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Reggie Fowler · 09:52 AM

Rumor has it that a widget manager will accompany the newly to-be released 10.4.2

However, this widget manager is lacking an "auto-update" feature which is much needed. I have over 100 widgets in my widget folder. While this new manager will help me enable or delete widgets, i would rather see a feature that checks Apple's website for NEWER versions of the widgets i already have.

Superchicken · Jun 25, 2005, 09:47 AM

Right... cause it's gona create a google index of the whole interweb and keep track of which of your widgets change, so that it knows if a new one is released... uhh that would be the Widget's job not OS X's...

Reggie Fowler · 12:16 AM

I agree. It would be tough to check the entire internet.

But i would settle for a widget manager that AT LEAST checks Apple's Website and the widgets they offer.

It would be very helpful!

mdc · Jun 25, 2005, 11:38 AM

this is what i've read about the new dashboard features in .4.2

“The forthcoming Mac OS X 10.4.2 Update will let users delete widgets from the Dashboard dock by hovering over the widget’s name and selecting a small deletion icon. Upon selecting the icon - a red circular image with a dash through it - a confirmation dialog will appear, asking the user to confirm that they want to move that widget to the trash.”

AppleInsider also notes a new method for installing widgets. Rather than being automatically placed in your ~/Library/Widgets folder, the user will double-click the downloaded widget to launch a new Widget Installer. “Users will reportedly be able to “Test Drive” the widget in a self-contained area of the installer before agreeing to install it on their system.” ThinkSecret corroborated this report, citing an “improved widget download experience.”

nforcer · Jun 25, 2005, 11:50 AM

Wow. Apple is actually adding a feature that could be useful in a minor update instead of making us wait another year and a half to get it. I'm betting this will be the only feature we'll get for 10.4.x.

Randman · Jun 25, 2005, 11:54 AM

This would be nice.

Now, if we could arrange widgets in the dashboard anyway we'd like and not just alphabetical.

ManOfSteal · Jun 25, 2005, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

Now, if we could arrange widgets in the dashboard anyway we'd like and not just alphabetical.

That will change as well per Think Secret's report...

"At the upper-right of the widget manager is the Dashboard icon, at the upper-left is a close box, and at the upper-middle is a selector allowing users to sort the widget list by name, date, and whether it is enabled or not."

Thinine · Jun 25, 2005, 10:08 PM

That's just in the widget manager, not the widget dock from which you add new widgets.

Reggie Fowler · Jun 26, 2005, 02:21 PM

Nobody has commented on the need for an auto-updater for the widgets.

I assume nobody would like to see that feature?

ManOfSteal · Jun 26, 2005, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Reggie Fowler

Nobody has commented on the need for an auto-updater for the widgets.

I assume nobody would like to see that feature?

That would be nice. I think an updater that is built to look into the Apple widget database (from Apple's site) would be possible. I also think more widgets should check for their own updates though...

Reggie Fowler · Jun 26, 2005, 11:44 PM

Agreed. I wish they would check!

moonmonkey · Jun 27, 2005, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by Reggie Fowler

Agreed. I wish they would check!

Apple will only provide updaters for Apple software.
There are too many issues with updating third paty software on computers.

Maybe MacUptate or version tracker desktop software will help you.

Big Mac · Jun 27, 2005, 01:12 AM

moonmonkey's totally right. third party widget updates would be a logistical nightmare for Apple to pull off.

Reggie Fowler · Jun 27, 2005, 07:31 AM

It would be a nightmare, but if they only focus on widgets which are on Apple's site....i think it could work.

Randman · Jun 27, 2005, 07:33 AM

And when new widgets are created?

kcmac · Jun 27, 2005, 09:35 AM

How do sites like VersionTracker and Macupdate do this? Could it be similar?

CatOne · Jun 27, 2005, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

moonmonkey's totally right. third party widget updates would be a logistical nightmare for Apple to pull off.

Maybe, maybe not. The 3rd party widgets would probably need to register their status with Apple's site. It would be pretty simple for Apple to implement a web API for this purpose... whether they do, and whether they make it available to 3rd parties, who knows.

But where do you typically go to find Konfab widgets, for example? Oh that's right, Konfabulator.com. I wouldn't do a Google search to try and find Konfab, OR Dashboard widgets, I'd go to their respective sites and see what widgets are listed. And the only way they get listed is by notifying the appropriate site.

andreadeca · Jun 27, 2005, 10:42 AM

Would it not be nice if people waited to SEE the new update before commenting on it's functionalities?
Something feels wrong about writing post after post on stuff that has yet to happen and that nobody has yet seen (i.e. all the "intel" posts...)

...just my 2 cents.

Andrea

Reggie Fowler · Jun 27, 2005, 09:29 PM

ok, to be continued!

I hope someone at Apple is reading these posts!

Randman · Jun 27, 2005, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Reggie Fowler

ok, to be continued!

I hope someone at Apple is reading these posts!

I sent feedback on the dashboard dock ordering. Have you sent in feedback on your pet wish?

torifile · Jun 28, 2005, 02:26 AM

I need a program to help me efficiently organize my widgets on my screen! I've got a bunch (and very useful ones at that) but getting them efficiently placed isn't working. I'd also love to have something like "workplaces" for my widgets so I can add/remove widgets without disturbing my set up too much. I've found that I've gotten used to where they are on my screen so I can look quickly at my dashboard and see what I want - my schedule, the weather, the NY Times headlines, etc. I'm scared to move 'em!

Randman · Jun 28, 2005, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by torifile

I need a program to help me efficiently organize my widgets on my screen! I've got a bunch (and very useful ones at that) but getting them efficiently placed isn't working. I'd also love to have something like "workplaces" for my widgets so I can add/remove widgets without disturbing my set up too much. I've found that I've gotten used to where they are on my screen so I can look quickly at my dashboard and see what I want - my schedule, the weather, the NY Times headlines, etc. I'm scared to move 'em!

Uhh, I don't think there will ever be an app that organizes your widgets on screen. For that, you'll have to bite the bullet and do it yourself.

saddino · Jun 28, 2005, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by torifile

I need a program to help me efficiently organize my widgets on my screen! I've got a bunch (and very useful ones at that) but getting them efficiently placed isn't working. I'd also love to have something like "workplaces" for my widgets so I can add/remove widgets without disturbing my set up too much. I've found that I've gotten used to where they are on my screen so I can look quickly at my dashboard and see what I want - my schedule, the weather, the NY Times headlines, etc. I'm scared to move 'em!

The latest build of Amnesty allows creations of multiple "layouts", where each layout is basically a virtual dashboard where you can arrange any set of widgets as you like. You can then bring a layout to the screen via the Amnesty menu.

(and the 1.0 build of Amnesty, which will be released next week, you'll be able to program hot keys to bring up any widget layout you want at any time).

So, as long as you're willing to think oustide of Dashboard, you get sort of get the "workplaces" you're looking for.

Randman · Jun 29, 2005, 02:08 AM

Amnesty is still too rough to use, imo.

saddino · 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Randman

Amnesty is still too rough to use, imo.

Can you elaborate? Are there some widgets you've found that work in Dashboard and not Amnesty? Or are there other issues?

disco_stu · Jul 2, 2005, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by Reggie Fowler

Nobody has commented on the need for an auto-updater for the widgets.

I assume nobody would like to see that feature?

Hey,
I'm actually working on something like this - I've opened up a sourceforge acct. and everything. However, I'm on vacation and have very limited net access, so I won't be able to do any serious work on it until I get back in a couple of weeks. Sorry to be so vague, and I know I have a low post count, so I probably won't be taken seriously (hehe), but, well, I saw a need for this type of feature, too, so I figure'd I'd try to implement an easy solution...

thx!
disco_stu

ManOfSteal · Jul 2, 2005, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by disco_stu

Hey,
I'm actually working on something like this - I've opened up a sourceforge acct. and everything. However, I'm on vacation and have very limited net access, so I won't be able to do any serious work on it until I get back in a couple of weeks. Sorry to be so vague, and I know I have a low post count, so I probably won't be taken seriously (hehe), but, well, I saw a need for this type of feature, too, so I figure'd I'd try to implement an easy solution...

thx!
disco_stu

Very cool, I'm looking forward to something like this. Please contact me to beta test if you would like when it gets closer to completion.

disco_stu · Jul 19, 2005, 09:13 AM

To Reggie Fowler and ManOfSteal (and anyone else interested), my idea for a 'WidgetUpdate' type of app:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?p=2614470