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Install Google Gadgets and Web Widgets in Linux
Posted by Kevin Purdy at 11:30 PM on April 9, 2008
Linux only: Previously-posted Linux widget engine Screenlets can convert and run Google Gadgets and other web-based widgets on the desktop in its latest version, adding thousands of mini-apps to its menu. You'll need to add Screenlets' Launchpad repository to your sources and install the latest version, which the Screenlets home page (and the Tombuntu blog) helpfully walks you through. Once you're up and running with Screenlets, simply hit "Install," choose "Web Widget," and you'll get a link to each supported database's catalogue page, as well as basic instructions on installing. With more than 45,000 to choose from in Google's database alone, there's likely a great and useful widget waiting to find your Linux desktop.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
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FelixC
Posted 11:04 PM 9/4/08
Wow, I can't believe I missed Screenlets the first time around! I have been pining for Google to release the full widget-capable Google Desktop for Linux for some time now, but now, who cares?
FelixC
Forge42
Posted 11:45 PM 9/4/08
This will be one of the first things I do when I upgrade once the final version hits. Thanks LH.
Forge42
dannybuntu
Posted 11:45 PM 9/4/08
Amen. I feel exactly the same way... To the extent that I have been using mostly apps with no gui nowadays...irc, bittorrent...
dannybuntu
Scott Wegner
Posted 12:17 AM 10/4/08
It looks like screenlets has made it's way into the Ubuntu Hardy repositories! (and gutsy-backports)
sudo aptitude install screenlets
I'm pretty excited to start using this. The gDesklets widgets are so ugly in general, and the repository is so hard to browse.
-- Scott
[www.automaticable.com]
Scott Wegner
eeefresh
Posted 1:04 AM 10/4/08
This is great news! I really like Screenlets and have been using it for a few months now. Glad to hear its now in the repositories, too, which will make updates easier than ever.
eeefresh
The How-To Geek
Posted 4:26 AM 10/4/08
This looks like it's come a long way since the last time I looked at it... time to give it a try again. Thanks!
The How-To Geek
Ashley927
Posted 5:32 AM 10/4/08
lol! There was just a ton of people on another lifehack looking for how to do this! I am going to have to go back there and direct them over here!
Ashley927
akrk1986
Posted 4:58 AM 10/4/08
Can someone please walk me through the process of importing a Google widget into Screenlets? It's unclear what items I need to take from the Google object into Screenlets.
Thanks
akrk1986
Scott Wegner
Posted 6:32 AM 10/4/08
@akrk1986: To convert Google Gadgets widgets, you need Screenlets version 0.1 or better (Ubuntu Hardy only has 0.0.12, and Gutsy I believe 0.0.10).
If you're using a recent version, then there is a video showing the process here:
[www.screenlets.org]
I haven't tried it, but it looks pretty simple.
--Scott
[www.automaticable.com]
Scott Wegner
-emory-
Posted 7:45 AM 10/4/08
@Scott Wegner: hey Scott, just a friendly tip, the last time I saw someone plugging his site in his sig he got banned ;-)
-emory-
Scott Wegner
Posted 9:42 AM 10/4/08
@-emory-: Well, I sure don't want that; it won't happen again. :)
-- Scott
Scott Wegner
MIKEAWESOME
Posted 4:43 AM 13/4/08
A Lifehacker writer from Beau Fleuve?
Awesome!
In relation to the post, this is definitely something I'm going to have to give a shot once I finish building my new PC. Is it compatible with all or just most widgets? I imagine that somewhere along the line you'd have to run into some issue with something.
MIKEAWESOME