What is it?

It's a software tool that makes life easier for those who, like me, chat with different people in different languages. More specifically, in languages that use different writing systems, and therefore different keyboard layouts. Whenever you switch from one conversation to another, you have to switch the keyboard layout accordingly. KLay solves this issue. It makes conversation windows keep their layouts as you switch back and forth.

How do I get it?

You download it for free right here.

How do I use it?

You download and run the setup. There's no user interface other than that. KLay starts once Windows starts, and it hooks all supported messengers once they start. You can uninstall KLay by using the "Add/Remove Programs" applet in the Control Panel.

What messengers?

For now, KLay supports MSN Messenger (as well as its close cousin, Windows Messenger), AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ in split message mode. Supporting ICQ's single message window mode isn't as straightforward - it's not just a matter of retaining windows' active keyboard layout. I may or may not implement this down the road. Depends on popular demand.

Technicalities

32-bit versions of Windows keep track of active keyboard layout on per-task basis. That means, when you switch between windows that belong to different processes - say, between MS Word and Internet Explorer - keyboard layout is restored to what it was once you switched away from that process. In case of IMs, though, all the conversation windows belong to the same process, and Windows does no switching. In my opinion, Microsoft engineers should've implemented this long time ago, but they didn't. Oh well.

KLay's proper function is somewhat dependent on internal workings of IMs. In future versions, these might change without notice. I'm not guaranteeing universal compatibility. Your results may vary. KLay, as of now, was tested with:

• Windows Messenger v. 4.7 (4.7.0105)
• Windows Messenger v. 4.7 (4.7.2009)
• MSN Messenger v. 6.1. (6.1.0207)
• AIM v. 5.2.3292
• AIM v. 5.5.3572
• ICQ v. 2001b, build 3659
• ICQ v. 2003b, build 3916