To build a Google gadget it is best to start with a completed web application. Your application may be Javascript, php, perl, cgi, or some combination of these with HTML. It can be practically anything as long it is accessible via a URL which you will enter in the gadget_url field.

This 'Google Gadget Generator' builds an XML wrapper around the URL of your existing web application. Any user preferences are passed as URL parameters.

Once you enter the Gadget Preferences and any User Preferences press "Submit" and you will be presented with the source code appropriate for a Google gadget.

There is help text available for each field that appears in this space as you fill out the form.

a Google Gadget for Jimmy Buffett fans.
http://michaelthompson.org/goo/parrott.xml

The Beacon Google Gadget is a powerful communication tool that lets you post messages to the people that you select right from your Google Home page.

Today I was listed at #17. The rankings change every week or two so look quick! This is the message I received:

Subject: Greetings from Google / congratulations Hi again, Congratulations! You might not know it, but your gadgets are hugely popular, making you one of our top developers. As a simple thank-you, we created a page where you can post a photo, bio, quote and most importantly, a link to your website: http://google.com/ig/authors For more information about the page and how to post your information: Google homepage API posting Thanks! p.s. apologies again, Google corporate policy doesn't allow me to disclose the number of users you have, but rest assured, it's a lot.

Here is a screenshot taken today:

Looks like Google has done a nice job but there are a few things I don't like. For example, the function for adding a reminder to an entry is too deep. First you have to click the entry itself which pops up one of those neat cartoon style dialogue boxes, the same kind we first saw on Google Maps but sadly, without the cool shadow. The dialogue box has a single link labeled "edit event details." I would have put the controls for enabling/disabling a reminder right there beside it, especially since in my case, I wouldn't be bothering to make a calendar entry unless I wanted a reminder.

Once we click on the details the dialog box goes away and the event details fill the calendar window as promised. From there we can change the entry text, date, time, location, or the description. We can even entertain public comments.

But where is that reminder? Still not in sight yet, but wait, what's that? At the bottom right is arrow pointing to the word "Options." I would expect anything under there to let me change colors or fonts or something but let's try it. Wow, there it is, the "Reminder" control along with some event-linked privacy settings. They did a nice job on making setting a reminder a simple selection ranging from 5 minutes up to 1 week in logical increments. I just wish it didn't take 4 clicks (plus one more to "Save") to get it done.

(Well, maybe there is a keyboard shortcut for reminders. No? Not there either? Sorry.)