Sidebar gadgets

[Homer J. Simpson]

> No offense, but that Sidebar is so Windows 95.

:-) I did say I suck at making things pretty.

But that wasn't my point here--someone more artistically inclined could make
something, for all intents and purposes, that's pretty damn close to Vista's
Sidebar. The main thing about the Sidebar is its functionality--which
Microsoft presents as new--and not its look.

As far as functionality goes, I have app launchers, shortcuts to local
folders, bookmarks, disk utilization bar graphs, and with a little more
code, I could easily embed a RSS-fed news headlines, weather data, etc. In
other words, the sidebar is hardly anything new. *That* was my main point.
Doesn't matter if its *looks* are closer to 95 than Vista.

[Zack Whittaker \(R2 Mentor\)]

Totally :op

--
Zack Whittaker
Microsoft Beta (Windows Server R2 Beta Mentor)
» ZackNET Enterprises: [url]www.zacknet.co.uk[/url]
» MSBlog on ResDev: [url]http://msblog.resdev.net[/url]
» ZackNET Forum: [url]www.zacknet.co.uk/forum[/url]
» VistaBase: [url]www.zacknet.co.uk/vistabase[/url]
» This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not
of my employer, best friend, mother or cat. Let's be clear on that one!


--- Original message follows ---
"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" <andred25@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23y2UM6tPGHA.3728@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...

> No offense, but that Sidebar is so Windows 95.
> --
> --
> Andre
> Windows Connect | [url]http://www.windowsconnected.com[/url]
> Extended64 | [url]http://www.extended64.com[/url]
> Blog | [url]http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre[/url]
> [url]http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta[/url]
>
> "Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
> news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
>>> also
>>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me one
>>> happy chappy :o)

>>
>> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003) by
>> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
>> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
>> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
>> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting, spit
>> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making things
>> *pretty*.
>>
>> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista doesn't
>> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness.
>> The capability's been there for years.
>>
>>
>>

>
>

[Steve Drake]

It does add a few things, like, each gadget has its own area to save its own
settings, this means you can add the same gadget twice and they get there
own config, its not the gadget writer that does this, is the framework.

sorry, I said a few, and that's only one :) ..... ah, its glass :) but its
glass with bugs, if I maximize any window, the glass is not longer see
through, I can sort of understand why it happen but it also happens when you
maximize a window on another screen :).

why it wasn't all done with WPF is another thing, maybe sidebar v2 will be
WPF, you can put WPF in IE so it is possible to create WPF gadgets.

Steve


"Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
>> also
>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me one
>> happy chappy :o)

>
> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003) by
> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting, spit
> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making things
> *pretty*.
>
> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista doesn't
> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness. The
> capability's been there for years.
>
>
>

[Deborggraeve Randy]

Is using htlm the only way to build gadgets?

Just looking at the WinFX samples. There is a GadgetUILibrary sample in it.
[url]http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/wpf_samples/html/8ce3ab16-bf1f-498b-8e69-6ac4c3c559ce.asp[/url]

If this for building gadgets for the sidebar? When i run those samples they
just show on the desktop. When u look at the sample page on msdn, it says to
run the ConsoleHost.exe first ... only i can't find this file on my pc :(

Only thing i really miss in the sidebar is the media player that shows in
the taskbar when minimized (like the sidebar in beta1)

"Steve Drake" <steve@_NOSPAMDrakey.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4A3150F6-FDEB-468F-8973-529846C4CD7A@microsoft.com...

> It does add a few things, like, each gadget has its own area to save its
> own settings, this means you can add the same gadget twice and they get
> there own config, its not the gadget writer that does this, is the
> framework.
>
> sorry, I said a few, and that's only one :) ..... ah, its glass :) but its
> glass with bugs, if I maximize any window, the glass is not longer see
> through, I can sort of understand why it happen but it also happens when
> you maximize a window on another screen :).
>
> why it wasn't all done with WPF is another thing, maybe sidebar v2 will be
> WPF, you can put WPF in IE so it is possible to create WPF gadgets.
>
> Steve
>
>
> "Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
> news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
>>> also
>>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me one
>>> happy chappy :o)

>>
>> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003) by
>> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
>> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
>> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
>> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting, spit
>> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making things
>> *pretty*.
>>
>> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista doesn't
>> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness.
>> The capability's been there for years.
>>
>>
>>

>

[Deborggraeve Randy]

oops ... wrong link

[url]http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/xtsample/html/3b15c6d1-ae5a-44a0-815d-1c61dcc99878.asp[/url]

"Deborggraeve Randy" <randy1130@moerstaal.nl> wrote in message
news:OjmRfP7PGHA.456@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

> Is using htlm the only way to build gadgets?
>
> Just looking at the WinFX samples. There is a GadgetUILibrary sample in
> it.
> [url]http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/wpf_samples/html/8ce3ab16-bf1f-498b-8e69-6ac4c3c559ce.asp[/url]
>
> If this for building gadgets for the sidebar? When i run those samples
> they just show on the desktop. When u look at the sample page on msdn, it
> says to run the ConsoleHost.exe first ... only i can't find this file on
> my pc :(
>
> Only thing i really miss in the sidebar is the media player that shows in
> the taskbar when minimized (like the sidebar in beta1)
>
> "Steve Drake" <steve@_NOSPAMDrakey.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:4A3150F6-FDEB-468F-8973-529846C4CD7A@microsoft.com...

>> It does add a few things, like, each gadget has its own area to save its
>> own settings, this means you can add the same gadget twice and they get
>> there own config, its not the gadget writer that does this, is the
>> framework.
>>
>> sorry, I said a few, and that's only one :) ..... ah, its glass :) but
>> its glass with bugs, if I maximize any window, the glass is not longer
>> see through, I can sort of understand why it happen but it also happens
>> when you maximize a window on another screen :).
>>
>> why it wasn't all done with WPF is another thing, maybe sidebar v2 will
>> be WPF, you can put WPF in IE so it is possible to create WPF gadgets.
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> "Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
>> news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>>>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
>>>> also
>>>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me
>>>> one
>>>> happy chappy :o)
>>>
>>> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003) by
>>> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
>>> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
>>> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
>>> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting, spit
>>> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making things
>>> *pretty*.
>>>
>>> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista doesn't
>>> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness.
>>> The capability's been there for years.
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>

>

[Steve Drake]

I 'think' at present the only way is html, but.... you can put anything in
html, I would like to a WPF VS2005 template that create the stub for a
gadget that uses WPF inside a HTML holder.

I think the very early pre beta e.g. the PDC build did things different.

Steve


"Deborggraeve Randy" <randy1130@moerstaal.nl> wrote in message
news:OjmRfP7PGHA.456@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

> Is using htlm the only way to build gadgets?
>
> Just looking at the WinFX samples. There is a GadgetUILibrary sample in
> it.
> [url]http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/wpf_samples/html/8ce3ab16-bf1f-498b-8e69-6ac4c3c559ce.asp[/url]
>
> If this for building gadgets for the sidebar? When i run those samples
> they just show on the desktop. When u look at the sample page on msdn, it
> says to run the ConsoleHost.exe first ... only i can't find this file on
> my pc :(
>
> Only thing i really miss in the sidebar is the media player that shows in
> the taskbar when minimized (like the sidebar in beta1)
>
> "Steve Drake" <steve@_NOSPAMDrakey.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:4A3150F6-FDEB-468F-8973-529846C4CD7A@microsoft.com...

>> It does add a few things, like, each gadget has its own area to save its
>> own settings, this means you can add the same gadget twice and they get
>> there own config, its not the gadget writer that does this, is the
>> framework.
>>
>> sorry, I said a few, and that's only one :) ..... ah, its glass :) but
>> its glass with bugs, if I maximize any window, the glass is not longer
>> see through, I can sort of understand why it happen but it also happens
>> when you maximize a window on another screen :).
>>
>> why it wasn't all done with WPF is another thing, maybe sidebar v2 will
>> be WPF, you can put WPF in IE so it is possible to create WPF gadgets.
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> "Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
>> news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

>>>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
>>>> also
>>>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me
>>>> one
>>>> happy chappy :o)
>>>
>>> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003) by
>>> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
>>> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
>>> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
>>> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting, spit
>>> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making things
>>> *pretty*.
>>>
>>> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista doesn't
>>> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness.
>>> The capability's been there for years.
>>>
>>>
>>>

>>

>

[pinboard]

Hello,

Where does this ConsoleHost.exe come from?

I installed:
1. Windows Vista CTP - February 2006 - Build 5308 (64-bit)
2. Microsoft Windows Vista SDK of February 2006 CTP, that includes the WinFX
SDK content.
3. WinFX 3.0 Beta 2 RTC

After all, ConsoleHost.exe will still not appear on this system.
By the way, I found another sample (Recipe Viewer Sample) referring
ConsoleHost.exe.

The "Gadget UI Library" samples deals with
"..interoperability to embed WPF user interface in non-rectangular windows.."
and the sidebar is not a theme (or have I missed something?).

Best regards, pinboard

"Deborggraeve Randy" wrote:

> Is using htlm the only way to build gadgets?
>
> Just looking at the WinFX samples. There is a GadgetUILibrary sample in it.
> [url]http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/wpf_samples/html/8ce3ab16-bf1f-498b-8e69-6ac4c3c559ce.asp[/url]
>
> If this for building gadgets for the sidebar? When i run those samples they
> just show on the desktop. When u look at the sample page on msdn, it says to
> run the ConsoleHost.exe first ... only i can't find this file on my pc :(
>
> Only thing i really miss in the sidebar is the media player that shows in
> the taskbar when minimized (like the sidebar in beta1)
>
> "Steve Drake" <steve@_NOSPAMDrakey.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:4A3150F6-FDEB-468F-8973-529846C4CD7A@microsoft.com...

> > It does add a few things, like, each gadget has its own area to save its
> > own settings, this means you can add the same gadget twice and they get
> > there own config, its not the gadget writer that does this, is the
> > framework.
> >
> > sorry, I said a few, and that's only one :) ..... ah, its glass :) but its
> > glass with bugs, if I maximize any window, the glass is not longer see
> > through, I can sort of understand why it happen but it also happens when
> > you maximize a window on another screen :).
> >
> > why it wasn't all done with WPF is another thing, maybe sidebar v2 will be
> > WPF, you can put WPF in IE so it is possible to create WPF gadgets.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
> > "Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
> > news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

> >>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
> >>> also
> >>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me one
> >>> happy chappy :o)
> >>
> >> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003) by
> >> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
> >> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
> >> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
> >> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting, spit
> >> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making things
> >> *pretty*.
> >>
> >> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista doesn't
> >> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness.
> >> The capability's been there for years.
> >>
> >>
> >>

> >

>
>

[Tekguru (Daron Brewood)]

On Fri, 3 Mar 2006 04:51:27 -0800, pinboard wrote:

> will be there any approach of implementing gadgets for the
> windows vista sidebar platform other then DHTML?

Speaking of gadgets, if one uses the link to obtain more gadgets I can see
plenty of them listed but can't find a way to install them, or am I missing
something obvious?
--
Tekguru (Daron Brewood)
MS-MVP/Mobile Devices

Webmaster: UKs largest Pocket PC Site
[url]http://www.4WinMobile.com[/url]

[pinboard]

Hello Tekguru,

there is a link where writing and installing gadgets
for the sidebar is a little explained:
[url]http://microsoftgadgets.com/Sidebar/DevelopmentOverview.aspx[/url]
Perhaps this may help to understand how it works.
I did several times (writing my owns, installing them).
It's not that complicated.

There is also a word document with a short API reference documentation for
the sidebar platform (HTML scripting):
[url]http://microsoftgadgets.com/Build/[/url]
(Windows Vista Feb. CTP - Sidebar Gadget Object Model)

Best regards, pinboard

"Tekguru (Daron Brewood)" wrote:

> On Fri, 3 Mar 2006 04:51:27 -0800, pinboard wrote:
>

> > will be there any approach of implementing gadgets for the
> > windows vista sidebar platform other then DHTML?

>
> Speaking of gadgets, if one uses the link to obtain more gadgets I can see
> plenty of them listed but can't find a way to install them, or am I missing
> something obvious?
> --
> Tekguru (Daron Brewood)
> MS-MVP/Mobile Devices
>
> Webmaster: UKs largest Pocket PC Site
> [url]http://www.4WinMobile.com[/url]
>

[Deborggraeve Randy]

Also noticed there is a ConsoleHost refered to the Recipe viewer samples but
i got errors compiling it :(

"pinboard" <pinboard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2080034A-B0EE-4D8A-9A3E-CE733286AC6D@microsoft.com...

> Hello,
>
> Where does this ConsoleHost.exe come from?
>
> I installed:
> 1. Windows Vista CTP - February 2006 - Build 5308 (64-bit)
> 2. Microsoft Windows Vista SDK of February 2006 CTP, that includes the
> WinFX
> SDK content.
> 3. WinFX 3.0 Beta 2 RTC
>
> After all, ConsoleHost.exe will still not appear on this system.
> By the way, I found another sample (Recipe Viewer Sample) referring
> ConsoleHost.exe.
>
> The "Gadget UI Library" samples deals with
> "..interoperability to embed WPF user interface in non-rectangular
> windows.."
> and the sidebar is not a theme (or have I missed something?).
>
> Best regards, pinboard
>
> "Deborggraeve Randy" wrote:
>

>> Is using htlm the only way to build gadgets?
>>
>> Just looking at the WinFX samples. There is a GadgetUILibrary sample in
>> it.
>> [url]http://windowssdk.msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/wpf_samples/html/8ce3ab16-bf1f-498b-8e69-6ac4c3c559ce.asp[/url]
>>
>> If this for building gadgets for the sidebar? When i run those samples
>> they
>> just show on the desktop. When u look at the sample page on msdn, it says
>> to
>> run the ConsoleHost.exe first ... only i can't find this file on my pc :(
>>
>> Only thing i really miss in the sidebar is the media player that shows in
>> the taskbar when minimized (like the sidebar in beta1)
>>
>> "Steve Drake" <steve@_NOSPAMDrakey.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:4A3150F6-FDEB-468F-8973-529846C4CD7A@microsoft.com...

>> > It does add a few things, like, each gadget has its own area to save
>> > its
>> > own settings, this means you can add the same gadget twice and they get
>> > there own config, its not the gadget writer that does this, is the
>> > framework.
>> >
>> > sorry, I said a few, and that's only one :) ..... ah, its glass :) but
>> > its
>> > glass with bugs, if I maximize any window, the glass is not longer see
>> > through, I can sort of understand why it happen but it also happens
>> > when
>> > you maximize a window on another screen :).
>> >
>> > why it wasn't all done with WPF is another thing, maybe sidebar v2 will
>> > be
>> > WPF, you can put WPF in IE so it is possible to create WPF gadgets.
>> >
>> > Steve
>> >
>> >
>> > "Homer J. Simpson" <root@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
>> > news:eysAVetPGHA.3856@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> >>> What's great, is that they'll be able to support Flash files as well,
>> >>> also
>> >>> other bits and bobs that Internet Explorer uses, so this has made me
>> >>> one
>> >>> happy chappy :o)
>> >>
>> >> Thing is, you can already do all of this with XP (and 2000, and 2003)
>> >> by
>> >> embedding an IE browser in a toolbar docked on the side of the screen.
>> >> The attached file (I know, no binaries, but it's under 30K) is a
>> >> screenshot of such a toolbar I've implemented years ago--and still
>> >> occasionally work on--with nothing more than ASP/DHTML, scripting,
>> >> spit
>> >> and bubblegum. :-) You'll notice though that I do suck at making
>> >> things
>> >> *pretty*.
>> >>
>> >> I've said it before (and probably in this newsgroup too)--Vista
>> >> doesn't
>> >> really bring anything new with Gadgets, except for general awareness.
>> >> The capability's been there for years.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >

>>
>>

[Daron Brewood \(MVP\)]

My thanks for that I'll read through it later!

"pinboard" <pinboard@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6D922A74-10BE-4C85-B8F1-39AF5B4A0A91@microsoft.com...

> Hello Tekguru,
>
> there is a link where writing and installing gadgets
> for the sidebar is a little explained:
> [url]http://microsoftgadgets.com/Sidebar/DevelopmentOverview.aspx[/url]
> Perhaps this may help to understand how it works.
> I did several times (writing my owns, installing them).
> It's not that complicated.
>