Web gadgets are utility programs that are used for various
application needs. These are smaller chunk of software programs that can be embedded
and executed within a web page by the end user. It is also called as a web
widget. Other terms used to describe web widgets include gadget, badge, module,
webjit, capsule, snippet, mini and flake. It is a stand alone application that
can be used in a website or blog where it provides dynamic applications for different
purposes. It gives the latest information, calculations, and measurements on parameters
such as the current date and time etc. The two of the major types of widget today are web widgets
and desktop widgets. Web widgets are intended to use on web pages and have
major impact in areas such as web page performance, SEO, etc. Desktop widgets however
are embedded on local computers and do not impact SEO or webpage performance.
There are widgets used for purposes such
as news, online tools, communication, fun and games, finance, sports,
lifestyle, technology, and other stuff. The widgets that are used include
on-screen devices such as clocks, calendars, currency counters, news feeds, world
maps, domain checker, bandwidth speed test, IP locator, chat, visitor tracker, language
translators, event countdowns, auction-tickers, stock market tickers, flight
arrival information, daily weather etc. Widgets are typically created in DHTML,
JavaScript, or Adobe Flash. Widgets come in many shapes, sizes, appearance, and
applications.
The advantages of web widgets are:
1. Widgets are embedded in the website and so it does not
needed to be downloaded and installed into the computer for its use.
2. It provides latest and dynamic contents for the user,
which makes it valuable when it comes to clocks, calendar, whether, news etc.
3. It is easy and lightweight in its use, and provides
accurate information.
4. There are a variety of widgets available for a wide range
of applications that one can ever imagine.
5. It can be accessed via web anywhere you are whether it is
at home, office, or while on a journey.
6. The host has the freedom to place the widget according to
his personal preference.
7. Widgets are useful in blogs and websites for appeasing
its readers and for the overall impact of the site.
The disadvantages of web widgets:
1. There is limitation in the input parameters and more complex
calculations are not possible in a widget.
2. The host does not have the control on the content of the
widget. The content or the functionality it provides can not be modified by the
host.
3. Web widgets are dependent on the web for updating
itself when it is dynamic, like news, weather etc.
