WindowGadgets

Microsoft Developer Podcasts

2011-02-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

Windows Developer Center

2011-02-16T05:31:00.000-08:00

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Techy, Geeky + Cool

2011-02-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

Search Tools

2011-02-15T16:00:00.000-08:00

Safety and Security

2011-02-15T15:59:00.000-08:00

Music, Movies + TV

2011-02-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

Multimedia

2011-02-15T15:57:00.001-08:00

Miscellaneous

2011-02-15T15:56:00.002-08:00

Mail and IM

2011-02-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

Fun and Games

2011-02-15T15:55:00.000-08:00

Tools and Utilities

2011-02-15T15:54:00.000-08:00

Windows Live Writer extensions

2011-02-05T14:28:00.001-08:00

Extensions give people the ability to insert, edit, and publish new types of content.
Before uploading extensions, read the Windows Live Writer Software Development Kit (SDK) and review the following checklist:

For Content Plugin Extensions
1) Content Plugins must be built using .NET Framework 1.1 or 2.0.
2) Content Plugins must be packaged and submitted as a Microsoft Installer (*.msi).
3) If you use .NET Framework 2.0, the installer must link to the .NET 2.0 download site or use the Visual Studio 2005 Bootstrapper. The Bootstrapper detects and downloads the correct .NET Framework.
4) Your installer must copy the assembly to the "Plug-ins" sub-directory of the Windows Live Writer installation directory.

For "Blog This" extensions
1) "Blog This" extension must be packaged and submitted as a Microsoft Installer (*.msi).
2) When you submit your "Blog this" extension to the Windows Live Gallery, use the "Blog this" category on the submission form.

Each extension you submit can have metadata and an image, if you'd like.

Have an idea for a writer extension? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

Gadgets for Windows SideShow

2011-02-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Windows SideShow is a new platform in Windows Vista that enables developers to write gadgets that send data to secondary displays, such as embedded laptop lid displays, mobile phones, remote controls, keyboards, and digital picture frames. To create gadgets for Windows SideShow, use the Windows SideShow API. You can also develop gadgets that work with both Windows Sidebar and Windows SideShow-compatible devices. After you develop a gadget for Windows SideShow, consider sharing it on the Windows Live Gallery so others can enjoy it too.

Have an idea for a SideShow gadget? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about Windows SideShow-compatible devices and gadgets.

Devices

How do I know if my device, such as a mobile phone, PDA, or TV, will work with Windows SideShow?
Look for the Windows SideShow logo on your device or refer to the device manufacturer's documentation. For more information, go to the Windows SideShow website.

Should I set a PIN to lock my device?
Creating a personal identification number (PIN) is a good way to protect your information. For more information, see Make a Windows SideShow-compatible device more secure.

How many devices can I install?
There is no limit to the number of devices that you can install to use with Windows SideShow.

Why don't all of my devices appear in Control Panel?
There are several possibilities:

Some device names might be out of view. Resize the Control Panel window or use a scrollbar to see the device name.
The device might not have been installed properly. To learn more, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

Why does the screen on my device dim?
To save power, the backlight on your device may turn off before your screen turns off. Depending on the device, you may be able to change this setting. Here's how to do it:

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.
In the left pane, click the name of the device that you want to change settings for.
Clear the Turn off the backlight automatically check box, and then click OK.

How current is the information on my device?
The information on your device is as current as the information on your computer. Information is updated on your device whenever your computer is turned on and awake. For more information, see Keep information current on a Windows SideShow-compatible device.

Is information updated on my device when my computer is sleeping?
No. To keep information current while your computer is sleeping, Windows must wake your computer periodically to update information on your device. After a few minutes, your computer returns to sleep. To set your computer to wake automatically at set intervals, see Keep information current on a Windows SideShow-compatible device.

Why isn't Windows automatically waking my computer to update information on my device?
There are several possibilities:

Windows might not be set to wake your computer. For more information, see Keep information current on a Windows SideShow-compatible device.
Windows cannot wake your computer if it's turned off. Make sure it's turned on.

Why do I need to confirm my credentials to set up Windows Vista to wake my computer automatically?
Windows Vista requires that you confirm your credentials when you change certain settings, even if your account has administrator credentials. For more information, see User accounts: recommended links.

Can I use my device when my computer is turned off?
Some devices will work when your computer is turned off. To learn more, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

Can I change my device settings when my device is disconnected?
No. To change device settings, your device must be connected to your computer. The type of connection, such as universal serial bus (USB), Bluetooth adapter, or wireless network, depends on your device. If you're having problems connecting your device, see Troubleshoot problems with a Windows SideShow-compatible device.

Can I turn off notifications for gadgets on my device?
Yes. Here's how to do it:

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.
In the left pane, click the name of the device that you want to change settings for.
Under Gadgets, clear the Show notifications for gadgets on this device check box, and then click OK.

Note: This check box does not appear if the device doesn’t offer notifications.

Is data stored on my device?
It depends on the device. On some devices, data is stored unless you remove it. You can remove data automatically when you log off from your computer. Here's how to do it:

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.
Click the name of the device that you want to change settings for.
Under Security and Privacy, select the Delete information on the device when I log off from Windows check box, and then click OK.

How is information shared between my computer and my device?
Information from your computer is always downloaded to your device, never from your device to your computer.

How can I uninstall a Windows SideShow-compatible device from my computer?
You can uninstall a device in Windows SideShow in Control Panel. For more information, see Install or uninstall a Windows SideShow-compatible device.

Note: If you reinstall a device, Windows automatically detects that it is a Windows SideShow-compatible device and it appears in Control Panel.

Gadgets

How many gadgets can I turn on?
There is no limit to the number of gadgets that you can turn on. However, your device has a fixed amount of space to store information, and this space is shared by all of the gadgets. The more gadgets that you add, the less space there is for each gadget. To increase the amount of space for a gadget, turn off some of your other gadgets. For more information, see Turn a gadget on or off for a Windows SideShow-compatible device.

Why are some gadgets not compatible with my device?
Some gadgets are made for a specific Windows SideShow-compatible device and might not be compatible with the device that you're using. To learn more, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

Can I change my gadget settings?
Yes. Here's how to do it:

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.
Click the name of the gadget that you want to change settings for. If more than one device is installed, first select the name of the device that you want to change gadget settings for.
Adjust the settings for the gadget, and then click OK.

Note: If settings for a gadget are unavailable, the gadget name doesn't appear on the settings page.

Can I change gadget settings separately for each device?
No. Each gadget setting applies to all Windows SideShow-compatible devices that are installed on your computer.

Can I change the order in which gadgets appear on my device?
Yes, you can change the order of most gadgets for each device. Only gadgets that are turned on and that appear in Control Panel can be reordered. Here's how to do it:

Open Windows Sideshow by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking Windows SideShow.
Click Change the order in which gadgets appear. If more than one device is installed, select the name of the device that you want to reorder gadgets for.
In the list, click the gadget name, and then use an arrow button to move the gadget up or down in the list.
When you have finished, click OK.

Why don't my gadgets appear on my device in the order that I specified in Control Panel?
Not all devices support reordering. To learn more, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

Why don’t all of my gadgets appear in Control Panel?
Some gadgets are specific to your device, and are installed by your hardware manufacturer. If these device-specific gadgets don't appear in Control Panel, you can change the gadget settings directly on the device. To learn more, check the information that came with your device or go to the manufacturer’s website.

Windows Search technologies

2011-02-05T14:26:00.001-08:00

Windows Search can be extended to index the contents of new types of files and data sources. You can also associate icons and context-menu handlers with those items.

Get more information on creating a Windows Search add-in.

Have an idea for a search extension? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets

2011-02-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

First review the Sidebar Gadget Development Overview and the Sidebar Gadget Object Model. Once you've built your gadget, submit it to Gallery so the world can enjoy it. If you have questions while you're creating your item, go to forums to ask other developers for help.

Want to make your gadget more secure? Be sure to include checks for malicious inputs. Please also sign your gadget with a certificate so that users will know who created it.

Have an idea for a sidebar gadget? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

Check out another way to easily build and share mashups, gadgets, Web pages, and applications, regardless of whether you've had any programming experience, with Popfly. Popfly consists of two parts: Popfly Creator, a set of online visual tools, and Popfly Space, an online community to host, share, rate, comment, and even remix creations from other Popfly users. Here's a quick overview.

Windows Live Search Macros

2011-02-05T14:23:00.001-08:00

Use the search macro wizard to easily tailor Live Search's results to a specific topic. Just specify a name, description and definition. Once you have created your macro, go to the manage macros link and choose to share it on Windows Live Gallery.

Windows Live Messenger activities

2011-02-05T14:22:00.002-08:00

Windows Live Messenger allows users to invite a friend to participate in an activity together, like a game of checkers or online shopping, while continuing their IM conversations. For more on how to develop a Messenger activity, engage with other developers, and discuss your development issues, review the Messenger Activity API.

Have an idea for a Messenger activity? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

Windows Live Messenger agents

2011-02-05T14:22:00.000-08:00

Windows Live Agents are conversation agents or bots that run on MSN Messenger 7.0 and Windows Live Messenger. If you add an Agent to your contact list, it can chat, give you customer service support, perform searches, make suggestions, play games and more.

Get more information on the SDK to create standalone IM application or agents to extend your services and business applications.

Have an idea for a Messenger agent? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

Windows Live Toolbar

2011-02-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

The Windows Live Toolbar can easily be customized by adding and creating buttons for your favorite Web sites.

Create a button to search within any Web site, provide convenient shortcuts and links, or keep your users informed through an RSS feed or a mini-browser window that displays your own Web content.

Custom buttons are easy to make and can be shared through Windows Live Gallery. Each custom button is a simple, declarative XML file. That XML file is packaged with button icons into a single .cab file.

Get more information about how to make custom buttons for the Windows Live Toolbar.

Have an idea for a toolbar button? Want to see other people's ideas and requests? Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

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Web Gadgets

2011-02-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

Create personalizations for Spaces, Live.com and Events users. See the developer resources and review the following check list before uploading your Web gadgets to the Windows Live Gallery site:

1) The manifest must be named gadget.xml.
2) All URLs in the manifest and JavaScript files that refer to local files need to be relative links. They should be set relative to the root directory the manifest resides in, and not have the full path. If not, the gadget will fail from the Gallery site.
3) All necessary files need to be zipped up into one package.
4) For submission, you can add metadata and an optional image for hosting on Gallery.
5) The manifest file should be in the root folder for the zipped package.
6) Your gadget must work on both Live.com and Spaces.

Tips for making gadgets work on Spaces.

Have an idea for a Web gadget? Want to see other people's ideas and requests?
Check out Gallery forums for some creative ideas.

Check out another way to easily build and share mashups, gadgets, Web pages, and applications, regardless of whether you've had any programming experience, with Popfly. Popfly consists of two parts: Popfly Creator, a set of online visual tools, and Popfly Space, an online community to host, share, rate, comment, and even remix creations from other Popfly users. Here's a quick overview.

WindowGadgets

2011-02-05T08:34:00.001-08:00