This is cool!
1. registration: There is no registration! Sweet!
2. Use: There is no need for instructions, it’s that easy to use.
3. Hosting: The art that you create and save is hosted by offtype.net so you can display it anywhere.
This is OK!
1. Features: One feature from the original offtype.net online art program is missing in the widget (fine tune color selector)
2. Google: Google gadgets are cool but at times I think too limited in customizations.
3. Code: This widget uses Javascript. Only certain blog hosts allow Javascript. (sorry MySpace users)
This is a bummer!
1. Customizations: Having width and height options that result in scroll bars on a widget is pointless. Especially with this widget. This is a Google Gadget fault, not offtype.net
2.Brush options: I wish there were more brush options such as square, star, triangle etc…
3. Help: There is no help page of FAQ page for the noobies out there. Either on the Gadget page or offtype.net
Overall
I love this widget. I had found one earlier but it was on a Japanese page and my Japanese is very rusty. The best feature of this widget is the save and host free option. So simple, almost too simple. Enjoy!
offtype.net also has a version of their art program for download and installation. It offers the same great free hosting.
Mapstats.blogflux.com has a widget that displays where your blog visitors come from. This is their geographic location displayed using a Google Map API. As you can see by the URL, the parent site is Blogflux.com. They also have other widgets that I will review later.
This is cool!
1. Appearance: The widget has clean lines defined by 1px. solid borders. Custom title option is available. There is a vertical list (up to 25) of city/country locations linked. There is also a link to mapstats.blogflux.com.
2. Size: The default size (150 px width) fits nicely into the small sidebars.
3. Code: The code for this widget is somewhat editable. Border, background and link/text colors appear to be changeable as well as font sizes and actual widget width.
This is OK!
1. Code: This is a Javascript which limits where it can be placed. (sorry MySpace users) This code needs to be a Javascript because it is updated in real time.
2. Registration: The only reason I can see for registration is your personal map page. When someone clicks on your widget you are taken to another page where your mapstat map is located.
3. Purpose: It’s fun to show your readers that you have visitors from Norway and Colombia.
This is a bummer!
1. Function: This is OMG scary to a point. You can use the Google map to zoom in on your visitors location. Then switch to satellite view and you can tell if they have a pool or live in an apartment. Bye Bye any privacy.(satellite map is not real time)
2. Registration: The registration sucks! I had to register my blog and pick categories that it belonged to etc. Your blog has to be a certain number of days old and if for some reason you mis-categorize your blog you may get deleted. Thanks F’n Spammers!
3. Codes: As far as I could tell, you are required to install two (2) Javascripts on your page. WTF? Seems like alot of BS just to show where my visitors surf the net from.
Overall
I think it’s an OK widget for those that want to show this type of info on their blog. I think the “getting the widget” process needs to be streamlined quite a bit before you’ll see widespread use. A new way to code this so it works for Javascript banned sites is needed as well.
Screen shot
For a limited time you may see a working mapstats widget in my sidebar.
itechtips.com editor Colbert Low found Widgets Lab to be worthwhile enough to post about it. Thanks Colbert!
Here is a bit of what he had to say:
…a blog dedicated to finding some incredibly useful and cool blog widgets–you know, those little things we love to plug into our sidebar in order to make the blog more…
Feeling underpaid and you don’t know what to do about it?
You could corner your boss and demand a raise using threats and coercion. This approach may get you terminated.
You could take a different approach. One that is more subtle and yet maybe more effective. You may even keep your job.
indeed.com has salary graphs. These salary graphs cover a wide range of occupations and list different sub categories within each profession. Using a salary graph from indeed.com might get you the raise you desire. If not, you may get your boss thinking about your creativity and he may reward you in the future.
Comparing data found on trusted sources such as Salary.com and Payscale.com with the data supplied from indeed.com, is a smart move. This ensures that you have the proper information when you most need it.
This is cool!
1. Graphs: The graphs are easy to read and understand.
2. Website: Easy to navigate. Not cluttered like Widgets Lab. (ha ha)
3. Widget: The salary graph widget is clean and easy to read.
This is OK!
1. HTML code: The salary graph widget is in HTML. This means just about any blog platform will display it. Even MySpace!
2. Register: You can register to create your own salary graph.
3. Email: Your salary graph is also available to be emailed to anyone that you want including your boss.
This is a bummer!
1. Customizations: The only way to customize the size and color options of the widget, is editing the widget code itself.
2. Anonymous: There is no real way to anonymously inform your boss about this salary graph. You’re busted!
3. Skin: There is absolutely no nudity in this widget. All good widgets need some nudity of some sort.
Here is my salary graph. (can somebody send my boss a link?)
Widgetbox.com–Break it down to it’s core, Widgetbox is a widget widget. That’s not a typo! Widgetbox gives you a widget that allows you to update, change or add widgets to your blog just by logging into Widgetbox, selecting the widgets you want and adding them to your widget panel. Your blog will then reflect the changes that you have made at Widgetbox.
This is cool!
1. Add widgets: You can add, change or deletes widgets from your blog without editing your HTML each time.
2. Huge list: Widgetbox.com has a large database of widgets for you to choose your widget from.
3. Site navigation: Widgetbox.com is very easy to surf and use. Things are easy to read and understand for the first time user to the veteran web master.
This is ok!
1. Javascript: This is a Javascript widget. Widgetbox says it’s MySpace compatible. I haven’t figured this out yet.
2. Register: You have to register to use Widgetbox. The panel and associated code that are created have to be user specific.
3. Widget appearance: The Widgetbox widget appearance is clean. Thin line borders create a sharp, professional appearance.
This is a bummer!
1. Pay for Widgetbox: There is talk on site about some type of “charge for service” once Widgetbox comes out of beta.
2. Widget customizations: You can easily change the size of your “widget panel”. There is an option for custom CSS but no way for the novice to know how to use this. No border color options etc…
3. Widget sizes: All widgets come in different sizes. The “widget panel” allows for height and width edits, but the widget located in the panel is limited. If you pick a large widget and put it in a smaller “panel” you’ll get scroll bars for that widget.
Here is an example. (I also have a widgetbox widget in my sidebar)
I originally had a Donkey Kong game here but it never shut up (music)
Google has released a “Create your own search engine” widget. Google Co-op
This is cool!
1. Search select: You get to select the sites that get searched. This shows you how valid your site is in the “Googlesphere”.
2. Color selection: Links, text and border colors on your results page are customizable.
3. Logo: Upload a custom graphic to be displayed on your results page. This “logo” can be a link as well.
This is Ok!
1. Javascript: Google Co-op widget uses javascript. This limits where it can be installed. (some blog hosts restrict javascript)
2. Adsense: Google Adsense ads are allowed on your results page. This allows you to make 1$ more this year.
3. Results format: Your search results page follows the typical Google layout. Simple and not cluttered. Users know where they are.
This is a bummer!
1. Results page: Only Google Adsense is allowed. (not shocking)
2. Results page: Opens in same window/tab. This takes visitors away from your site.
3. Google account: You need a Google account to set up and use this widget.
Review:
Having a “create your own search engine” widget is cool. There are limitations in the functions and custom settings but for now it seems to be an easy to use widget. I would tell anyone to give it a try and also to try out Eurekster. It’s always good to have the ability to compare apples to apples.
Video in any format is the way to go. As evidenced in a recent Google aquisition, YouTube. Thousands of people are creating and uploading video content to the Internet. Millions of people are watching video on the Internet. Video is viral ! If you have a video camera (digital) and maybe some editing software, you could be the next movie director of the moment.
The key: Uploading your video to one of the many video hosting sites is a very simple process. Getting your video in front of the eyes of millions of watchers may be a bit more difficult. Promoting your video is the key. Tell people about it. Don’t just say “Hey, Bob, I just uploaded a video you should watch.” Make Bob want to see your video. Make Bob want to share your video with his other friends. This is viral video.
I consider “Embedded Video” a widget. Others may not. Video lets your users/readers view something other than text. If they smile or laugh, they will tell others and they will come back.
Putting your video or any video on your blog is very easy. The major video hosting sites give you easy access to the code needed for putting video on your blog. They want you to do this because it brings more people to video. (more users=more$$)
Find or create and upload a video. Video hostingRevver.comYouTube.com
After you have done this, look for the “Put this video on your website” section. It’s generally easy to find. Copy all of the code using your computer copy functions. Now paste this code into your text editor(word pad, note pad etc…)
Decide whether to put the video in a blog post or in your blog sidebar.
Now log into your blog editor, blog dashboard etc…
Blog post:Write your text telling the reader why they should watch this video. Put in a couple of spaces. Then paste your video code into the same window as your text. Publish. It’s that simple! Welcome to Hollynetwood!
Blog sidebar:This is a bit more complicated but don’t be alarmed, you’re not going to wreck anything.(trial and error) Go to the HTML editor portion of your Dashboard. Select all of your Template/HTML code (blog platforms vary) and copy/paste to a blank page text editor(word pad, note pad etc…for safe keeping) Now you need to find the location in the dashboard HTML editor that corresponds with the area on your blog that you want the video. Don’t place the video code in the middle of another group of code! Look for HTML tags that have </ at the begining. place your code after these but before HTML tags that start like this < . The HTML with the slash indicates the end of a portion of code. Without the slash indicates the begining of a portion of code.
Try it! Preview it! If everything is screwed up undo the changes or replace your screwed up code with the copy you made earlier.
There is an example of a video in my sidebar…check it out!
I have created a list of MySpace friendly widgets. MySpace friendly is simply a list of widgets that will also work on MySpace. There are hundreds of MySpace resources on the Internet today. I wanted to create a small resource here.
If I am missing a widget that is MySpace friendly, please let me know so I can add it ASAP.
Translate English speak to Pirate speak. Simply enter in the text that you want to convert to Piratese(is that a word?) hit the convert button and there you go. Now I know that there is no real use for a widget such as this, except for fun, but fun you shall have.
Imagine the look on your wife’s face when you IM her about your date tonight and it’s in Piratese. Could be very interesting!
The above paragraph in Piratese:
Translate English speak t’ Pirate speak. Simply board in th’ text that ye wants t’ convert t’ Piratese(be that a word?) hit th’ convert button ‘n thar ye go. Now I know that thar be no real use fer a widget such as this, except fer fun, but fun ye shall ‘ave.
Imagine th’ look on yer beauty’s face when ye IM her about yer date tonight ‘n ’tis in Piratese. Could be mighty interestin’!
This is an Iframe widget
appears to allow for size mods in the code
default size is 160px wide
MyBlogLog.com –one of my favorite networking widgets, was featured on Tech Crunch on 10/19/2006. Marshall Kirkpatrick (TC’s real moneymaker) wrote a wonderful article about MyBlogLog.
MyBlogLog.com is a very important resource and I suggest utilizing it. The widget that shows MyBlogLog users that have visited your blog is great! Who doesn’t want to see their face, avatar, pic etc… up in “lights” so to speak.
Working with widgets presents some issues that one doesn’t normally have to deal with when blogging. What I mean is, most bloggers don’t run 10 plus widgets on their blog at any one time. Constantly changing them, tweaking their locations, adjusting their colors etc… What I am learning and I’m sure you are learning as well, there is no widget standard. I’m not saying all widgets should look and act the same. What I mean by “standard” is (more…)
Stumble this!
