start pidgin minimized

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How do I start Pidgin minimized in the upper panel in Xubuntu 12.10???

I had a great deal of difficulty getting pidgin to work on IRC, but it 
does everything I need it to do now.....with the exception of not being 
able to start it minimized.

Google searches go back to 2007, suggesting scripts, utility programs to 
specify the window size and location at startup and changing settings 
within Pidgin. But, it seems none of the suggestions I found with a 
google search actually work properly.

Is there anyway I can have Pidgin start minimized???

TIA

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