This weeks post is on the use of widgets in a blog. What are widgets? Well there are a handful on this very blog. First, the poll right above this text (go ahead and vote, you know you want to) is an example. The Google Ads on top (which are going to make me rich!) are another example. The Youtube bar and the News bar on the left too are widgets. Widgets are nifty little devices that add some sparkle to a page. They are embedded in the code and do not require a separate browser window, though they read their source code from a third party website. What does that mean? The text you are reading right now is sourced from the Blogspot servers. The Youtube bar on the other hand is a frame for information sourced from a third party website, which in this case is Youtube.com. Therefore, while you think you're simply visiting TifleLikeRifle, you're also actively accessing youtube and google ads as well. The poll on the blog however is sourced straight from Blogspot, but is still a widget as it adds a certain interactivity/utility to the site.
Widgets are more popularly seen in operating systems. Mac OS has widgets built in, such as clock, weather, iCal, Youtube, Gmail, etc.
Other sites like Yahoo allow you to download a widgets engine that gives Windows users the option of running widgets on the desktop. I believe Vista has this built-in but I haven't really played around with that system since adopting OSX.
Widgets are handy and fun. My favourite has to be the 'sticky note' widget for OSX. I can jot down reminders and to-do lists and place them in a visible corner of my desktop. Very handy. They definitely liven up a blog as well.
Problem: do widgets slow down blogs and websites? Yes, to an extent, as the extra step of sourcing code from third party sites and then displaying it on the primary site takes more processing. Should you stop using all widgets? I don't think so. This is not to say that you should drown your page with innane gadgets and tools, but to keep things informative and useful to the user. If you start noticing a widget paralyzing your page, then maybe you should evaluate its actual use on the site.
The widgets here are going to stay for the moment, though I think I might get rid of the News bar.
Google Ads is definitely staying put.
A worldwideweb log. Technology in foreign language education.
About Me
- Vinodh Venkatesh
- MA student at UF. UNC class of 2005. Food. Sports. Technology. Mac. Spain.
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8 comments:
You get paid for google ads? How does that work?
I think widgets are great too! I added a survey and a counter to my blog and it definatley does add "sparkle." I wasnt aware that widgets slowed down a blog. Good to know! But, I agree that the loss of speed is worth the gain in sparkle!
You get paid for google ads? How does that work?
I think widgets are great too! I added a survey and a counter to my blog and it definatley does add "sparkle." I wasnt aware that widgets slowed down a blog. Good to know! But, I agree that the loss of speed is worth the gain in sparkle!
Wow, it was interesting to read about "sticky note" widget for OSX. Never heard about it before.
It there any program to download it or run on my computer?
Thanks,
Maya
So, would you put ads on a blog you use with students?
And how rich do you actually get with google ads?
I agree widgets do a a certain "je ne sais quoi" to a blog. It also is a great way to share things with visitors. Instead of having to describe everything you can just add a widget with a video.
I really like how you added the poll widget to your blog. It was an easy way for me to share my thoughts on second life in the classroom and I could also see what others think about the subject! I think I will add a poll to my blog!
I like the poll on your blog, although I must say that your page takes a second to load, you're rigth, widgets do slow down your page. I think you should add another poll soon.
i add a poll every week. google ads pay you on a per-click basis. you get paid based on the amount of money companies pay Google to display their ads. i learnt the process when i worked for a internet-insurance company.
maya: the sticky note comes standard on OSX's dashboard function. if you don't have that, go to apple.com and the downloads section. then search for stickies.
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