Tuesday, April 11, 2006

What is a widget??

hmm.. sorry for not supplying that half of the information.

A widget is a program written using any web-technology (html, css, javascript.. etcetc)

It is bundled with 1 configuration file that defines its size (height 5cm width 6cm) and other properties.

This 'widget' (package of configuration file and html/css/javascript files) will run inside Opera Version 9 (the one that is under development and can be downloaded from http://my.opera.com/desktopteam/ )

When it runs, it will be a small box (the same size that you specified) that acts as a normal window on your computer screen - but doesnt have the [Program title bar _¦× ] on top and cant be re-sized.

Though you can right click it and force it to 'always be on top' or move into another screen called the 'widget desktop'

You can activate this widget desktop by hitting F6
(The whole screen turns semi transparent grey and presents all your running widgets on top of that screen)

Examples of widgets are

Simple Widgets
1. Analog Clock
2. Calculator

Informative Widgets
1. Displays news from a particular news site
2. Displays posts from your own blog

Interactive Widgets
1. English Dictionary
2. Weather forecast (enter your location, and it gives you the weather report)

Entertaining Widgets
1. Jigsaw Puzzles
2. Music player

Useful Widgets
1. Bus timings in Oslo, Norway
2. Periodic Table

and so on..

the possibilities are limited only by the internet - and that has limitless possibilities:)


-- Ofcourse, you would need to download a build of Opera 9 from http://my.opera.com/desktopteam/ to get the widgets to actually work! --

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