IChat AV 3.1.9 (v446) HOW 2 USE IT? - NEVER USED IT - I'D LIKE 2 USE IT!

Question

Till today, I separately use msn messenger and yahoo messenger. I'd like to only use iChat AV 3.1.9 (v446) I already have installed but got no idea how to use it.
When I click iChat the Buddy List window opens together with AOL Instant Messenger Login which informs me that "iChat was unable to login to the AOL Instant Messenger service because your screen name or password was incorrect." In the Login ID section there's my every day used e-mail; [email protected] and the password section is empty. The thing is that I got no idea when I gave those info to AOL and I can't remember my password... so I can't login.
Then I go to iChat preferences, click Accounts and I see 3 of them. The first one is an AOL Instant Messenger account named George Nikas, the second another AOL Instant Messenger account and the third another Bonjour account. At the last account I open My Address Book Card and among my info I also see an e-mail I have never used (created like all the other info ages ago); [email protected]
As I said in the first paragraph I'd like to use iChat, rearrange all my info and delete anything which isn't useful.
1) I would like to edit my .Mac account but how?
2) Also edit my AIM and Bonjour account. Maybe delete one of them? (As I said I found two AIM accounts). How?
3) Embody my msn and yahoo messengers in iChat.
Please don't laugh at all my stupid questions!
I KNOW I'M A MESS AND SOUND LIKE A CHILD!
THANK GOD THERE'S APPLE DISCUSSIONS.
THANX A LOT!
George Nikas

Answer 1

Hi,
The Detailed Version http://www.ralphjohns.co.uk/versions/ichat3/howtos3.html
Use the Second menu for the first three items.
iChat 3 can login in to one AIM Buddy List and one Jabber List and the Bonjour option giving you a max of three Buddy Lists at any one time.
AIM Screen Names and Apple IDs (Email type for @mac.com or MobileMe) can be used for the AIM Buddy List.
GoogleTalk is a Jabber Server and can be made to work in iChat 3
You Can have other Jabber IDs from other servers.
If you have more than one AIM valid name or Jabber account set up in iChat 3 then you have to Log one out before you Login another.
There is only ever one Bonjour list if you have Enabled this and it is essentially Mac to Mac only on your LAN.
This can only be edited as such via your Address Book.
It uses the Name on the "My Card" to send that as your Buddy Name to other Macs on your LAN.
IF there are other Macs on your LAN with iChat Open and Bonjour Enabled then you will see people as their own Address Book Entry
If you cannot remember telling AIM your Hotmail Email name (It is possible to register Email IDs as Screen Names at AIM) then it would be best to delete that Account in iChat > Preferences > Accounts (Highlight then use the Minus button lower left).
For your @Mac.com type name you may get some Progress here https://iforgot.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/DSiForgot.woa/wa
Type in the @Mac.com name and you will be led through the retrieval Process.
However it may want to send the response to an Email address you no Longer have access to.
(and just to complicate things you can't change the reply Email address until you have access to the Account).
Summary
For 1) try the Paragraph above.
For 2) just delete the Hotmail name as an AIM name. You cannot edit the Bonjour Stuff in iChat but can change your Name in the Address Book (This will also effect Mail as it "Sends" your Name as part of the Headers linked to the Email Address you use).
I have left 3) until now.
This can be done but only for Text Chats.
With a Jabber Account you do some background/workaround stuff that enables that Jabber account to login to what is called A Transport on an Jabber server that then links that Jabber ID to MSN or Yahoo.
Resources.
http://www.jabberes.org/servers/ A list of Jabber Servers and the options they have like Transports.
Some allow you to login via any other Jabber server (After your set it up you don't have to use the Jabber account but can use another such as GoogleTalk)
Instructions on how to make iChat use these Transports http://allforces.com/2005/05/06/ichat-to-msn-through-jabber/
As I have pointed out it pays to know which Jabber Server you are going to use first before doing this bit. The Instructions make more sense if you are doing it as you go.
Instructions for Getting your GoogleMail Account to work in iChat 3 http://google.com/support/chat/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=24076
These pics and Instructions are for iChat 3
If you have a GoogleMail ID (@Gmail.com or @Googlemail.com) then you have to go to your account settings at Google and Enable Talk first.
Hope this helps.
8:57 PM Monday; June 21, 2010
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