Skype Widget: A Great Add-On
Skype really means business this time as it comes out with several amazing products worth using. Mac users, in particular, are very lucky as Skype Technologies is committed to give them great hardware and software for a truly unique and convenient internet experience. Skype Mac users are increasing the reason why Skype came out with an improved version of its Mac plan. Mac users are naturally rejoicing.
If you’re a user of Skype for Mac OS, then good for you. Why? It’s because you get the chance to avail of an attractive add-on which is the Skype Widget. The Skype Widget has a handy interface if users want to make calls, search for international calling codes and check the global calling rates of Skype. Calls can be made to any part of the world making Skype a technology to beat.
Key features
Skype Widget is a dashboard widget that allows users to dial calls, look up country codes and find out about calling rates. Released on September 8, 2005, This freeware that appears as a white colored S logo in yellow green background works by using peer-to-peer technology for transmission of data. In other words, there is no longer a central server to act as a middle manager. With this software, it’s now possible to chat with up to 50 people all at the same time. There’s even no need to type the names of your contacts as you can just drag and drop contacts whenever you want to add someone to your chats and calls. It’s that easy.
Also, you will be informed of any new events and see an overview of the services available. New animated emoticons are provided which you can even play with. Plus you get the necessary support for enhanced notifications with Growl.
Mac users are guaranteed that Skype Widget 1.0.2 is 100 percent free from spyware, viruses, Trojans and backdoors as well as other forms of malware. After thorough testing by Softpedia, it was found that Skype Widget was clean and that it can be installed safely. Softpedia gave this 56 KB Skype Widget freeware a very good rating. It is compatible with the Mac OS X 10.4 version or later.
To use Skype Widget, you need a Mac OS X 10.4 or higher such as the Tiger and to be able to make a call, Skype must be installed. After downloading the widget, you simply pack it out and double click on the .wdgt file. Dashboard will then open and ask you if you want to install the widget. However, if you have a Mac version of Tiger below 10.4.2, Safari will install the widget without questions. You can then open it in the Dashboard and use it.
In making a call, all you have to do is type a phone number just like using a traditional telephone or a Skype name, select the country of destination, then click the phone button and you will eventually be connected. Click on the logo to show the dialing instructions. There’s one thing you should not forget, though. Buy some credit first before you make the call.
Loyal Mac users will surely agree that calling through Skype is definitely an amazing experience. Calls are of high audio quality and with less network congestion. The best part is that calls to other Skype users anywhere in the world are free of local and long distance charges. Calls to landline and mobile phones are charged at very affordable rates thereby making communication with family, close friends and business colleagues fast and convenient. So with Skype widget on your dashboard, you can already make a call with just a few clicks.
In case you encounter problems downloading or using the Skype widget, you can always seek the help of Skype at its website (www.skype.com). Skype will find answers to all your queries and problems whether you’re just a new or long-time user. Skype’s site also has specific help pages you can use.
Favorite widgets
Widgets are interface elements in technical terms or simply any icon that internet users manipulate to perform certain tasks online or on the computer. They are also known as virtual buttons that can be clicked by using a mouse cursor. The Dashboard, meanwhile, was created by Apple as an interesting feature of its Mac OS X Tiger operating system. The Dashboard utilizes widgets to display useful information in a small package on your desktop.
If in case a widget on your Dashboard is troublesome after installation, you can easily delete it. Just look for that widget in your widgets folder inside the library folder, drag it to the trash and select “secure empty trash” under the “finder” menu.
There is actually a wide variety of dashboard widgets to choose from under different categories from blogs, business, games and messaging to movies, television, music, news, sports, transportation and travel. These widgets work on Mac OS X. Mac’s website, notably the widgets section, cites the Top 50 dashboard widgets that include virtual games. Although not all may be useful to each Skype subscriber, there are several interesting widgets worth trying out.
Bluetooth Texter can connect to a Bluetooth phone and can be used to send instant messages.
The Weather Channel Mac Widget 1.0 provides all information concerning weather.
Gas 3.0 gives information on the best gas deal in town so you won’t have much for your gasoline needs.
Starry Night Widget 1.1 allows users to see the planets and constellations up in the sky for any location on earth.
Wikipedia 0.9 lets you search for and read articles from the online wiki encyclopedia.
GuitarChords 1.6.1 is for the music-minded eager to learn how to play the guitar. You can select a note and type of chord and the widget will display how to strum that chord on the guitar.
The BBC Radio Widget 3.1 can play any of the 60 national, regional and local BBC radio streams.
The TrafficGauge Widget 1.1 provides a map of real-time traffic situations for many major cities in the U.S.
The MLB Schedule 1.5 is for the sports fans who need to know the schedules of baseball teams.
Skype is great software for VoIP calling. I have experienced the calling on it. The quality is superb.
Skype is the king of VoIP. Its quality, features and services are great to enjoy with. I love Skype. It is my daily routine.