Have you ever wondered how developers create excellent and elegant sidebar gadgets? Or are you a professional programmer or developer and wants to add more spice to your sidebar gadgets? Then what you need is a set of guidelines for you to have the knowledge and basic tips in order to create interesting and beautiful sidebar gadgets. The following are some of the basic tips you’ll ever need to make that sidebar gadget that you have been wishing for a long time.
Usage patterns
Before you start coding the JavaScript of your sidebar gadget, you must first classify the type of gadget that you want to create. There are various patterns of sidebar gadgets and these are just few of the following: information gadgets, utility gadgets, fun gadgets and system information gadgets. Without knowing the particular type of gadget that you want to create, you’ll be at lost in making the UI design since not all design patterns are applicable to a particular use of the gadget.
Interaction
You must use the standard Window behavior of pointers in sidebar gadgets. If your mouse hovers on a link then the cursor must switch to the hand-pointer. You must also not allow automatic resizing of the gadget because this really annoys a lot of computer users. Instead, let the gadget be resized by clicking.
Don’t display error messages through a dialog box because this is quite typical only in programs or applications and this can also cause panic to the computer user. Instead, you should show it through a simple message displayed in the gadget or by changing the state or color of the gadget. Read more…
Sidebar Gadgets
gadget, JavaScript, Sidebar Gadgets
Windows gadgets are easy to develop primarily because of the single task they are programmed to do. They don’t perform complex functionalities and they just sit there at the sidebar or float on the desktop. As easy as they are, you need to stick to the basics in developing windows gadgets. The following are some basic things you need to remember to create dazzling windows gadgets.
Files you need
- Gadget.htm contains the HTML definition of the windows gadgets displayed in your Vista sidebar. You define the divs and workspace of your gadgets in the similar way you code HTML pages. You’ll have to use JavaScript and CSS, which can be defined in-line or can be called from external files in the gadget directory. External files are more recommendable over in-line definitions because you have the freedom to change the JavaScript and CSS codes without affecting the gadget.htm code.
- Settings.htm contains the HTML definition of the settings view. This file typically defines your gadget settings layout page. This should also be connected with JavaScript and CSS files for flexibility. The settings page pops up from the Windows Vista sidebar when you click the wrench icon, which stands for settings.
- Gadget.xml contains the links to the main HTML file, icon files and the author’s website. This definition file is used to display windows gadgets in the gallery. The src attribute defined in this file contains the link to the HTML file that triggers the gadget.
- The flyout.htm contains the events and actions that are triggered when the gadget links or items are clicked by the user. The file is called flyout because it pops out from the sidebar. Most gadgets need flyouts to provide additional or extended functionality. Read more…
Windows Gadgets
gadgets, JavaScript, vista, vista sidebar, windows, Windows Gadgets