Can't get buddy list started

[Gary Ruxton]

I just started with Pidgin and I can't input a friend's e-mail address. I have a hotmail address, so I used the MSN category to set up my account. My friend has a business name for a .com. I enter it choosing Buddy List > Buddies > Add Buddy. I enter the buddy e-mail address. Whether I select Favorites, Non-IM Contacts or Other Contacts, I always get a message "Unable to add 'hs at blah.com'.The username specified does not exist."

What am I doing wrong?
Gary

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