Widget Finder : A Map for the Widgetsphere

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The Widget Finder Lens

An easy way to find the widgets you want and the gadgets you need. Discover the best tools to build your blog, feed your space and pump up your PC.

Widgets are tools that make it easy for you to customize your web pages, desktops or mobile devices with cool new features.

In the world of software applications the names widget and gadget are interchangeable. Some developers call their products widgets and others call them gadgets, it's just a branding thing so don't be confused.



DIY Design

These mini-applications allow you to accessorize and personalize your electronic devices and web projects in powerful ways. The development of widget applications is continuous and new apps appear daily. You can think of these apps as bling for blogs and simple modular systems that extend the function of your desktop environment.

There are widgets for playing games, music, slideshows, videos, weather forecasts, news feeds, whatever... you name it, there's probably a widget that does it!

That's where Widget Finder can help you find the right tools for the job.



Quick Social Connections






  • Squidoogle -Search the entire Squidoo network for interesting lenses. Grab the search box widget for your own pages.

  • Delicious - People bookmarking this lens.



Credits

The image at the top of this lens is created and distributed by Andy Hayes under a Creative Commons license.

Plusnet - my UK Broadband provider (recommmended).



Wikipedia Links

For more information on Computer Widgets see Wikipedia Web widget, Wikipedia Widget computing, Widget Toolkits and Dashboard Software.

This Lens is Twinned with Feed Pitstop 

Getting Started

About Widget Finder 

Widget Finder connects you with the best resources for tailoring your unique web presence and profile. The hand-picked links help you to find widgets for social spaces and blogging services including Blogger, Facebook, Live Spaces, MySpace, TypePad, WordPress, Xanga and more. You can also add useful applications and media to your main computer or mobile devices.

Learn How-to... 


  • Build a dynamic, content rich blog with multimedia capabilities. 

  • Create your own Start Page from hundreds of ready made widgets with no knowledge of HTML. 

  • Automatically generate attractive design components like animations, buttons, signs and site templates.

  • Express yourself more effectively using site customization and design enhancements.

  • Develop your own widgets and gadgets for the major widget platforms. 

Discovery Tools

Overview. 

Here's a quick round-up of what you'll find here:

  • The Widget Finder search swicki for finding specific widget resources and sites.
  • Links to the best sites for MySpace layouts and other web design components.
  • Podsafe audio and video for your widgets and gadgets (scroll to Widget Content module at bottom of lens).
  • Squidoo Plexos - Custom built lists that can be grabbed for use on other lenses, distributed via RSS feeds and embedded in webpages (see Widget Content module).

Search Tools 

Widget Finder Swicki
Optimized for widget hunting, web-based tools and design solutions. You can also compare results from major search engines side-by-side and search two engines simultaneously including Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Ask Jeeves.
Put a Widget Finder Search Box on your Site
Embed the swicki searchbox and buzzcloud on your own site.

Widget Buzz

Buzz Tracking 

You can use this section to track breaking news in the widgetsphere and social networking scenes.

Feeds from top tech blogs and news networks help you follow the latest widget and Web 2.0 developments.

Blog Conversations 

Fresh blog posts about widgets.
App Review: Forecast Weather Widget v2 (it's the best) | Android ...
If your goal is quick, accurate weather information on your Android phone, stop hunting through Market. Weather Forecast Widget v2 is the most solidly.
Shopeei Widget : Yahoo widgets | Firefox extensions, Opera plugins ...
Shopeei Widget is another widget for Yahoo Widgets. With the aid of this widget you can conveniently search for goods on Shopeei.com web site.
Sign in widget not working - error message for commenting ...
Although I haven't changed the sign in widget, the Javascript portion of it has stopped working. My blog is www.slade-media.com. As you can see, it's just the title and nothing under it. I have also tried commenting and it gives me the ...
Get The Most From The Top Commentator Widget
Here on Teenius, one of the things I often seem to be rambling on about is the Top Commentator Widget. Incase you don't know, the TC Widget is a Wordpress Plugin that shows a list of the people who have left the most comments on your ...

Widgetsphere News 

A mashup of top widget blog feeds updated hourly.

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Web 2.0 News 

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Widget Blogs 

News and commentary

Blogs specializing in web gadgets and widgets.
Dave's FeedRaider - Aggregated Blog Feeds
Quickly scan multiple news feeds from top widget blogs.
Live Gadgets
Covers articles and links to important gadget resources.
Sexy Widget
Devoted to reviewing and testing widgets, badges, and blog bling of all types.
Snipperoo
Discusses new widget developments, ideas and business practices.
The Flip Side
A blog and podcast for widget developers.
The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW)
Widget Watch for Dashboard widgets and web-based services.
Widgetslab
A collection of hot widgets and resources.
Widgetoko
Tracks new and popular site widgets to put on your blog, homepage or profile.
Widgify
Discussing the emerging Widgetsphere.

Social Bookmarks

widgets & generators

Delicious Widget Buzz 

Delicious Source

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Delicious Generator Buzz 

Delicious Source

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Widgets in Action

A YouTube Widget 

Widgets are an important delivery component in the formation of niche markets. The distribution of music and video is a good example of the way widgets feed the digital economy in a viral manner. Chris Anderson has researched how new technologies are rapidly changing purchasing habits and provides insight on his blog longtail.com and in his book "The Long Tail" (available below). The following movie trailer is an example of widgetized promotion.

Day of the Longtail

Movie Trailer: In celebration of the publication of Chris Anderson's book, "The Long Tail," The old world of media faces an invasion from another planet. The horror. The horror. (By Michael Markman, Peter Hirshberg, Bob Kalsey; Produced for The Computer History Museum) http://www.thelongtail.com/ More info: Chris's book examines the economic models for distributing content. It's now possible to move from having a few megahits controlled by a limited number of publishers to having thousands even millions of titles available all the time. YouTube is a big part of this revolution. We made this video from the perspective of the old line media companies who might view the Long Tail revolution as a threat.

Runtime: 2:13
444799 views
10 Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Mediaspheres - Grazr Widget 

A widget example you can use

This Mediaspheres Widget was made using opmlmanager.com to create an aggregated feed outline, the URL of which was input to the Grazr widget builder.

The resulting widget delivers a dynamic selection of Internet Technology and Music feeds for easy reading, media streaming and MP3 downloading.

Grazr.com lets you create powerful and flexible widgets using RSS feeds and web links.

Shared Widgets

The Power of Plexo 

Widget Finder Plexos are user-generated lists for recommending widgets and gadgets. Plexos are widgets in their own right, that have auto-generated codes for embedding on web pages and RSS feeds for list updates.

Use the Plexo below to share some widget love.

Gadgets on Amazon 

Cast your votes for the coolest gadgets on Amazon. Share your favorite products at Gadgetzon

Nintendo Wii

Nintendo Wii

MODEL- WII VENDOR- NINTENDO FEATURES- Wii Console more...1 point

Apple TV

Apple TV

Take movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts more...1 point

SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player

SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player

Digital media player, FM radio, voice recorder. Fl more...1 point

Archos 705 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB)

Archos 705 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (160 GB)

Wireless portable media player with 7" Touch more...1 point

Cube World Series 1: Slim & Scoop

Cube World Series 1: Slim & Scoop

CUBEWORLD SERIES #1 (SLIM &amp more...0 points

view all 41 items
created by DavidHolmes

Widget Platforms

Desktop Widgets 

Mini-applications you can run from your Mac or PC desktop.
Apple - Mac OS X - Dashboard
Provides an overview of features and access to widget downloads.
Best Widgets for Music: Roundup in Review
Peter Kirn from CreateDigitalMusic.com presents a selection of Konfabulator and Dashboard widgets for the desktop.
Dashboard Widgets - Downloads
Amazing widgets for your Apple Mac OS X dashboard.
KlipFolio.com
A personal dashboard software platform that displays weather, stocks, photos, lists and more.
Wikipedia Microsoft Gadgets & Other Desktop Widget Products
Windows Sidebar and Desktop Gadgets are a feature of the forth-coming Windows Vista operating system, that will also be available for Windows XP. This page includes links to several other desktop widget products.
Windows Live Gallery
Get microsoft gadgets (widgets) and toolbars.
Yahoo! Widgets
Desktop Widgets for Mac and PC.

Mobile Widgets 

Widgets you can use on mobile phones and portable devices.
Bitty Browser Mobile Version
m.bitty.com allows you to use your mobile phone to browse lite versions of many popular websites.
Widsets
Mini-applications for Java-enabled phones. Browse the collection or create your own.

Web Widgets 

Blogging, Distribution, Social Networking, Start Pages

Access widgets for major blogging platforms, social networks and start pages. Create and share your own widgets with no knowledge of web programming. See also the Widget Collections module below this one for similar resources.
Bitty Browser
A little browser you can add to Web pages, blogs, spaces or personal start pages like Google, Live.com, Netvibes, as mentioned below. You can automatically create a fully navigable mini-browser made from web URLs, RSS, OPML, podcasts, and other Web services like del.icio.us, Google, Flickr, ODEO, YouTube and more.
Facebook Powertools: 150+ Apps, Scripts and Add-ons
A selection of browser extensions, desktop applications, Greasemonkey scripts and Facebook apps. Via Mashable! - The Social Networking Blog.
Facebook Widgets - Find useful Facebook widgets
News for Facebook users and developers alike.
Google Friend Connect
A catalog of gadgets with engaging social features to help you grow traffic.
Google Gadgets for your Webpage
A directory of miniature-sized objects that offer cool and dynamic content that can be placed on any page on the web.
Google Homepage Modules
Allows you to add Gadget modules to your Google start-page for a wide range of applications.
Microsoft Gadgets
Mini-applications for Windows Sidebar and Live.com, and Windows Live Spaces.
MuseStorm
A Widget Engine and Distribution Service for publishers and Content Owners. Automatically widgetize content and syndicate it to blogs, social networks and websites. Provides analytics and detailed information about distribution, reach, effectiveness and adoption across the Web.
Social Networking
A list of social networking services.
Startpages - various
A list of start pages that allow you to create a customized webpage using in-built widgets.
SpringWidgets
A desktop and Web widget platform with a growing range of custom built mini-applications.
TypePad Widgets
Typepad have partnered with various companies and created a widget directory which makes it easy for bloggers to add new elements to their blogs.
Widgipedia
A cross-platform resource for both users and developers of widgets and gadgets. Supports Yahoo! Widgets; Dashboard; Microsoft Vista Sidebar; Opera; Kapsules; DesktopX; Samurize; KlipFolio; AveDesk.
Wikipedia List of Social Networking Websites
Provides descriptions of focus, user count and type of registration.
Widget Squid | Squidoo Friendly Web Widgets
A widget directory specializing in Squidoo third party widgets. Find widgets that will work on the Squidoo platform. A useful resource for lensmasters wanting additional content features.
Windows Live Gallery
Gadgets for Live Spaves and other cool things to personalize your Windows Live and PC experiences.
Windows Live Spaces - The Space Craft
Official Live Space for news and information about Spaces developments.
WordPress Widgets
A blog and resource for Wordpress Sidebar Widgets.
Yahoo Publisher Network
Yahoo's web page enhancement services including search engine builder, social action buttons, Flickr badges, del.icio.us badges and other widgets.

Widget Directories 

Useful resources for finding all types of widgets. Many of the items on these lists are online applications that require no install procedure and can be accessed from any computer.
Best stuff to put on your blog sidebar
A list of cool stuff to feed your websites.
Blog Tools
Weblog Compendium's list of blog tools.
Essential Wordpress Plugins
A list of recommended plugins that add extra functionality to Wordpress applications.
i-use-this
A catalog of applications tagged with widget. Covers mainly Mac and Windows widget apps and platforms. The site uses a rating system based on popularity.
LabPixies Gadgets
Creators of quality interactive components for the personalized environment. Gadgets range from entertainment gadgets such as games, music and videos to utilities such as search tools and calculators.
MuseStorm - Web 2.0 Gateway
A free service with a range of Web Widgets for bloggers and Web site owners. Aggregated dynamic content using RSS feeds and Web APIs can be added to any Web page without programming knowledge.
Opera Browser
A directory of widgets for the Opera 9 Beta.
ProgrammableWeb widgets
A collection of web-mashup widgets.
Snipperroo Widget Directory
A categorized database for finding and sharing widgets.
StickiWidgets
Provides services and widgets for WordPress, Stickam, MySpace, Friendster, etc. Much of the focus is on building extended functionality for Stickam.com the multimedia communications tool.
Web-Based Players
Add-on media players and playlist managers.
Widgetbox
An online directory of web widgets for blogs and other web pages.

Widget Development

Developer Resources 

DIY & Professional Services

Explore widget interface and design resources or build your own.
Building Konfabulator Widgets
A squidoo lens designed as a tip sheet to guide programmers into the Konfabulator environment.
Dapper: The Data Mapper
A service which makes it easy to access and distribute content from any website.
Dashcode Developer Beta
Dashcode is a new application for developing Dashboard widgets coming in Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard). The beta release has been scaled back to be compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
GadgetSpark - Vista Sidebar Gadget Development
Inexpensive and timely development of Vista Sidebar Gadgets for business and marketing. Creates custom Gadget applications to your exact specifications. Gadgets are listed on both the Gadget Spark website and Microsoft Windows Live Gallery so Vista users can easily find and install it on their sidebars.
Google Gadgets API - Overview
Create little applications that run on multiple sites, including Google Personalized Homepage, Google Desktop, Google Page Creator, and other sites.
Google Gadgets Tutorial
How to make Google gadgets regardless of your skill level, even if you do not know any coding.
Live Gadgets Software Development Kit
Learn how to create Windows Live Gadgets.
Makezine.com: Make an RSS Widget
Step-by-step tutorial for making a Mac OS X Dashboard widget for the desktop.
Mapufacture
A GeoRSS aggregator that lets you layer multiple GeoRSS feeds from different sources into a single map. Search the database of GeoRSS feeds by keyword and location, results are themselves available as GeoRSS feeds.
Openkapow
RoboMaker visual scripting tool which allows for an easy point and click interface to mashup anything on the web that has a URL. Robots can be deployed, shared and run for free non-commercial use as REST, RSS, ATOM or HTML services on openkapow.
Pipes: Rewire the web
Interactive feed aggregator and manipulator for remixing web feeds and sites.
Widgetopia
A collection of widgets and UI elements from various websites, with descriptions and insightful commentary.
WyaCracker
Wyacracker is a free web-based service that allows anyone to build a widget without any programming or writing code. Wyacracker Widgets can be e-mailed, inserted into blogs, incorporated into web pages or other Internet publishing tools. (Launch pending).
Organic Incentive
Provide tools so users with absolutely no programming experience can create viral widgets.
Sprout
A web-based WYSIWYG widget creation tool.

Feed Tools - XML - RSS - OPML 

Find information feeds and get the tools you need to share them effectively.
Feed Mixers
A list of tools that allow you to mix and merge multiple feed sources.
Feed Pitstop - RSS Tools
A one-stop lens for web-feed discovery, management and promotion tools.
Grazr
A browser program that is used to display various types of feeds in RSS, RDF and Atom formats, OPML files. The widget can be embedded within any Web page or a standalone browser can be launched from a link.
opmlmanager.com
An online webservice that makes maintaining your own opml-file very easy. This opml-file can be a file that is part of a distributed directory, used in Widgets like Grazr.com or Bitty.com, a subscriptionlist, a readinglist, a file you use for Taskable.com, etc. See the Grazr widget example below.
Optimal
An OPML browser and widget generator for embedding the browser in webpages.
RSS Compendium - RSS Feeds
Links to major collections of feeds in all categories.
Search Engine RSS Generators
A list of search engines that can generate custom RSS feeds. For example TagJag.com is a meta-search engine that lets you generate aggregated RSS and OPML feeds from a wide range of web sources.
Web Buzz Explorer
A list of buzz sites that are useful for harnessing the power of crowds and social networks. Many of the resources can generate feeds for tracking the most recent and most popular media.

Web Design Tools

Design Hacks 

Blogger, MySpace, Windows Live Spaces, Yahoo 360

Find the inside info on all the latest hacks and solutions for these key services. Get peer guidance and expert knowledge from other users in the community.
Blogger Forum - Blog Add-ons
This link takes you straight to the blog add-on forum for Google's Blogger.com community.
Freshblog
Blogger hacks, categories, tips and tricks.
Hack MSN Spaces
Customisation tips and tutorials for Windows Live Spaces.
Little Fish Big Pond
Windows Live Spaces codes and how-tos.
MySpace Bunny
Myspace pimper with cursors, backgrounds, glitter graphics, contact tables, layouts, etc. Stuff can be easliy used on your Friendster or Hi5 profile too.
MySpace Hacks
A collaborative project that shares cool hacks, tips and widgets to help you make your MySpace profile totally hyphy. This is a good place to start learning about enhancing your space.
Pimp My MSN Space
More tutorials and hacks for Windows Live Spaces.
The HTML Masters
MySpace group for help with group editing, profile editing, HTML, CSS, DHTML, etc.
Y-360 : Yahoo! 360 Users Group
Provides help, tools, tips and resources to get the most from your Yahoo! 360 blog.
ThemeForest - Web Site Templates
A marketplace for buying and selling website templates and CMS themes for all sorts of products, like Blogger, WordPress, Drupal and Joomla. Prices start from around $10.
Flashden - Flash Components
Buy and sell files to use in your Adobe Flash projects. You'll find everything from preloaders to site templates, all selling for as little as $1.

Code Generators 

Gadget code generators, tools and resources to help you build better blogs and spaces.
Color Scheme Generators and Resources
A list of online tools for creating color schemes/palettes or sites with collections of schemes you can use or draw inspiration from. Also links to general useful color theory sites and color related web toys.
Custom Sign Generator Page
Web-based image creators for logos, buttons, banners, email signatures, comics, signs, support ribbons, labels, barcodes, 3D pics, title bars, taggers, e-cards, etc.
Flip My Text - Funny Text for Twitter Myspace Facebook YouTube & Blogs
Type Upside Down Text in HTML plus a range of online applications for generating personalized designs.
Free Online Banner, Logo and Button Generators
A list of online generators.
GenerateIt - Image Generators, Website Tools, CSS Generators
A free resource site for webmasters to take some of the hassle out of creating everyday items for their website.
Generator Links
A list of links to generator resources and similar lists.
iFrame Code Generator
Wraps an URL in an iFrame, useful for adding widgets to sites like Squidoo.
Image & Sign Generator Blog
A blog related to all neat web widgets that allow you to customize/personalize various real signs (photochop edits) and faked photographs/images.
Online tools, generators, checkers
A list of free online tools that help you to program, design, develop and optimize your site.
OPML Generator
A tool to help you generate large files of keyword-based RSS feeds at one time.
POQbum
Flash toys, graphics, codes, games, and generators to brighten your blogs.
The Generator Blog
Showcases tools for creating fun web designs and software for web pages.
Seventh Sanctum
Text based generator tools for writers, gamers, and artists. Create random characters, plots, names and concepts for a variety of stles and situations. Useful when you need inspiration, or just a bit of amusement.
Sign Generators
A list of image generator widgets.

Web Design Resources 

Cool sites for layouts, CSS designs, web design news, materials and tutorials.
Avatar Factory
A collection of free, quality avatars.
Createblog
A community driven blog support website, containing free layouts, scripts, graphics and tutorials for a range of services.
CuStickam
The official profile generator for Stickam.com, is a custom profile creator that allows you to create profiles and save them for future use. Provides an image library.
Free Stock Photos for Web and Design
A list of royalty-free photo archives.
Most Inspired
Web design Zeitgeist with gallerries, news and tutorials.
Pimp My Profile
A large selection of MySpace layouts, codes, generators, editors and graphics. Also provides codes you can use to customize your profiles on Xanga, Friendster, Tagworld, hi5 and other sites. Tools include HTML editors and generators.
Protolize
Essential web tools in one place. Shared resources for web designers and developers, designed to increase productivity.
Web Developer's Handbook
An excellent collection of resource links for web developers and designers.

Space Layouts, Profile Editors, Generators 

Resources for social spaces including MySpace Layouts, Generators, Graphics, Codes, Backgrounds and links to related sites.
Mashable! - MySpace Codes
Regular blog posts focusing on Web 2.0 services and widgets relating to MySpace and other social networks.
MyFlashFetish
MySpace MP3 Players (Flash MP3 Players), MySpace Slideshows for your MySpace profile. Free and pretty cool for your Friendster, blog, website and more.
MyGen
All Types.
My Profile Pimp
All types including layouts and Flash widgets.
MySpaceHun.com
A MySpace help site with free profile layouts, myspace generators, profile tweaks, html codes, glitter graphics, etc.
MySpaceGrill
All types.
MySupportSpace
All types.
Profile Pimp
All types.
Thomas' MySpace Editor
An online editor for generating custom layouts you can post in your MySpace profile.
Zobbler
All types.

Reader Tools

Widget Content Management 

Find free media tools and ready-packed Plexos for webmasters.

Mediascape Books 

Recommended reading on the changing, integrated mediascape. Books about social media, virtual communities, cultural anthropology, and the future of the Internet. You can share this reading list on your own web site by grabbing the widget code or RSS feed.

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

Tribes make our world work and this book will help more...1 point

Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why it Matters by Bill Tancer

Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why it Matters by Bill Tancer

Takes us behind the scenes into the massive databa more...1 point

Community Created Content. Law, Business and Policy by Herkko Hietanen; Ville Oksanen; Mikko Valimaki

Community Created Content. Law, Business and Policy by Herkko Hietanen; Ville Oksanen; Mikko Valimaki

Summarizes the law, business and policy of communi more...0 points

Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day by Gina Trapani

Lifehacker: 88 Tech Tricks to Turbocharge Your Day by Gina Trapani

Personal productivity tips for tweaking, modding, more...0 points

Overclocked: Stories of the Future Present by Cory Doctorow

Overclocked: Stories of the Future Present by Cory Doctorow

Explores the benefits and consequences of online s more...0 points

view all 23 items

Get Connected 

Introduce youself, share your own projects, make connections, leave some feedback.

Lensmaster

Dan wrote

The Microsoft Gadgets are exactlly what I need to make a post on my blog.
You have a huge list of useful resouces. I have bookemarked for later use - your list is too big to be used in one day.

All the best,
Dan
gadgets guide

Reply Posted July 13, 2009

Lensmaster

Elaina wrote

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Elaina

http://www.craigslistpostingtools.info

Reply Posted March 03, 2009

Steve-SEO-UK wrote...

Many thanks for an informative and interesting Lens,
Steve
Cheap Web Hosting - The right choice

ReplyPosted January 20, 2009

gadgetmaniauk wrote...

excellent looking lens with some fantastic info, hope i can create a lens as good as this someday, 5 stars

ReplyPosted December 07, 2008

PattB wrote...

Well, David, I think you've just changed my world view. Now I know I'll never see life again as I once knew it...5 stars and a favorite! Thanks, Pat

ReplyPosted November 21, 2008

view all 26 comments

by DavidHolmes

David is an experienced blogger and Space creator. Dave's Imaginary Sound Space is listed on the Best of Windows Live Spaces and has received Spa... (more)

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