I am now downloading a gaim rpm

>> How do I open an rpm under debian?
>>
> Debian does not use rpms, it used .deb files.
>
> apt-get and dpkg are package management tools for
> Debian.

I tend to agree with this statement, but will add a bit. Why exactly are
you not using the gaim packages? I saw something in another thread, but
didnt pay a lot of attention. If you feel you can't get the Debian
packages to work, I would recommend compiling the tarball instead of
trying to get an rpm to work with Debian. However, if you feel the
necessity that you must use this RPM. apt-get install alien and then man
alien. It is designed to help use RPM's on Debian.

-Derek