Xfire for Beginners

After seeing several people ask in the chat window about how to get Xfire and use it, I decided to make a guide.

Installing/setting up Xfire:

1. Go to http://www.xfire.com/download/now/ and click Open on the popup download window in "Internet Explorer" or "Save File" in Firefox.

2. Go to where you saved xfire_installer_38312.exe (or w/e the latest version is) and double-click to open it, or, if you selected open in IE it will open automatically. Follow the instructions at each step of the installer. After it exits, Xfire will open.

3. The New User Registration window will be the first thing you see. Fill out all info fields and select a screenname and password for your Xfire account, then click the Register button. You'll automatically be logged into the program.

Adding Friends:

In the Xfire program menu, go to Tools>Add Friend>Search Xfire users. You'll be presented with a box to enter in the name of the person you're searching for. It's advised to enter their Xfire username if you know it as entering in their actual name can produce multiple results, making it harder to find the actual person you're looking for. After selecting them, click "Add as Friend" at the bottom of the popup window. A request will be sent to that person asking him/her to add you as a friend. If they approve it, you'll have them listed in your Friends list and be able to see when they log in or out.

Sidenote: How to directly add TTI Members: In many TTI member's mini profiles (the info to the left of each post), there is an Xfire icon that links directly to that person's Xfire profile page. On the left side under their picture click where it says "Add as Friend" and a request will be sent to them.
-Alternate Method: Bring up the member's forum profile by clicking on their name, then scroll down to the Xfire section where their Xfire profile is displayed. Under that will be an "Add as Friend?" link. Click on it and the rest is self-explanatory.

Communicating:

A. Basic Chat
To open a chat window, simply double click on their name in the list and it will come up. Then just type what you want to say and hit enter.

B. Chat Rooms
In any chat window, go to Actions>Invite More People. A window will appear asking you which friends you want to invite to the room. After making your choices, hit "OK." The window will enlarge into a Chat Room window. You and the person you were talking to will automatically be in the room and everyone whose name you selected will be sent an invite asking them if they want to come into the room.

C. Voice Chat
To engage in voice chat, first you must have a microphone (

). In a regular chat window, click on the green Call button on the bottom of the window. Once the other person answers, y'all can start talking. In a chat room, the green Call button starts voice chat for the room that anyone with a mic can join.

This pretty much covers the basics of using Xfire IM. Now I'll show you some fun stuff you can do.

Change your display name: From the main Xfire window, go to Tools>Options and where it says "My nickname," put in your new display name that will show on your chat window/room messages.

Change your status: Xfire displays what game you're currently playing while you're in-game, but when your not, by default it shows nothing or AFK after a period of computer inactivity. You can set a custom status by going (on the main window) to the arrow by your current status and selecting Set Custom Status. You can then type in your desired status and hit Enter and it will be set.

Change Xfire's skin/theme: Don't like how the program looks? No problem! in the main window go to Tools>Skin and choose one from the list or click on "More Skins..." to d/l more.

If you have any suggestions as to what should be added or changed, just shoot me a PM or contact me via Xfire.