Steps to develop your own Windows Gadgets...

1. Windows Gadgets Package
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2. CONTENT
Overview on Sidebars Gadgets
Developing a Gadget for Windows Sidebar
- Introduction
-The Files
-Steps
Scripts and its function
Proposed Gadgets
Bibliography
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3. Windows Gadgets Package
Windows Sidebar and gadgets (overview)
Windows Sidebar is a long, vertical bar that is displayed on the side
of your desktop. It contains mini-programs called Gadgets, which
offer information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently
used tools.
Why use Sidebar?
Sidebar can keep information and tools readily available for you to use.
For example, you can display news headlines right next to your open
programs. This way, if you want to keep track of what's happening in
the news while you work, you don't have to stop what you're doing to
switch to a news website, apart from that you can do much more…
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4. Developing a Gadget for Windows Sidebar
Introduction
Gadgets are lightweight HTML and script-based applications that
provide the ability to derive and present information or functionality
from a variety of sources, such as local applications and controls, or
websites and services.
Developers with experience authoring WebPages will find the process
of creating a gadget very familiar.
Windows Gadgets Package
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5. Windows Gadgets Package
Developing a Gadget for Windows Sidebar
The Files
A basic gadget consists of two files:
1. Gadget.xml - The manifest, an XML file
that contains general configuration and
presentation information for the gadget.
1. name.html - An HTML file, where name is
specified in the <name> tag of the
associated gadget manifest, that provides
the shell for the gadget UI and contains the
core functionality for the gadget.
sahib.babbar@gmail.com

6. Windows Gadgets Package
Developing a Gadget for Windows Sidebar
The Files
A basic gadget consists of two files:
1. Gadget.xml - The manifest, an XML file
that contains general configuration and
presentation information for the gadget.
1. name.html - An HTML file, where name is
specified in the <name> tag of the
associated gadget manifest, that provides
the shell for the gadget UI and contains the
core functionality for the gadget. Know more
Why XML?
The gadget "manifest" is an XML file that contains general configuration and presentation
information for a gadget. This information is presented to the user through the Gadget
Picker as gadget and developer details, along with various functional or informational icons.
Each gadget package must include a manifest.
•Sample Code
•Outlook
Source: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ff486356(v=vs.85).aspxsahib.babbar@gmail.com

7. Windows Gadgets Package
sahib.babbar@gmail.com

8. Windows Gadgets Package
Developing a Gadget for Windows Sidebar
The Steps
In general, the steps for creating a gadget are:
1. Create a development folder to contain the gadget files.It is generally good practice to
give the development folder the same name as the gadget it hosts, with the added
extension of .gadget. For example, if your gadget's name is "Test" then the development
folder should be named "Test.gadget". This reduces naming confusion later when it
comes time to install the gadget. However, the development folder can have any name
you wish.
Similarly, the development folder can be located anywhere. However, during development
and testing it is typically more efficient to place the folder in one of the system folders
associated with the Sidebar:
%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindows SidebarGadgets (for user gadgets)
%SYSTEM_ROOT%Program FilesWindows SidebarGadgets (for global gadgets)
The following image shows a gadget development folder in the
%USER_DATA%LocalMicrosoftWindows SidebarGadgets folder.
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9. Windows Gadgets Package
Developing a Gadget for Windows Sidebar
The Steps (cont…)
2. Create the manifest file and save it to the development folder. For more information on
the gadget manifest.
3. Create the core .html file and save it to the development folder.
Sample Code
4. Install the gadget, if necessary. Depending on where you created your development
folder, you may need to copy the folder or its content to one of the two previously
identified Sidebar system folders. Alternatively, you may want to package the gadget
for general distribution and test the gadget installation process.
5. Test the gadget and make revisions as necessary.
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10. Windows Gadgets Package
Scripts and its functions
A gadget is distributed as a .gadget file—a renamed .zip archive—consisting of a
collection of XML, HTML, Microsoft JScript, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) files.
Installation consists of downloading the .gadget file and allowing the download
process to install the gadget or saving the .gadget file to the local system and double-
clicking to start the installation process.
Example :- System Shutdown Gadget
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11. Windows Gadgets Package
Proposed Gadget Package (Comprises of 5 Gadgets):-
1. Windows Shortcuts Gadget.
2. Windows Shutdown, Restart, Standby, and Hibernate Gadget.
3. Windows Computer Status.
4. Internet Search engines.
5. Windows Task Manager Gadget.
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12. Source
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ff486356(v=vs.85).aspx
Bibliography
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13. Windows Gadgets Package
Any Question?
Thank You
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