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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Widgets vs. Gadgets - A quick look

Widgets vs. Gadgets - A quick look
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:04 PM
 
So I've had the chance to mess with Vista Ultimate and Vista Home Premium. Not really impressed, more aggrivated than anything. Trying to network a XP pc with a Vista pc was more of a bitch than it should have been.

Anyhow, I did like the implementation of Gadgets. Much more than how OSX runs it (unless I missed something). You can actually have them running on the desktop. If I want to see the weather report, I don't have to click on Dashboard, it's already there. I love Widgets but am not really fond of having to flip them all on just to see one or two. So I have to give MS a this time.
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:06 PM
 
Eh, they clutter up the screen too much. I like the idea of "Spaces"

Maybe widgets can be in a separate "space"
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:15 PM
 
I didn't like how they were all over the place with Konfabulator and I don't like the Windows Sidebar in Vista.
I think Dashboard got it right that they are out of the way until you need them. Often I don't use my Dashboard for days, but having them availible with a quick screen coner when I need them works well for me.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:15 PM
 
Vista...only a couple if gadgets can be displayed at one time due to limited screen space
OS X...many widgets can be displayed at one time due to using the entire screen space

Each has their own advantages. I like OS X implementation,. but I rather for them to update in real time.
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:17 PM
 
The dashboard works for me, since the info I use it maybe once a day to check the weather. I also like how it doesn't load the widgets until you actually activate the dashboard, that way they're not using up system resources if you don't open it.

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Rumor  (op)
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:18 PM
 
I only use two or so widgets, so having them on the desktop works best for me. Of course, this is a personal preference. Ideally, we would have both options.
I like my water with hops, malt, hops, yeast, and hops.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:33 PM
 
There are programs that let you run widgets in the Finder Rumor.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:44 PM
 
I'd like them on the desktop, not in the finder. For that, I could just open dashboard.
I like my water with hops, malt, hops, yeast, and hops.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:50 PM
 
Well I meant the desktop. Finder to me sits on teh desktop etc.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 01:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by Rumor View Post
I'd like them on the desktop, not in the finder. For that, I could just open dashboard.
You can. Do a google search, I recently saw that implemented someplace. It did involve using the terminal though.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 02:04 PM
 
Well, then they sit above everything, even open apps.

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Oct 22, 2007, 02:13 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Well, then they sit above everything, even open apps.
True that. It works best when you have spare screen real estate going.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 02:14 PM
 
Originally Posted by Kevin View Post
Well I meant the desktop. Finder to me sits on teh desktop etc.
F12. Hit the plus to expand the toolbar. Click and drag a widget from the toolbar, but don't let go yet. Hit F12 again. Let go of the mouse button. Widget is now on your desktop.
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Oct 22, 2007, 02:18 PM
 
Originally Posted by olePigeon View Post
F12. Hit the plus to expand the toolbar. Click and drag a widget from the toolbar, but don't let go yet. Hit F12 again. Let go of the mouse button. Widget is now on your desktop.
You sir, rock.
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Oct 22, 2007, 02:38 PM
 
There ya go. I knew you could do it.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 02:45 PM
 
I haven't tried it lately, but it used to be that that 'feature' would reset and the widget would be in Dashboard (only) once you went back to the Dashboard.
     
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Oct 22, 2007, 02:50 PM
 
Yeah, I haven't done it in a while either. You used to have to enable developer mode to get it to stay in the foreground, but perhaps Apple has since enabled that by default.

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Oct 22, 2007, 02:53 PM
 
defaults write com.apple.dashboard devmode YES
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Oct 22, 2007, 03:10 PM
 
But without Terminal, I have confirmed that the widget will stick onto dashboard the next time you activate it.
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