Introducing Vista Gadgets and Sidebar
Introducing Vista Gadgets and Sidebar
Windows Vista Gadgets are small programs that sit on the Desktop or in the Sidebar. These programs can do many things: tell time, track stocks, stream news stories, search the Internet – all from the ease of your Desktop. What gadgets you use and where you place them is up to you: these things can all be in the Sidebar or spread across different parts of the Desktop.
The Sidebar is a clear pane on the desktop that helps organize Gadgets.
You can set it to always be on top of everything displayed on the screen or beneath all opened windows. You can also move it around to an area of your choice.
Gadgets Included with Vista
Windows Vista comes with a basic set of gadgets. These include a Clock, Calendar, Notes, Contacts, CPU Meter, Feed Headlines, and Stocks. To see and add a Gadget to the Desktop or the Sidebar, click the "+" sign at the top of the Sidebar.
More Vista Gadgets Are Available Online
Besides the Gadgets that come with Windows Vista, Microsoft’s web site has hundreds more – most are free. Developers across the globe create these things - some are copies of others; some are very unique.
How to Use a Gadget
For our example, let's use the Feed Headlines or News Gadget included with Vista. It streams news headlines in real time to your Desktop. You can click the up or down arrows to see different story titles. Once you find an interesting story, click on it and a summary of the story will be displayed. If you want to read more, click on the title at the top of the window; your Internet Browser will open and go to the story’s web page.
Each Gadget has different settings that can be adjusted. To access this feature, click on the wrench icon at the top right corner of the Gadget. In the example, you can adjust the face of the clock, add a second hand, change the time and date, and even give the clock a name.
This free Gadget, titled "MultiSearchIt" is available on Microsoft’s web site. It is really an excellent example of how Gadgets can simplify the computing experience.
Want to look up something on Google? No problem. Type a word or phrase in the text box and hit enter; a results screen will pop open. Want to search a different online source? Select a different web site from the list in the dropdown box.
It's that easy.
Vista Gadgets are great little programs that are free and worth your time to get to know - yet one more reason to like Windows Vista.
Windows Vista Gadgets are small programs that sit on the Desktop or in the Sidebar. These programs can do many things: tell time, track stocks, stream news stories, search the Internet – all from the ease of your Desktop. What gadgets you use and where you place them is up to you: these things can all be in the Sidebar or spread across different parts of the Desktop.
The Sidebar is a clear pane on the desktop that helps organize Gadgets.
You can set it to always be on top of everything displayed on the screen or beneath all opened windows. You can also move it around to an area of your choice.
Gadgets Included with Vista
Windows Vista comes with a basic set of gadgets. These include a Clock, Calendar, Notes, Contacts, CPU Meter, Feed Headlines, and Stocks. To see and add a Gadget to the Desktop or the Sidebar, click the "+" sign at the top of the Sidebar.
More Vista Gadgets Are Available Online
Besides the Gadgets that come with Windows Vista, Microsoft’s web site has hundreds more – most are free. Developers across the globe create these things - some are copies of others; some are very unique.
How to Use a Gadget
For our example, let's use the Feed Headlines or News Gadget included with Vista. It streams news headlines in real time to your Desktop. You can click the up or down arrows to see different story titles. Once you find an interesting story, click on it and a summary of the story will be displayed. If you want to read more, click on the title at the top of the window; your Internet Browser will open and go to the story’s web page.
Each Gadget has different settings that can be adjusted. To access this feature, click on the wrench icon at the top right corner of the Gadget. In the example, you can adjust the face of the clock, add a second hand, change the time and date, and even give the clock a name.
This free Gadget, titled "MultiSearchIt" is available on Microsoft’s web site. It is really an excellent example of how Gadgets can simplify the computing experience.
Want to look up something on Google? No problem. Type a word or phrase in the text box and hit enter; a results screen will pop open. Want to search a different online source? Select a different web site from the list in the dropdown box.
It's that easy.
Vista Gadgets are great little programs that are free and worth your time to get to know - yet one more reason to like Windows Vista.
