I remember the cool application software two years ago in XML for the Web class in Rochester Institute of Technology, and Lawley showed us on her old Mac OS X PowerBook G4 this application which was run by JavaScript and XML to structure the code, which lets its run the little files that can do pretty much whatever you want them to. The little files, widgets are alarm clocks, local weather quick look-up, calculator, latest stock quotes, and so on. I just learned that application support only on Mac OS X two years ago, and I was disappointed with that and I decided to forget this and moved on.
Today, I finally have PowerBook G4. I went back to look the cool application as Lawley's words from her old teaching class, and I can't remember or know the title name of application. I have searched through Google several times and couldn't find until I heard the Apple's upcoming new version of OS X, Tiger new application - Dashboard. I learned that Apple worked with their third-party for Dashboard project is Konfabulator. Yes, that is what I am exactly looking for that like two years ago.
I am excited to try Konfabulator on my Mac OS X, and I am still amazed to see cool mini application functions on my desktop. I just found out that it also support Windows XP which was launched back in August 2004.
Here is the example of my Mac desktop screenshot for Konfabulator:
Will I have Mac OS X’s Konfabulator as long as I use? It is still shareware application and currently using unlicensed application until Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger comes out with Dashboard, and I might exchange that for Konfabulator. Microsoft is planning to have similar application as Mac’s Dashboard for their next Windows O/S version, Longhorn. The Longhorn GUI looks somewhat similar to freeware application, Desktop Sidebar for Windows XP.
Konfabulator have over 400 widgets such as mini games, date & time, news feeds, system utilities, tools, etc. Here are my top choice lists for widgets:
Must Have:
kBloglines - kBloglines simply checks bloglines.com to see how many new items has your account.
Notebox - A very simple resizable Widget for leaving little notes.
mini Calendar - mini Calendar is a smaller version of the Calendar Widget that ships with Konfabulator. It's a fraction of the size, and always keep the controls visible.
mini Weather - mini Weather is a smaller simplified version of The Weather Widget that ships with Konfabulator. It's a fraction of the size, and omits the forecast feature.
mySQL Select - This Widget will perform MySQL selects. Includes basic query builder. Requires PHP.
Kitchen Timer - It's like a kitchen timer, but without the magnet that sticks it to the fridge. Use it to time stuff, like your cup-o-soup lunch, or whatever it is you eat. Or be creative and use it to time non-food related things, I don't mind.
Cool to check this out, but don't need it..
Pittsburgh Traffic - Cycles through greater Pittsburgh area traffic cameras. Users can select from Parkway North, East and West cameras. Images provided by PENNDOT (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation).
XmasLights - Simple strand of holiday color lights for the desktop.
Thesaurus-Dictionary Lookup - This WIdget looks up a word you enter using Thesaurus.com or Dictionary.com
Internet Health Monitor - Retrieves Internet Health metrics once an hour from InternetTrafficReport.com. Great widget to have on your desktop to give you advanced warning of DDoS attacks, worms, etc.
Savings Bell - The concept of savings for savings sake is still a bit abstract even for today's sophisticated kid consumers. A bit of visualization and a concrete goal can be helpful. Hence Savings Bell.
Lights Out - This is the classic game Lights Out! Click on a light, and that light--and the four surrounding it--will flip from on to off, or off to on. Try to get all of the lights turned off.
Old Glory - Animated waving American flag.
ThreatLevel - This display the current Department of Homeland Security Threat Level for the United States in the familiar "Traffic Light" interface.
