If you want to have desktop icons for your favorite Google Talk contacts, there's an easy to do it.
Right-click on your desktop and select New / shortcut. Then type:
gtalk:chat?jid=[Gmail-Username]@gmail.com
and the name of your friend (of course, replace [Gmail-Username] with the actual username). When you click on the shortcut, Google Talk will open a new window where you can chat with your friend. To make a shortcut that automatically calls your friend type this instead:
gtalk:call?jid=[Gmail-Username]@gmail.com
You could right-click on the icon, select properties and choose a new icon. To convert a JPG file into an icon, you need a software like IrfanView: just open the photo, crop the face area and save it as an ICO file.
If Google Talk is not open, clicking on the shortcut will launch it, but won't open a new chat window for your friend.
Bonus tip: you can easily launch Google Talk by going to Start/Run and typing gtalk: (gtalk followed by a colon).
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No doubt, Google is absolutely the best!h
ReplyDeleteOf all the possible features or helpful hints I've ever seen posted in regards to G-Talk, this has got to be one of the lamest features ever. Who is too busy to open their G-Talk list and click on his/her desired buddy's name to begin a conversation?
ReplyDeleteActually, Josh, the question is "Who isn't busy enough to where they have the time to go making customized icons for their desktop?"
ReplyDeleteActually, this is a neat tip that can be useful methinks. In my testing, it seems as if it actually will open Google Talk with the chat window open for my desired contact, even if Google Talk isn't open to begin with.
ReplyDeleteI probably wouldn't give a contact a custom icon on my desktop, but this works equally well using it as a bookmark in my browser. I can click on the bookmark/favourite to open up a chat window with a friend.
I would never do this - it's just as easy to open Google Talk and click the name of the contact I want to talk to!
ReplyDeleteBut what I'm wondering is, would this work in URLs? So, on your website for example, if you put a "Call me!" link. I tried to put the code here, but Blogger isn't letting me. I think AIM can do something similar to this?
Ian, it works for any email address. But that person will get your message only if he/she's in your Google Talk's contacts. Unlike Yahoo Messenger, you can't send a message to someone who didn't allow you do it.
ReplyDeleteDoes it work for sending gtalk alerts (via chat) to other gtalk users?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. The shortcuts may not be essential but they could be fun. I enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteYou don't need any special software to create icons. Just open the JPEG in Paint, crop it to 32x32 and save it as a Bitmap. Then replace the .bmp extension with .ico, and you're set. :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Wulf. Actually, you don't even need to rename the file to .ico.
ReplyDeleteGoogle is the best in the world. I wish all the best. Keep it Up.
ReplyDeleteThis info is superb! Everyones impressed over hear!
ReplyDeletewith this gtalk:call?jid=[Gmail-Username]@gmail.com
ReplyDeletedisplay online offline icons iff Gtalk
google is rocking on the internet world. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. thanks :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the roster?
ReplyDeleteThe cow?
Is this still working? I cannot make it to work (Vista).
ReplyDelete