How to install and use widgets

The Windows XP option
There are several ways of adding a Gadget-like feature to Windows XP PCs too. The most popular is Yahoo Widgets. You’ll need to download some software to use Yahoo Widgets but this is free.

Go to the Yahoo Widgets site and click on ‘Get started now’ then follow the on-screen instructions – ­ you’ll see the name ‘Konfabulator’ mentioned because that’s what the software was called before Yahoo bought it. Once you’ve agreed to the terms and conditions, a dock will appear on the right of your screen containing a number of Widgets to get you started.

Yahoo Widgets work differently to Vista Gadgets. There’s no Sidebar, so active Widgets appear on the desktop. The dock is really only used as a kind of browser and most Widgets appear only as basic icons when they’re docked.

Clicking the icon for a Widget in the dock renders it active and the selected Widget will then appear on your desktop. It’s possible to move or minimise the dock or remove it. Click the ‘cog’ icon at the top of the dock for these and other options. Clicking the magnifying glass icon, meanwhile, will allow you to search the internet using Yahoo’s search engine.

Yahoo Widgets often have extended functions and customisable options. Check for clickable buttons or hold your mouse cursor over the Widget – ­ if the pointer turns into a pointing finger, click to see what options are available.

Right-clicking the Widget will also bring up a menu. Yahoo provides a selection of useful Widgets with your initial download but there are more than 4,000 different free tools to choose from. Click the cog icon and select ‘Get more Widgets’ to go to Yahoo’s online Widget gallery, where you can browse for more.

More to explore
There are alternatives to Vista’s Sidebar Gadgets and Yahoo Widgets, including Google Desktop. Linux users have equivalents too, such as Gdesklets, while Apple Mac users get the Dashboard.

Widgets are going mobile too, with services like Windows Live allowing you to add things like weather and news widgets to a customisable home page that you can access from any PC.

Top Vista Gadgets

BBC Radio Player
Instantly tune in to the BBC’s digital radio stations with this essential Gadget.

All CPU Meter
Monitors processor usage for individual cores in dual- or quad-core CPUs.

iTunes Accessory
Control iTunes from your desktop. Alternatives are available for Windows Media Player and Winamp.

National Rail Enquiries
The widget displays departure information for trains running from a station of your choice.

Top Yahoo Widgets

Informer
Monitors system resources (including memory) as well as Wifi and email.

Eject me
A desktop eject button for your CD or DVD drive tray.

Web Images
Displays regularly updated online images, which is ideal for keeping an eye on webcams.

Google Images
A quick of searching for pictures online

BBC Radio Player
Yahoo’s excellent equivalent of the Vista BBC Radio Gadget.

Baffled by jargon? See our free online jargon buster