Skype Vista Gadget

Desktop gadgets are designed to help users with easy access to frequently used programs and system information. You don't have to stop working to view information that interests you, as the gadgets display it right on your desktop screen.

Skype Vista Gadget is one of these small programs that allow you to easily view the current conversations and your Skype contacts. After installing it, the gadget appears on your desktop screen and asks you to install Skype4COM, an ActiveX component that allows the gadget to access Skype.

After doing so, the program automatically detects whether Skype is running or not. In order to make the gadget work, you have to enable Skype API access control.

Then, this lightweight utility connects to your Skype account and allows you to view a list of all your contacts and their status. You can optionally choose to hide the offline users, in order to make the list shorter.

Moreover, if you click on a friends' name, you can start chatting right on your desktop screen. Every time you receive a message, you can view it using the gadget, without opening the Skype window and interrupting your work. In addition to this, the gadget allows you to optionally display the system messages.

The applications' appearance can be customized by changing the gadgets' opacity. You can make it transparent, as well as modify its theme according to your preferences.

Skype Vista Gadget is a simple, yet useful sidebar gadget that allows you to view your Skype contacts and chat with your friends in a small window.