Pidgin Buddy List for Windows Vista Sidebar
Integrating Pidgin Contacts with the Vista Sidebar
Do you find yourself curious about displaying your Instant Messenger contacts directly within the Vista Sidebar? While an AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) Gadget is available, users of the versatile Pidgin client might seek an alternative solution.
A dedicated Windows Sidebar Gadget, known as Pidglet, offers this functionality. It works in conjunction with a corresponding plugin designed for Pidgin. A special acknowledgement goes to our forum member Justin, who initially discovered and shared this useful gadget.
Installing Pidglet: A Step-by-Step Guide
Prior to installing the Gadget itself, the Pidgin plugin must be installed first. Incorrect installation order can lead to errors, but the process is straightforward.
Begin by downloading and extracting the zip archive. Navigate to your Pidgin installation directory and locate the Plugins folder:
C:\Program Files\Pidgin\plugins
Copy the pidglet.dll file into this folder, acknowledging any User Account Control (UAC) prompts if UAC hasn't been disabled.
Launch Pidgin and access Tools, then Plugins, to enable Pidglet. Ensure you are running a relatively current version of Pidgin for compatibility.
Install the sidebar gadget by double-clicking the Pidglet.Gadget file that was extracted from the archive.
If the gadget doesn't load automatically, utilize the "Add Gadgets..." option.
Drag the Pidglet gadget to your desired location on the desktop.
A small wrench icon will appear when you hover over the gadget. Click this icon to access the settings.
Within the settings dialog, you can customize the colors. More importantly, you can adjust the number of contacts displayed, extending beyond the default limit of four.
The advanced option allows specification of a custom Pidgin profile folder, though this is typically unnecessary.
Download Pidglet Gadget for Windows Vista Sidebar
Update Regarding Download Availability
The original source website appears to be unavailable. A mirror copy of the download has been provided for your convenience.
