Alternative Facebook chat client?

Zascar

Does anyone know if you can get a 3rd party chat client that supports facebook? I want to be able to chat with friends without people around me knowing I'm on facebook.
Any ideas?
Thanks

advertsfox

I use Pidgin, it's excellent and has a nice tabbed interface and also supports Google Talk / Hangouts, MSN, Yahoo, Skype, IRC etc.

http://www.pidgin.im/

Zascar

Oh - ok cool as we use pidgin in work for inter office IM. However how do I get facebook chat to work in it?
Edit: I'll google it
Thaks

Zascar

Hmm ok I followed the guide here: http://www.insidefacebook.com/2010/02/12/how-to-use-facebook-chat-with-pidgin/ -but it won;t connect. Possibly something to do with my corporate network maybe? Or that its solely to be used for internal chat.

Are there any others does anyone know?
Thanks

advertsfox

Zascar wrote: »

Hmm ok I followed the guide here: http://www.insidefacebook.com/2010/02/12/how-to-use-facebook-chat-with-pidgin/ -but it won;t connect. Possibly something to do with my corporate network maybe? Or that its solely to be used for internal chat.

Are there any others does anyone know?
Thanks

Check that your corporate settings are applied in the 3rd Proxy tab. Here are my settings (note the Connect Server):

Zascar

Thanks Fox, yes my settings are exactly the same but still nothing. What about proxy tab?

If this does not work are there any other similar ones? Preferably ones that do not look too flashy
Thanks

advertsfox

Zascar wrote: »

Thanks Fox, yes my settings are exactly the same but still nothing. What about proxy tab?

If this does not work are there any other similar ones? Preferably ones that do not look too flashy
Thanks

Do you use a proxy if your office? To check, go to:

Start > Run (or press WIN + R) > Type "inetcpl.cpl" > Click "Connections" > LAN Settings > Is a script or proxy in use?

Also, Facebook have a Desktop Messenger application as well - similar to a popout but more features - https://www.facebook.com/sitetour/chat.php

Zascar

Thanks for that, so we use a script - the address is: "http://wpad/wpad.dat" - can I use that in pidgin to make it work?
I know about the facebook desktop chat - thing is if someone walks behind me its obvious I'm chatting on facebook - looking for something a little more subtle

advertsfox

Great, change that to "Use Environmental Settings" and try again. Since Facebook Desktop does work, this should be just a proxy issue

Zascar

Didn't work

I had not actually tried the facebook desktop chat - but I did just not and that does not work either... I tried Digsby and no joy their too/

I'm thinking its just blocked internally, maybe I'll find a techy in here and see if he knows!

advertsfox

Zascar wrote: »

Didn't work

I had not actually tried the facebook desktop chat - but I did just not and that does not work either... I tried Digsby and no joy their too/

I'm thinking its just blocked internally, maybe I'll find a techy in here and see if he knows!

Definitely sounds like it - you can use the website no problem?

Zascar

Wohoo I got it! Was a different proxy - something like www-proxy.company.com with port 80 and it works great now
Thanks for your help - very much appreciated!
Z