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My Version of Pidgin Portable

Posted by Ady on Wed, May 9, 2007

▼ A d v e r t i s e m e n t

Latest Update click here.
I am a curious programmer, and was all the way wondering on how apps on PortableApps were made. Since Pidgin, the replacement for Gaim was released I was waiting for a while for Portable Apps but I guess they must be busy with the number off apps they have to handle.

So I went and analyze the Gaim Portable sources, read some info on Pidgin official site, downloaded NSIS and I managed to make it work! I was planning just to use it personally but as always I feel like sharing it.

You can download it here:

PidginPortable.zip md5sum: f4ea8c532f43166b7ef61ee915c1218e

Pidgin Portable in the Launcher

And if you want spell checking support, extract this to PidginPortable\App\aspell

aspell.zip md5sum: 19a0d7cf3a384e17b642825220121462

They are zip archives since I have not learned about the install files from Portable Apps yet.

The Pidgin files were copied from my local installation, by guidance from the Pidgin FAQ: Running Windows Pidgin From a USB Drive.

The installed size is around 8.48MB. Like Gaim Portable, I’ve utilized UPX to compress the EXE and DLL files.

Modifications were done mainly to the NSIS script, to use new Pidgin variables and names. Many references to the original site http://PortableApps.com/GaimPortable were not changed, even in the quick splash image I made. In addition I just added my name in the source and version :-)

There maybe some problems that I have not encountered, so you might want to use the official release from Portable Apps once it is released. They are the experts.

10 May 2007: Updated with GTK Theme Selector:

PidginPortable.zip md5sum: dabbfc11b03512e01d79fda935be8bb1 Updated below

Pidgin Portable and Theme Selector

*The GTK Theme Selector will override the settings by the Pidgin GTK Theme Control if used. If you don’t need the selector, simply delete the executable and it will disappear from the menu. The overwriting problem exists as I have to ask the Theme Selector to copy its settings written in settings/.purple/.gtkrc-2.0 to what Pidgin looks for: settings/.purple/gtkrc-2.0 (notice the dot before the filename).

I still can’t figure out how to enable aspell support so as you can see I have disabled the aspell download.

Modifications / Additions (replace these if you don’t want to overwrite everything)

  • Added file PidginPortableGTKThemeSelector.nsi
  • Modified file PidginPortable.nsi
  • Recompiled PidginPortable.exe
  • Compiled PidginPortableGTKThemeSelector.exe
  • Added folder (and files in it) App\GTK\share

17 May 2007: Just a news

This is not an update to the software, but just a reminder that you should scan the zip file before using it (if you decide to use it). Use an updated anti-virus software to scan the files. This is just to make sure that the zip file has not been modified or anything. I just checked the file on the server and it is still the same the way I uploaded it. But there is a jerk accusing me of embedding keyloggers inside the software (in the PortableApps forum).

I have scanned the files with 3 different anti-viruses: ClamWin Portable, Avast U3 Edition, and AVG. They all returned clean results so this proves that the jerk is either (1) having fun telling bad lies about others (2) an imbecile who does not know how to read scan results (3) an imbecile who does not know how to read scan results (4) an imbecile who does not know how to read scan results.

As I am a nice person I hope he is categorized in option 2, 3, and 4 meaning he is not a bad person, but an inexperienced computer user.

27 May 2007: Updated with Pidgin 2.0.1:

PidginPortable-2.0.1.zip (7.17MB) md5sum: 38373a8d2bd33f47e253635968f8cf08

As always, remember to scan before unzipping it to your drive.

02 Aug 2007: Updated with Pidgin 2.1.0

This update includes Pidgin 2.1.0 and also some other additions:

  • Spell check support. Aspell is included with EN dictionary as an example. If you don’t need spell checking support simply delete the contents of the App\Aspell folder and you’ll save 5MB+ of space.
  • Off-the-Record Messaging plugin support. Files located in App\Pidgin\plugins\ folder, as otr_*.exe and pidgin-otr.dll
  • Included a gtkrc file for CTRL-ENTER key binding when sending messages. To avoid any confusion this is not handled by NSIS but the file App\DefaultData\settings\gtkrc-2.0-ctrl-enter needs to be manually copied to Data\settings\.purple\gtkrc-2.0 (the problem later is that the Pidgin GTK+ Theme Control plugin will overwrite this file if you ever use it).
  • gtkrc-2.0 and .gtkrc-2.0 no longer conflicts each other (I was confused during the last release). gtkrc-2.0 will be used by Pidgin and considered as a “local” or “user” setting while .gtkrc-2.0 is global and now the only file written by the GTK Theme Selector. Both of them are honored by Pidgin

PidginPortable-2.1.0.zip (11.3 MB (11,946,141 bytes)) md5sum: 84fdbd7b42bb42a0c5a96628acf56b11

I wanted to include some smileys in the package but since the size is already a whopping 11.3MB (packed) and 16MB+ when unpacked, I leave to users to decide. Here’s one recommended smiley theme from Ozmo. Simply extract to App\Pidgin\pixmaps\pidgin\emotes\ForumSmileys-0.8 to use and activate.

Here’s a screenshot of the OTR and spell checker in action:

Pidgin Portable 2.1.0

Have fun!

22 Aug 2007: End of Life

As I described in my latest post today, I will stop packaging Pidgin Portable for the public as it has been officially released in PortableApps: Pidgin Portable 2.1.0 Released.

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  • http://unexistance.blogspot.com mrwn

    cool, TQ

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    :-)

    Spell-checking and GTK themes still does not work. I am still trying to figure it out.

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    I have added the GTK theme selector, but still scratching my head on enabling aspell support :-(

  • http://blog.mypapit.net/2007/05/portable-pidgin-instant-messenger-windows.html Portable Pidgin Instant Messenger (Windows) : mypapit gnu/linux blog

    [...] is sweet! Ady Romantika has packaged a portable version of Pidgin which runs straight from USB [...]

  • http://www.andysaedah.com/2007/05/13/pidgin-goes-portable/ Pidgin Goes Portable at The Living Earendur

    [...] wonder if there will be any portable version of released by them soon. But yesterday i came across Ady’s blog (where i downloaded the New Blogger Plugins). Guess what? Ady managed to make a portable [...]

  • eric

    Anyone else having issues when trying to use XMPP with a gmail account? I know that happened to me on the standard install too–but I got past it somehow.

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Eric, what kind of issue are you facing? I’ve never encountered any problems with the installed version or the portable version :-)

  • Mr_T

    Tried both installed version and your portalbe version. The only problem i have with your version is when i add a msn account when it crashes :(

  • noe

    Hello. My Pidgin portable crashes every time I try to log into an MSN messenger account. Any idea why?

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Oh.. maybe it is related to bug #569 where MSN is crashing. The milestone has been set to 2.0.1 ;-)

    For me, my problem is with ICQ where my buddy list gets corrupted due to irregular characters!

  • paolo

    Good Job! PortableApps.com has been a bit slow on releasing pidgin, but there probably working on other projects.

  • http://www.romantika.name/v2/2007/05/26/pidgin-201-released/ Pidgin 2.0.1 Released » romantika.name

    [...] shall be building and testing my version of Pidgin Portable [...]

  • Eddy

    Hey, just wanted to tell you to keep up the great work! The people at PortableApps.com have been just a little too slow so it’s good to see someone out there picking up their slack. Thank you!

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Thanks paolo, Eddy. I try to give the community back what I enjoy so much. I don’t blame John and the Portable Apps team, they have so many applications to maintain! :-)

  • http://geekelixir.com/2007/05/28/is-your-pidgin-portable-yet/ geekelixir » Is your pidgin Portable yet?

    [...] rocks and I”ld like to point out that there’s an unofficial portable version of pidgin created by ady. He’s been accused of embedding a key logger in the app so use at your own [...]

  • Lars

    I’d love to have the splash screen disabled by default (who needs them?). Otherwise, perfect execution! Thanks!

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Lars, you can. Copy the file PidginPortable.ini from Other\PidginPortableSource to the same location as PidginPortable.exe

    Edit the file and change this line:

    DisableSplashScreen=false

    to

    DisableSplashScreen=true

  • Mr_T

    Cool. They seem to have fixed the bug causing pidgin to crash when using both icq and msn :) Thanks for the portable version :)

  • http://webdesoporte.es/2007/06/12/mis-aplicaciones-portables/ Mis Aplicaciones Portables « Web de Soporte

    [...] – La versión 2.0.0.4 con dos de mis extensiones preferidas, Mouse Gestures y Videodownloader. – Pidgin – El antes llamado Gaim, cliente de mensajería instantanea más famoso. v2.0.1 – KompoZer – [...]

  • Ozmo

    Is it possible to install OTR into this portable version?

  • http://cypherpoet.com cyphunk

    well i wouldnt accuse you of putting a keylogger or the likes but… if you dont release the source code then i question installing it due to the possibility that you could put a keylogger or trojan if you chose.

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    @cyphunk: As like any other PortableApps application, the NSIS source is always located in the zip file, \PidginPortable\Other\PidginPortableSource\

    The Pidgin files are obviously copied from a Windows installation so the source is always available at the Pidgin official site. There is no compilation done to the Pidgin executables but only compression using UPX. PidginPortable.exe is compiled by NSIS and the source code is included in the location mentioned above. It is simply a loader that loads Pidgin.exe and sets the environment variables to point to the specific, encapsulated path to enable all files to be stored in a tree that is useful for portable deployment. This is the basis for all of PortableApps applications.

    You don’t install it, you extract it and run it. It is technical how the loader works, but if anyone is interested in knowing I can come out with a dedicated post discussing how it works.

    Cheers! :-)

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    @Ozmo: I am not sure. I can try and let you know later.

  • chris

    Might sound impatient, but seeing your ‘unofficial’ version is by far the most ‘portable app’ like I’ve tried, I was wondering when or even if 2.0.2 is coming from you.

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    @chris: I realize 2.0.2 is already out, but is still tight on time. I’ll try to package it as soon as possible. I see that GTK has also been upgraded in 2.0.2

  • chris

    @Ady,
    Yeah, I know the time thing all too well. Who do I talk to, to get you the time :)

  • http://blog.sina.com.cn/u/1239001615 fatalist

    i come here from wikipedia about portable applications of pidgin,and i like portable applications too.i am a chinese guy,and i like you site and have subscriptioned your web in google reader.my english is not very good now.i hope what i have writed is correct and you can understand what i writed.

  • http://www.muzcore.com Murray Chapman

    This is awesome. You have done some really great work. Thanks for sharing your work. Really appreciate your generosity.

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    @fatalist: thanks for visiting.

    @Murray: it is my pleasure. I am happy you liked it.

    I am still trying to find time to update to 2.0.2, but since I see that Pidgin 2.1.0 is just 6 days away I am going to target that version instead.

  • Mike

    I found instructions on installing OTR encryption into your portable Pidgin here: http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=508#4973

    In a nutshell, download the latest OTR and unzip it. Take the .dll and otr_*.exe files and copy them into the Pidgin plugin director.

  • http://gamerforsale.com GamerForSale

    That’s just great – Gaim Portable simply refuses to start for whatsoever odd reason, so getting the new Pidgin as a portable Version is great and I greatly appreciate your effort ;-) , especially since I try to avoid installing software on my machine wherever possible :-) .

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Thanks everyone. I am still waiting for 2.1.0 to be released

  • http://www.romantika.name/v2/2007/08/02/pidgin-210-released/ Pidgin 2.1.0 Released | romantika.name

    [...] with lots of improvements. For my Portable Pidgin users, you’ll be happy to know that it’s ready. Please let me know if you find any [...]

  • http://element14.wordpress.com/2007/08/03/portable-firefox-and-pidgin-re-packaged-with-goodies-and-security/ Portable Firefox and Pidgin Re-packaged with Goodies and Security « element14

    [...] applications or copy over so many DLLs or pixmap files and so forth.  My re-packaging of this Portable Pidgin includes the [...]

  • AntiHaller

    Nice to know you still pack key loggers with your version of pidgin. thought I’d let your readers know what you are up to

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Look, prove to me that there’s a keylogger in the package instead of talking out of your ass.

    He’s back everyone! The famous asshole who is to scared too reveal his real name!

  • Chris

    I wish this guy would shut up. I cannot detect anything wrong with this, except that is is by far the most ‘portable app’ like package for pidgin. He’s just jealous, and would be better off building a better package if he needs to prove something. Other than that, Ady, great work. I’d have like the Pidgin about box to show 2.1.0, instead of 2.0.0, but then, that’s not because of making it portable.

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Thanks Chris. I wish I didn’t have to use foul language here, which from time to time is needed in situations.

    Oh well… everyone can always scan their own downloads and have the option to decide whether or not to use something downloaded from the Internet.

  • marcel

    I was using the previous unofficial release, the directory structure seems that changed, which files should I keep to upgrade?

    btw, thanks for making this, it is very nice of you since portableapps seems to not care

  • http://www.romantika.name ady

    Marcel, there’s no change in directory structure so it would be safe if you just extract the new version on top of the old one. Be sure to make a backup first though.

    Many additions you see are to the aspell folder, that’s all.

  • http://www.romantika.name/v2/2007/08/22/pidgin-211-released/ Pidgin 2.1.1 Released | romantika.name

    [...] has packaged this, I will stop packaging Pidgin Portable for the public. This is the end of My Version of Pidgin Portable. Hope all who have used it found it useful. I guess the guy who have always accused me of embedding [...]

  • http://www.nyctek.com/?p=3 NYCtek | urbanIT

    [...] Find the latest Pidgin Portable here. del.icio.us digg redditWelcome. Type ‘help’ for assistance. [...]

  • Ray

    Hello my name is Ray. I just wanted to let everyone know that there actually is a PortableApps version now of Pidgin available to download. Also, I have found a version of Windows Live Messenger. It says it’s lite but I do not think so. You can download it here: link disabled

    You’ll be downloading it from Windows Live SkyDrive http://skydrive.live.com

    Ady’s reply: I have disabled the link because I have no time to verify the validity of the link.

    @Ray: If you read carefully at the end of the post you would have seen that I am no longer packaging it because PortableApps.com have released the official version of the Portable App. It has been a while – more than a year (22 Aug 2007). Thanks anyway.

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