Google Gadget For The 405th?

[Zaso117]

Hey 405th!

I'm not sure how many of you use iGoogle for a homepage, but it's pretty simple to explain. First, you create an account, and then customize your personalized homepage based on the content available. You can organize your widgets ("google gadgets") however you would like, so you instantly receive weather, news, jokes, or whatever your heart pleases on your homepage.

Google gadgets can also be coded and embedded on web pages as well.

While the system really isn't anything extraordinary, I do use iGoogle as my homepage, and have it customized to my liking. I have widgets for weather, CNN, politics, eBay, grisliest, and social networks.

Today though, I realized that there is not a widget yet created for the 405th site.

While it may sound like a small waste of time, these google gadgets are great for a few things

1) Providing updates, whether it be news, or new data (similar to RSS feeds)
2) Simplifying and compressing certain information into one small space
3) Free advertising, and site traffic

If the 405th was to create a google gadget, it may provide some beneficial rewards to the site, such as increased traffic and advertisement. It would also serve as a nice widget for different members to use.

What would be displayed on the gadget?
The gadgets are developed using HTML/XTML and can incorporate RSS feeds into them. The portal screen would be a great example of a more sophisticated gadget, with alot more tools. Maybe if it were to be simplified, it would prove feasible?



All and all, without getting too far ahead of myself, this idea obviously would need moderator approval before even thinking about taking up the task. Therefore, I'm offering this idea up to be discussed, and even shot down if it comes to that. What do YOU guys think?

 

[wolf]

i think it would only be usefull to the handfull of members that use igoogle. and even then what would be shown? the top topics? not knocking the idea, but im not too sure of its practicality or widespread use, cuz i think google might cank it if it didnt have enough users.

 

[Zaso117]

i think it would only be usefull to the handfull of members that use igoogle. and even then what would be shown? the top topics? not knocking the idea, but im not too sure of its practicality or widespread use, cuz i think google might cank it if it didnt have enough users.

You've got a really good point. It really would depend on how much individuals would actually use it. The gadgets can be embedded easily to personal webpages as well though, so it could be a way to bring viewers back to this site though. ( as shown here).

As for the content. Well, there are different things that gadgets incorporate. Some gadgets display certain site updates, as I mentioned before, but gadgets are in no way limited to that. There are "search" gadgets that let a user input their query, and conduct a site search. There are gadgets used for polling, commenting, and even remote login. So I guess the content would depend on preference.

I appreciate the input!

 

[tlither]

I have an igoogle page but never use it. Of course I leave a browser open to the 405th 24/7 so I don't think it would be used by very many. Nice thought and some folks may want to use it. See what the response is then make the gadget (with permission).

 

[Vrogy]

I think it's a bit too niche to justify the effort, but knock yourself out. (do the IP.boards even have RSS features?)
You could also create a mac app for the 405th Fluid, but what's the point?

aside: I use /ig all the time, and keep separate tasks for different projects/interests: sca, armoring, costuming, WoW, etc.

 

[Vexona]

I use Igoogle every day. I like it for my weather and my NIN updates. RSS feeds are probably my fav feature provided by the widgets.

 

[Zaso117]

I think it's a bit too niche to justify the effort, but knock yourself out. (do the IP.boards even have RSS features?)
You could also create a mac app for the 405th Fluid, but what's the point?

aside: I use /ig all the time, and keep separate tasks for different projects/interests: sca, armoring, costuming, WoW, etc.

I see your point. I guess I should broaden my question a little more then.

Is there a similar RSS / Widget / etc feature that is widespread used enough, and capable of being created, that would prove more beneficial, then pointless to these forums?

 

[Roodkill]

This has potential for
gatherings or events.

maybe have a countdown timer to an event,
the weather forcasted for that day,
where and when to meet, ect. . .

. . . where we'll have lunch, I dunno- what ever else-

But still, much potential. I don't have igoogle but like the idea.
Perhaps in the near future we'll see some downloadable desktop features
with that stuff in it?

who knows. . .

 

[Deadguy]

Heck.. just getting an RSS feed set-up would be worth the effort. Igoogle isn't the only thing that'll do that, there's also MSN Live Pages and Yahoo umm.. I forget.. plus toolbar stuff and.. other.. uhh stuff.

Point is.. if there was an RSS feed, and we had content flowing out of it on a daily basis, there's a LOT of avenues for getting noticed.. especially as a non-commerical feed.