Empathy is a client built on the Telepathy messaging framework. However, without a proper backend (connection manager) installed, it is essentially useless. XMPP, as a standardized and unencumbered protocol, is supported through the telepathy-gabble (Jabber and GoogleTalk) and telepathy-salut (link-local) connection managers. MSN support is now handled by telepathy-gabble. Refer to: http://blogs.gnome.org/xclaesse/2011/11/03/msn-in-empathy-with-xmpp/ Support for AIM/ICQ, Gadu-Gadu, Groupwise, QQ, and Yahoo! are all provided by telepathy-haze. IRC support is provided by telepathy-idle. SIP support is provided by telepathy-rakia. If you think the Empathy package should require additional connection managers, please report on bugzilla.redhat.com or send an email to .