If you don't already have an account, send a NaNoMail to NewMexicoKid
Otherwise, you can use this java applet: Start the Jeti applet
or install a jabber client like Coccinella (short for the latin name for ladybug; features a collaborative whiteboard) or Pidgin (known for stability and support for AIM, Yahoo, MSN, and others) or Exodus (Windows-only). Coccinella and Pidgin are multi-platform engines. I personally prefer to use an installed client like Exodus over the Jeti applet (greater functionality), but either interface will work.
10/6/2009 update: Check out the instructions on how to set up Pidgin; they're posted at blog.
The jabber server to use is: writing.teiru.net
The chat room we will use in our region is: naperwrimo (naperville is wonky) on
the conference.jabber.writing.teiru.net server. When there are
word wars going on in that room, folks should use the naperwrimo
chat room on the same jabber chat conference server.
Here is an example of how to populate the group chat settings
if you are using the Jeti applet. Once you login, right click on the JETI token to bring up the menu. Open the group chat->join option to get the dialog shown in this figure.
Some mac folks like to use Adium. Sapphire writes:
[11/18/07 2:13 pm]After opening Adium, navigate to ADIUM ---> PREFERENCES (in the top menu) [11/18/07 2:13 pm] A box will pop up showing all accounts. Click the + sign in the bottom-left of that box and select "Jabber". [11/18/07 2:14 pm] http://www.ifeelthecosmos.com/adium.png <-- fill in these fields. (name@writing.teiru.net I assume) [11/18/07 2:15 pm] After that, press OKAY and it will show your account in the blank space on the previous window. If it's not already connecting, check the checkbox at the left of the account name.
What should you do if you see error messages like: "require encryption which is not available on this server"?
Make sure that in the Accounts->Manage Accounts (from the Buddy list), select your new jabber account, then make sure that in the Advanced tab you don't have any of the top three boxes checked off under XMPP Options.