Unlocking the Power of XMPP on Your Chromebook with Dino IM

XMPP, a protocol that has been around for quite some time, continues to be a go-to choice for messaging applications today. If you’re an XMPP server user looking to connect with friends and family on your Chromebook, the Dino IM client is an excellent option. This user-friendly Linux application supports both XMPP and Jabber protocols, enabling seamless communication. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set it up on your Chromebook.

Activating Linux on Chrome OS

Before you can utilize the Dino IM client, you need to enable Linux support on your Chromebook. Luckily, the process is straightforward. Begin by clicking on the clock icon in the bottom right corner and selecting the gear icon to access the “Settings” menu.

Once in the “Settings,” scroll down to the “Advanced” section. Click on the drop-down arrow to reveal additional options. From there, navigate to “Developers” and activate the Linux Developer Environment by clicking the “Turn on” button. This action will initiate the setup of a Debian Linux container and a terminal app.

The terminal will open shortly after. Look for “Penguin” and click to access the Linux terminal on your Chromebook. Update your Linux system by entering the following command:

sudo apt update

Follow this with the upgrade command to ensure all software is current:

sudo apt upgrade

After completing these steps, your Chromebook will be ready to install Linux applications, including Dino IM.

Installing the Dino IM Client

Dino is a sleek and intuitive IM client designed for XMPP and Jabber on Linux, making it just as effective on Chrome OS. To get started with the installation, open the Chrome OS terminal app again.

Within the terminal, input the following command to install the necessary Flatpak package, which is essential for running Dino:

sudo apt install flatpak

Following the installation of Flatpak, add the Flathub repository, which hosts numerous Flatpak applications, including Dino IM. Use this command in your terminal:

flatpak --user remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

Now that the Flathub repository is linked to your Chromebook, you can easily install Dino IM using the command:

flatpak install flathub im.dino.Dino

Once the installation process is complete, you can find Dino IM in the “Linux apps” folder in your Chrome OS app menu. Launch the application and prepare to start messaging.

Creating an XMPP Account for Dino IM

If you don’t already have an XMPP account, you’ll need to create one to use with Dino. Open the Dino IM app and click on the “Setup account” button. A pop-up window will appear to guide you through the account creation process.

Select the “Create account” button within the pop-up. You’ll then browse available servers, choose one, and sign up. Once registered, you’ll receive an XMPP username (e.g., @yourchosenserver).

Getting Started with Dino IM

With your XMPP account set up, it’s time to log into Dino IM. After logging in, share your XMPP ID with your friends to start chatting. To initiate a conversation, simply click the “+” button located in the top-left corner.

Select “Start Conversation” to connect with your contacts or opt for “Join Channel” to participate in group discussions. Enjoy a hassle-free messaging experience!

Conclusion

Dino IM brings a modern touch to the classic XMPP messaging standard, making it a powerful tool for communication on Chromebook devices. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily set up and start using Dino IM, keeping you connected with friends and family in style. Happy chatting!