WmG

I recently tried the WmG applet, a dockapp plugin for Gaim, and found it to be a very convenient addition to my chat application. Once the plugin is started, a dockapp appears that can be dragged to the windowmaker dock. This not only keeps my chat window organized but also makes it easier to access my chats with just a click.

One of the best features of the WmG applet is that it shows the top three buddies from Gaim, sorted by whatever algorithm was selected in the Gaim preferences. This helps me keep track of my most frequent chat buddies and initiate conversations with them quickly. Furthermore, clicking on any of the buddies opens a new conversation window for that person. If a conversation window already exists, it simply brings it to the forefront.

Another handy feature of the WmG applet is the scrolling message display. It shows events such as buddies logging on and off, becoming idle or coming back. This feature helps me stay up-to-date on my buddies' status and make informed decisions on when to initiate chats.

The name WmG was chosen since WmGaim was already in use. However, there are a few limitations to the applet that users should be aware of. Unloading the plugin requires a restart of Gaim, which is a bit annoying. Additionally, protocol mini-icons are only available for MSN and ICQ protocols.

This latest release of the WmG applet addresses compilation issues with the latest Gaim betas, and introduces some graphical representation of buddy status for ICQ buddies. Overall, I would highly recommend this applet to anyone who uses Gaim and wants to have a more organized and efficient chat experience.