In this part, I'll talk about installing and setting up Miranda for basic functions.
The main Miranda installer is available in 2 different versions - An Unicode version and an ANSI version. Get the Unicode version unless you're using Windows 95/98/ME. The portable version includes both and will automatically launch the appropriate one.
If you use the installer version, you'll be able to choose which optional components to be installed. For convenience sake I install all the plugins even though I don't use them all, and you can always disable them individually later.
The first time Miranda is run, you'll be presented a dialog to create a "Profile". You can have multiple profiles. For example, one for work and one for personal use. I use only one so I named mine "Default" (or something like that).
Default Classic Contact List
Then, it will ask for your AOL, ICQ and IRC credentials, I pressed the cancel button for all these dialogs, preferring to configure them later. I don't know why it doesn't ask for the others (e.g. MSN, Jabber) as well. Guess it's something historical, and because the protocol stacks are written by different people. So there's some inconsistency here.
Speaking of inconsistency, you'll probably find more and more when you start customizing Miranda. The Miranda project doesn't seem to have a comprehensive user interface guideline. Mix in developers of the third-party plugins and it could become confusing. So, while customization is a strength of Miranda, it also leads to one of its weaknesses.
Continuing the install process will bring about the import wizard, which can be safely ignored for most. It only imports data from another Miranda database, and ICQ 99a-2003a.
If all is well, Miranda should then start, the contact list appearing on the desktop and the default global status icon (a humanoid) shown in the taskbar.
To start configuring, click the flower on the contact list, or right-click the humanoid on the taskbar to open the main menu and get into the options screen.
To work your way through the options, two little tricks may help. First, untick the "Show expert options" at the lower left corner to reduce the option scope to a more "basic" one. Second, limit the option scope according to individual plugin or "core settings" using the selection box at the top left corner.
Options - Plugins
I disabled the plugins I don't use, like Gadu-Gadu, AIM, IRC, Import, so it's a bit clearer to do the other customization. Take note that both the Miranda Image and Avatar services need to be enabled for avatar support.
When you disable or enable plugins, Miranda will prompt you to re-start itself if necessary. The little "x" on the contact list will not do the job, it will only minimize your contact list. You have to use the main menu to quit Miranda.
After re-starting, goto the options screen, without limiting the scope by plugin, navigate to the Network sub-tree and fill-in your credentials.
Options - Network - MSN - Account
Besides the credentials, you may also configure the options for each individual IM network. The defaults are usually okay and safe if you ask me. I did adjust the privacy settings of ICQ and enable OpenSSL for MSN. Note that the "greyed-out" options can only be changed when Miranda is connected to the IM network.
Setting up Jabber is a bit more complicated and you may need to search or ask for the instructions for your particular Jabber server. The Google Talk version is here.
Done? Click "Status" and "Online". Alternatively, you can hit CTRL-1 when the contact list is in focus.
If everything is okay, Miranda should connect and start downloading your contacts from the server if server-side contact list is supported (e.g. MSN, ICQ). Otherwise you'll have to use the Find/Add Contacts function in the main menu to add your contacts one by one.
Start double-clicking your buddy's name and chat.
Sidenote
The Miranda wiki has a lot of information. Recommended.
Other Parts
Part 1 - Introduction
Part 3 - Core customization
Part 4 - Plugin customization
