list is also a Properties button.
In here you can change (And I believe see) the current ports that are allowed.

10:10 PM Saturday; January 16, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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Answer 8

Jan 16, 2010 2:12 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

I checked

It is a Mac app
http://www.pidgin.im/

What are you using for the Bonjour Chat on the PC ?
I had presumed you had used Niel's List to get a PC app to do Bonjour.

Hopefully this will come with Bonjour for Windows as part of it.

10:12 PM Saturday; January 16, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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Answer 9

HappyWarlock Author

Level 1

146 points

Jan 16, 2010 2:26 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

"What are you using for the Bonjour Chat on the PC?"

Pidgin 2.5.6

"I had presumed you had used Niel's List to get a PC app to do Bonjour."

As I had mentioned, I selected two programs from Niel’s List, but since then I discovered Pidgin and it looks like it may be the most impressive program. It does have Bonjour for Windows.

Incidentally, I am using Windows 7 for the PC.

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Answer 10

HappyWarlock Author

Level 1

146 points

Jan 16, 2010 2:30 PM in response to HappyWarlock

Pidgin has an IM for the PC.

http://www.pidgin.im/download/windows/

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Answer 11

Jan 16, 2010 2:31 PM in response to HappyWarlock

Hi,

My understanding is that the Windows Firewall has not changed a great deal (Having seen briefly over my son's shoulder allowing iTunes on Windows 7)

I had also not checked the other possible downloads on the Pidgen site as My Google search led me straight to the Mac Version.
Sorry for any confusion.

It will be my tomorrow before I can get my son to play with his Laptop so I can look again.

10:31 PM Saturday; January 16, 2010

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

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