---
title: using xmpp
subtitle: it's like email but not really
author: cark
date: 2021-03-14
---
if you didn't know already, xmpp is an instant messaging protocol that let's you talk to people on the internet, even if they're using a different server than you.  
to claim your account, run `/var/scripts/xmpp-register`, type in a password and you're set!

```
giovanni@southlondon:/var/scripts$ /var/scripts/xmpp-register  
Creating account for giovanni
This script will create an XMPP account for you on southlondon.cc 
Enter a password:
User giovanni@southlondon.cc successfully registered
```

now, you can use that xmpp address to log in using your favourite xmpp client. if you don't have a favourite already, check out [gajim](https://gajim.org/) for windows/linux or [conversations](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/eu.siacs.conversations/) on android.

our server is [mostly compliant](https://compliance.conversations.im/server/southlondon.cc/) with the standards, so hopefully everything will work fine.
