- Image via Wikipedia
What are widgets? Depending on the context they can be different, but in terms of software widgets are normally small tools that can be customized onto a system. For instance, you can get an interface to sit in your desktop that can display customizable widgets such as weather and e-mail. They have a lot to offer, yet they may not be for everyone.
Many widgets are welcome onto the user’s desktop. After all, who wouldn’t want to turn on their computer and have a nice widget with the weather for the next few days on the desktop? Simplicity is certainly a distinct advantage with desktop-based widgets. You also can’t argue with the different types of widgets available, which can bring a high level of convenience for a lot of people.
On the downside, widgets can often confuse matters for some people. For instance, many widgets are used for convenience; i.e. having a calendar, notes, and the weather on a desktop. However if you use a time management system and need more information when you look at the weather, the widgets might be overkill. It could just be the limited amount of information you need to look further – a “middle man” so to speak.
While there are plenty of widget,s another downfall is that they are not that complex. Advanced functions are often out of the range of widgets, as widgets are often simple by definition. Thus widgets are just not right for some users – though both the users and widgets vary greatly.
If you could use the convenience of widgets on your computer, it might be worth giving it a shot. However if you already have systems and bookmarks (such as the weather, detailed) in place, it may just be something that will clutter your computer. See for yourself if widgets are right for you.
