Computer Science Jabber Server
Connect server= jabber.cs.iastate.edu
Use your COMS username and password to connect
Using Pidgin
Open Pidgin
Select Accounts
Select Add from the accounts options form

Fill in the appropriate values
Red cirlces represent values that need to be set
Protocol: XMPP
Screen Name: your COMS username
Password: optional you may enter it later at login time
Be sure "Use TLS if available" is selected
Connect server: jabber.cs.iastate.edu
Click "Save"
You are now ready to connect to the Computer Science Jabber server.
Add users to your friends list in the form of theirCOMSusername@jabber.cs.iastate.edu
More information on the use of Pidgin can be found here:
http://gaim.sourceforge.net/documentation.php