Continuum is a Windows sidebar gadget with a lot of character. It basically allows you to sign into MSN/ Windows Live Messenger, using a sleek, transparent interface, along with a sidebar gadget containing your favourite contacts.

Continuum is really well polished, easy to use and looks great. The sidebar idea also makes it more accessible and integrates Messenger better into Windows. Moreover you don't need to open or keep running Messenger to use it, thus the program only uses around 10MB of system memory, which is a strong contrast compared to an inactive Windows Live Messenger.

I highly recommend Continuum, its design is the main factor to draw you in, but in the end you find it practical enough to use it as an alternative to Messenger itself. The only problem with it is that it lacks the vast amount of features we have become used to within Windows Live Messenger, however this could change over the course of its development.

>> View a screenshot of Continuum in action
>> Visit the official website of Continuum