Messenger Programs Problem

[Atip]

Finally at my old age I am attempting to use a messenger program
since my good woman got a cellphone which has such an apt.

So I tried pidgin, adding a user name with password and it comes back
"Incorrect password" no matter what PW I put.

Then I installed "amsn" and adding a user it shoots back "Invalid user name"
I tried various user names in the end even arsch, all of no use.

Are those programs stupid or is it me or my age?

Now serious, can someone tell me what to do to get either pidgin or amsn working?

[djemos]

You can use pidgin with xmpp, aim, yahoo, msn etc. you choose the service (xmpp or yahoo) for example and create an account there with a password. If you already have an account then just put the username and password and connect.
Better tell what service you want to use pidgin.
There is also gajim.

[gapan]

If you're trying the MSN protocol, I don't think that's functioning anymore. I think MS has completely abandoned it, closed all servers and moved everyone to Skype.