What's a widget?
There are two major categories of widgets: web widgets and desktop widgets. Web widgets run inside a web page and are also known as "modules" or "badges". Web widgets allow anyone to create their own website "mash-ups" by embedding content from one site into a page on another site. These types of widgets are completely based on browser technologies - HTML, Flash, etc. And while they have been around in various forms for a while, the use of the term "Widget" to refer to these web page modules is relatively new. Widget has conventionally meant a desktop-based mini-application that shows discrete information, often connected to the Internet.
Why choose a desktop widget?
The advantages of a desktop widget are clear:
- Lives outside of the browser - keeps end-users focused on your content
- Access to local resources in addition to web-based content
- Potential for offline use & background downloading
- Greater interaction with the rest of the system through standard desktop interaction.