Synchronizing gaim-encryption between machines

By | 2006/07/18

Here is a quick reminder post about how to syncrhonize gaim-encryption keys between multiple machines. Why would you need to do this? If you use gaim at home & at work and want to use encryption you’ll need to synchronize your keys.

Linux to Linux synchronization:

Synchronizing between two Linux machines is as simple as rsync. This is what I use:

rsync -avz –progress .gaim/* [DESTINATION.IP]:/home/$user/.gaim/

(this’ll synchronize all settings, accounts, preferences & keys between source & destination machine)

If you simply need the encryption keys you’ll want to copy the id, id.priv & known_keys files all found in .gaim/.

Windows synchronization:

Synchronizing with windows just takes a few more steps.

Set your folder/file browser to “view hidden folders” (Tools > Folder Options > View > “view hidden”)

Navigate to “Documents & Settings > $user > Application Data (normally hidden) > .gaim.

Copy the id, id.priv & known_keys to/from this folder to/from the second machine and you’re set.