How to register test accounts
The purpose of this page is to provide quick, concise instructions on how to register accounts for testing purposes in several of the supported chat networks.
Testing means testing - don't include any dishonest stuff here, please.
Contributions welcome! Also feel free to add other libpurple protocols or jabber service variants.
General tips:
- If you own a domain, get a catch-all email address.
- Email verification links sometimes get broken - use "show original" and get it from the plaintext version.
- If birth dates are required, set them to the oldest date possible (younger than 13 will often get you blocked)
MSN / Skype with microsoft account
Direct registration link (from outlook.com)
- Easy
- Email verification required when using existing address
- Optional fields: postal code when non-US, phone number
- 'Alternate email address' field recommended. Can be skipped but you might get locked out for "security".
- Set country to non-US to avoid entering zip code.
- Captcha (custom, voice)
After registration you get sent to https://account.live.com/summarypage.aspx - Ignore that and http://outlook.com/ to see inbox / use chat after registration.
Skype with username
- Very easy
- No verification required, apparently
- Required fields are properly marked with a star, unlike most other sites....
- Most fields optional.
- Captcha (recaptcha, voice)
Yahoo
- Easy
- No verification required, apparently
- Phone number "may" be verified, must be in a valid format.
- Optional fields: "recovery number", "relationship"
- Captcha (custom gif, voice)
Google talk / "hangouts"
- Ugly.
- SMS / Phone call verification required. There's a limit of accounts per phone number.
- Optional fields: current email address.
- Captcha (recaptcha, voice)
If you own a "google apps for your domain" organization, creating XMPP-enabled users from the admin panel is just a matter of setting username/password.
Jabber (Pure XMPP)
TODO: https://xmpp.net/directory.php
In-band account registration is not supported by bitlbee. Other clients such as gajim or psi should be used for services that don't support web based registration.
If setting up a server (like prosody) in localhost is easy enough, including instructions here would be appreciated too.
Hipchat
We've got a bitlbee organization! Poke dx @ #bitlbee (OFTC) to get added to it.
You can also create a new organization, sign up link here.
You need a phone number and something that can receive SMS.
The rest of the 'registration' instructions are in the HowtoWhatsapp page.
AIM
I would write more instructions but I got "Registration has been blocked due to too many attempts from this IP address" after loading that page 3 or 4 times.
ICQ
Direct registration link (ignore the fact that it looks like a whatsapp clone)
TODO
TODO
TODO
The forced following of accounts can be skipped in a non-obvious way.
Steam
TODO.
Owning at least one paid game might be required to be able to use community features such as chat. Redeeming steam keys (from humble bundles, promotional giveaways, etc) probably counts.
Gadugadu
TODO
Help needed from polish people, but i think google translating the registration process is possible.
TODO
Help needed from chinese people.
SIPE / OCS / LCS / Lync
TODO
There's a "trial" server package available somewhere from microsoft.com
Alternatively: are there 'public' servers for this? Or anything that can be shared on request?
SILC
TODO
Other libpurple protocols / other services
Feel free to add!