As long time Pidgin user since the Gaim day (and current Adium, Pidgin's derivative, user), I have been sick of the missing advanced IM protocol features, especially MSNP protocol.

The current version of Pidgin/Libpurple only supports MSNP9 and the latest stable version in Microsoft Windows Live Messenger is MSNP15. That means Pidgin and all derivatives can only send text message and chat in group. File transferring is also available but only slow & indirect method.

I don't want any eyecandy features like Nudge, Wink or animated emoticon from my client. The features I need are productive ones, such as:

• Direct (aka "fast") file transfer
• Offline message support. Sometimes I never receive urgent offline message from friends and miss some opportunity.
• Personal message. To know the current status of my friends.

Just only these. Reasonable?

Since MSNP is proprietary protocol and implementing it in the open source way need to be done by reverse-engineering, I have never expected much from Pidgin developers. They are all volunteers and I should support them in any case. All I can do is hopeful waiting.

But now, I think it's too long. The reverse-engineering excuse is not solid anymore. Other 3rd party or open source implementation like Kopete, aMSN or Trillian are success with advanced MSNP features. I then start my search for Pidgin replacement again.

The first alternative I found is Galaxium. Yet another multiple protocol IM client for GNOME, written in GTK+ and Mono. MSNP is #1 priority protocol (in contrast with AIM, Pidgin #1 priority). Now Galaxium supports personal and offline messaging. Direct file transfer and audio/video support are coming soon. Sounds very promising?

Unfortunately, the Galaxium deb does not work with my Ubuntu 8.04 box so I can't try it. The only thing I can do is filing new bug, which made me know that Galaxium developers are very responsive, friendly and well-communicated. I then fell in love with this project and look forwarding to help them on testing and development.

The other one is msn-pecan, alternative MSN protocol plugin for libpurple. The installation process is easy for linux veteran. Just apt-get libpurple-dev and compile msn-pecan source. It will be available as new WLM protocol from Pidgin account manager. After testing with friends, I can see their personal message and vice versa. There is no offline messaging yet but the developer promises it will come soon too.

From the msn-pecan FAQ page, the developer is Felipe Contreras, the guy who wrote current MSN plugin in libpurple/Pidgin. He is frustrated from Pidgin development process and decided to fork his own plugin for better software. He wrote that Pidgin guys are somewhat bullshit so there is unlikely to see this msn-pecan merged into official Pidgin soon.

Galaxium FAQ said the same thing, "Pidgin has been very slow to adopt new features", so Galaxium developers decided to work by their own. I also read from somewhere in Adium site that Adium is also working on new MSN plugin to replace libpurple as well.

These three projects imply the same message: Pidgin has severe problem on development process/culture and now everyone are going to abandon them.