Totally new to linux, I'm running Mandrake 10.1 & Gaim V1.5.0 I got the program working fine and I'm chatting along. I'm wondering is it possible to configure gaim via settings, plug-in whatever to have it inform me of new emails for my hotmail account like msn messenger does in windows?

If not could someone recommend another IM program that uses the msn protocol and would allow me to get new email updates.

please help!!

Why do you want an IM program to do this? This has nothing to do with IMs. Why not get an actual program that checks emails?

Probably because this person is new to linux and MSN Messenger will check your Hotmail account.

OP: I can't find anything around that says Gaim supports this but you could look at using hotwayd which allows you to easily check your Hotmail account in a normal email app, then use something like adesklets to show whether you have any emails on your desktop.

In Gaim, in your settings for the MSN account, there is a checkbox for email notification.

aMSN, which is very much an MSN clone, will check your hotmail account for you.

If you're checking out hotwayd, also check out freepops because it'll check other webmail accounts as well.

Do you have a link to these "Rules for IMs?" I'd be interested in knowing what else is or isn't allowed.

EDIT: because I have no life, I checked the Gaim dialogue and discovered the Gaim solution. I also added the "Rules..." wisecrack, because the concept of rules in an open-source forum has my head spinning (or perhaps it's those darn 'child of the 60's' flashbacks again....)

cheers,