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Vista Sidebar Gadgets

The Sidebar is a panel on your Vista desktop where you can add applets or 'Vista Gadgets'.

When Vista was at the beta stage I was all for dismissing the Sidebar; I did not need a big clock and the other Gadgets made little appeal. However, as time goes by I have become an advocate of this panel with its Gadgets and I recommend that give this new feature a chance.

As more and more companies commission developers to create Gadgets, so our choice will get better and better, moreover, trust me, there is a Gadget for everyone.

Introducing The Vista Sidebar

My interest in the Vista Sidebar was rekindled from an unlikely source - Google. Since mid 2006 Google have provided a rich range of applets to make my browser's home page more productive. Suddenly, I made the connection, Vista can do for my desktop what Google applets do for my browser. Isn't it funny how when you switch from a critic to an advocate you see the world in a different light. After my conversion to Gadgets, I suddenly began to see must-have items where before I could only see dross.

Windows Vista Sidebar - Basics

The Sidebar is a panel on your Vista desktop where you can add applets or 'Gadgets'. If all else fails, you can open a Sidebar by navigating to the Start Menu, All Programs, Accessories, Windows Sidebar. (Note the word Windows before Sidebar). Remember that the Sidebar is merely a container object for the Gadgets. Technically, the container is controlled by the aptly named executable: sidebar.exe.

If the Sidebar settings are not to your liking, then right-click anywhere on the Sidebar, then select 'Properties'. Here are your options: Vista Sidebar Properties

Sidebar Options
Start sidebar when windows starts.
Arrangement
Sidebar is always on top of other windows
Display Sidebar on this side of the screen (Right or Left)

Configuring Microsoft Vista Gadgets

To add more gadgets to the Vista Sidebar, simply seek the big plus + at the top of the sidebar. Alternatively, right click in the Sidebar and select Add Gadgets, what I do next is click on 'Select more gadgets online'.

Individual Gadget Options:
Right-click a Gadget then choose:
Attach to sidebar
Always on top .
Opacity e.g. 100%

Configuring Windows Vista Gadgets. It's all very well me saying, Gadgets are easy to configure, but the very first time you try, it's never as easy as experts lead you to believe. The secret for checking the options is clicking on the Gadget so it's the 'focus', then seeking out the spanner symbol which activates the options. For example, with WindGuru you can select the coastline near you.

Quite what you can configure varies from one gadget to another, it's all down to what controls the developer created. While the Gadgets natural home is in the Vista Sidebar, they are capable of a free existence and thus can roam anywhere on the desktop.

Be aware, not all gadgets can be configured, in which case there is no spanner symbol. However, they all have an 'X' to close the gadget so that it no longer appears in the sidebar.

Gadget file storage

Vista stores your gadgets under this folder:
(C:)\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Sidebar\Gadgets

Shortcut Tip - Try Press the Windows Logo Key, now keep tapping 'g'. You should cycle through all the gadgets that you have added. At first this did not work for me, the reason was I hadn't added any gadgets!

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Defining Microsoft Vista Gadgets

Gadgets are compact, mini applications that focus on one task.
They present information that users can easily understand.
Each applet blends with the Vista desktop, yet is unique in its look, feel and behavior.
Gadgets are installed locally rather than run from the internet.
Anyone who understands JavaScript and html can create a Gadget.
A gadget is not a vehicle for multiple functions.
If users need to read the manual then this is not a 'Gadget'!

Believing in Windows Vista Gadgets

You have to be a believer. I exhort you to make that leap of faith that Vista's Gadgets have a future. My foray into the underlying technology reveals that it's only html, XML and JavaScript. Consequently it's going to be easy for developers and creative people to build a raft of Gadgets. Watch out for a rash of tools that you did not know that you needed! One indication of their respectability is that National Geographic and Wikipedia are making Gadgets that you can download from Microsoft's official Gadget store.

Don't be put off because 80% of the Gadgets are useless. Savour the discovery of that little gem amongst the distracters. Enjoy exploring the border between a toy and a time-saver. Take pleasure from trying a new applet, I say again, one or two will turn out to be indispensable. If you want a focussed search then browse through the categories before you start downloading and installing.

As usual, Microsoft provide 3 ways of doing everything; while this overkill often induces ridicule, it does infuse newbies with confidence that wherever they click, double click, or right hand click, they will soon install the Windows Vista Gadget and get it configured to their preference.

Obtaining more Gadgets is easy; from the Vista desktop, right click the Sidebar, Add Gadget, Get more gadgets online. Alternatively, with a basic knowledge of XML, HTML and JavaScript you could write your own. Else you could take a leaf out of my friend 'Mad' Mick's book and reverse engineer Vista's files in the Program Files --> Sidebar --> Gadgets folder. Incidentally, some techies have got the Vista Gadgets installed on XP, try this in your favourite browser 'Microsoft Gadget Gallery'.

Guy's Top 10 Windows Vista Gadgets (Updated March 2007)

CPU and Memory Usage
Weather
CTControl
Outlook Usage
Battery Usage (Laptop)
AlertCon - Alerts of internet threat level
WindGuru - Wind speed, useful for surfers
Stock quotes
Wireless Signal and IP Address (Laptop)
Postage (Handy since UK changed letter rates)

Addendum

Gadgets really are taking off. Every company seems to be getting in on the act and creating a gadget for the Vista desktop. While you can get the information in the gadgets by other means, it's the sheer convenience that appeals. Windows Vista Gadgets are a classic case of don't slavishly follow me, it's much more exciting to research your favorite gadgets. You may need a separate set of Gadgets, just for your laptop, for example, Wireless Signal and IP Address.

Windows Vista Gadget Philosophy

One of the advantages of working for myself is that I can be honest. Vista Gadgets will always be toys, some of which have a business justification. Let us start with those Vista Gadgets which overlap both the 'Toy' and the 'Business' categories, for example, news, travel, traffic updates and AlertCon (Internet threats). Part of the appeal of Gadgets is that they are connected to sources which are constantly updated, e.g. weather, or stock prices.

In this 'Business' category are also, calculators, currency converters and UK postal calculators. For most people, photos and music will be in the personal or 'Toy' category. At the other extreme are out-and-out 'Toys', with no pretence as business tools, for example; Sudoku, Poker and the world's most basic game - Snack.

Troubleshooting Gadgets

If no Gadgets appear, and the sidebar is just a solid black, try re-registering msxml3.dll. The Problem: Is that the XML necessary to render your gadget is broken, corrupted or not installed.

The Solution: Is to register a dll. The trap is you have to Run as administrator.
Click Start, type cmd, right-click, and then click Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type:
regsvr32 msxml3.dll
Enter.

Summary of Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets

Not all technologies are successful. Vista's Sidebar has had more than its fair share of false starts. However, I am now a believer these Vista Gadgets are here to stay. There is something for everyone, from better ways of delivering news, to out-and-out games. What is intriguing is the anticipation that there may be Gadgets out there that we did not know that we needed. If all else fails, with a little knowledge of JavaScript and XML, you can write your own Vista Gadget

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Watch a Vista Training Video Demo.

Configuring Windows Vista Topics:

Vista Tools and Extras

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