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Which widget platform to choose for your widget? |
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Thursday, 10 February 2011 |
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If you are going to develop a widget you need to determine where you
want the widget to display, on Windows, Mac OS/X or Linux? Most widget
engines or not multi platform, at the time of writing the only two that
are truly multi platform are Opera Widgets and Kludgets the latter of
which which is still in beta.
So, before you write your widget you need to decide which widget engine
to support. Windows is clearly the biggest o/s and with Mac OS/X
following closely after. Then the multiplicity of linux distros take up
a few remaining percent. If you follow this logic then it makes sense to
write your widget for the Apple dashboard as these gadgets are fast
becoming available for Windows too via alternative engines. At least one
widget engine has previously managed to make apple dashboard widgets run
on Windows.
Yahoo widgets is available for Windows and Macs but it won't ever be
available for Linux. I use Linux for one or two of my older laptops, it
runs quickly and works well, the thing is the only gadgets that run are
a tadge old and the choice is limited. None of my Yahoo widgets can be
made to run on Linux.
There is a possible solution though, Kludgets engine already runs in
beta on Ubuntu. The Kludgets engine also promises to have limited yahoo
widget support on it's future roadmap. So, there is the possibility your
yahoo widget will work some time in the future on Linux but not just
yet. Personally I am desperately keen on seeing my steampunk
clock/calendar Yahoo widget running on an alternative multi-platform
widget engine. It has always galled me that yahoo widgets is available
for Windows and OS/X but not linux. Keep an eye on Kludgets and give the
developer your support. Kudgets is Apple Dashboard compatible,
Webkit-based, Nokia QT-based (multi-platform), Yahoo Widget Engine
inspired and best of all is open sourced.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 12 September 2011 )
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