Creating Vista® Gadgets: Using HTML, CSS and JavaScript with Examples in RSS, Ajax, ActiveX (COM) and Silverlight™ by Rajesh Lal Publisher: Sams Pub Date: May 05, 2008 Print ISBN-10: 0-672-32968-9 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-672-32968-5 Pages: 360 Table of Contents | Index Overview A one-stop resource for each aspect of designing and developing Sidebar gadgets, perfect for anyone who wants to create killer gadgets Explores one of the super cool features new to Windows Vista the Sidebar It is a one-stop resource for each aspect of designing and developing Sidebar gadgets, perfect for anyone who wants to create killer gadgets Includes complete design instructions for four never-beforeseen gadgets Windows Vista Sidebar is a panel located on the desktop of a PC where gadgets can be placed for easy access and reference These gadgets are small, single-purpose applications, such as clocks, calendars, games, RSS notifiers, search tools, stock tickers, etc, that reside on the Windows desktop and on the Windows Sidebar The book will be a tutorial to design and develop a gadget It will provide ready-to-use samples using NET, XML, CSS and AJAX After reading the book, a web developer/designer will be confident enough to start developing gadgets for Windows Vista Sidebar The beginner portion of the book shows an overview of the subject with the design pattern, the architecture and implementation details The later sections will have solid examples for instant results In short, the book will tell how to do everything with Sidebar Gadgets using solid, unique examples Brief outline: " Brief background on Gadgets " Define architecture, design consideration and implementation to give a clear view to the developer " Step by step, create a useful Gadget sample "My Blogs" " Elaborate the architecture design constraint and implementation details for the sample " Detail the standard practices " Recheck the gadget created for standard practices " Improvise and Improve with compare and contrast " Add advanced samples with NET, AJAX and XHTML Creating Vista® Gadgets: Using HTML, CSS and JavaScript with Examples in RSS, Ajax, ActiveX (COM) and Silverlight™ by Rajesh Lal Publisher: Sams Pub Date: May 05, 2008 Print ISBN-10: 0-672-32968-9 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-672-32968-5 Pages: 360 Table of Contents | Index Copyright About the Author Acknowledgement We Want to Hear from You! Reader Services Introduction What's in the Book Special Features and Notations Supporting Website Part I: The Foundation Chapter 1 Innovate with Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets Introducing Gadgets and the Vista Sidebar Innovate with Gadgets Gadgets in Depth Multiple Platforms for Gadgets Chapter 2 The Architecture Gadgets Overview Technology Behind Gadget Development Gadget Object Model Sidebar Gadgets: The Road Ahead Chapter 3 An Approach to Design Design Considerations Challenges for the User Interface Visual Themes Transparent Images in the Gadget About Accessibility Chapter 4 Selling Your Gadget Gadget Revenue Model How Gadgets Give You Business Supporting Your Gadget Part II: Developing a Gadget Chapter 5 Creating a Simple Gadget with RSS/Atom Feed Feed Gadgets Basic Framework of the MyBlog Gadget How the MyBlog Gadget Works Parts of the MyBlog Gadget Chapter 6 Design Patterns and Standard Practices Design Patterns Elements of Design Patterns Common Assumptions Adding Accessibility Chapter 7 The MyBlog Gadget Revisited Recapping the MyBlog Gadget Taking the MyBlog Gadget to the Next Level Docked, Undocked, and Mini Me Version Chapter 8 Debugging and Deploying a Gadget Debugging a Gadget Deploying a Gadget Deployment Using a Cabinet File Part III: Advanced Samples Chapter 9 Site Statistics Gadget with Ajax—An Information Gadget The Goal Features and Technology Design Considerations Developing the Gadget Chapter 10 Most Recent Used NET Projects—An Application Gadget Recent NET Project Gadget Features and Technology Design Considerations Developing the Gadget Chapter 11 Radio Gadget and YouTube Video Gadget—Fun Gadgets Media Gadgets The Radio Gadget The YouTube Video Gadget Chapter 12 Silverlight World Clock—Utility Gadget The Silverlight Gadget Design Considerations Developing the Gadget Creating a Sidebar Gadget Using Microsoft Popfly Where to Go from Here Part IV: Appendixes Appendix A Tips and Tricks Automatic Update and User Tracking Reading XML, XHTML, RSS/Atom, HTML, Text, and JSON Data Globalization and Localization Graphic Design Security and Other Resources Appendix B Extras Reusable Framework for Creating Gadgets Sample Gadgets Based on the Framework Share Your Gadgets Index Copyright Creating Vistađ Gadgets: Using HTML, CSS and JavaScript with Examples in RSS, AJAX, ActiveX (COM) and Silverlight Copyright â 2008 by Sams Publishing All rights reserved No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein This material may be distributed only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Open Publication License, v1.0 or later (the latest version is presently available at http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/) ISBN-13: 978-0-672-32968-5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Lal, Rajesh Creating Vista gadgets : using html, css and javascript with examples in rss, ajax, activex (com) and silverlight / Rajesh Lal p cm ISBN 978-0-672-32968-5 (pbk.) Microsoft Windows (Computer file) 2 Operating systems (Computers) User interfaces (Computer systems) I Title QA76.76.O63L3546 2008 005.4'46 dc22 2008016280 Printed in the United States of America First Printing April 2008 Associate Publisher Greg Wiegand Acquisitions Editor Loretta Yates Development Editor Todd Brakke Managing Editor Patrick Kanouse Project Editor Jennifer Gallant Copy Editor Margo Catts Indexer Ken Johnson Proofreader Mike Henry Technical Editor Marc Clifton Publishing Coordinator Cindy Teeters Book Designer Anne Jones Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized Sams Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark Warning and Disclaimer Every effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied The information provided is on an "as is" basis The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages arising from the information contained in this book Bulk Sales Sams Publishing offers excellent discounts on this book when ordered in quantity for bulk purchases or special sales For more information, please contact U.S Corporate and Government Sales 1-800-382-3419 corpsales@pearsontechgroup.com For sales outside of the U.S., please contact International Sales international@pearson.com Dedication Dedicated to Mom & Dad For Everything I Am About the Author Rajesh Lal is an author, technology evangelist, and solutions engineer specializing in web technologies He has received numerous awards for his articles on Windows Vista and Sidebar Gadgets He is a frequent contributor to Windows Vista Magazine and Code Project websites With more than a decade of experience in IT industry in progressive roles from graphic designer, software developer, architect, team lead, and project leader to independent consultant, Rajesh enjoys taking an objective and pragmatic approach to developing applications using Microsoft technology He has a master's degree in computer science and holds MCSD and MCAD titles To read his Vista Gadget blog, go to www.innovatewithgadgets.com Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] Samurize widgets SaveSettings function SaveXML function scripting, disabling via Disable Script Debugging option (Internet Explorer) security code malware, gadgets as spyware, gadgets as User Account Control Windows Live Gallery SendPlayStateChangeEvents event, Radio Gadget media player functionality Service Not Available information (gadget behaviors) session management, common assumptions SetClock function, Silverlight World Clock Gadget SetGlobalText function SetInterval function, feed gadgets Settings Closed function Settings page accessibility techniques dimensions (user interface design) feed gadgets adding multiple feeds 2nd configuring for Mini Me gadgets removing feeds from updating feeds functions of Recent Project Gadgets Site Statistics gadgets settings window settings-related functions settings.css files 2nd settings.html files SettingsClosing function Setup function 2nd Setup Size function shadow effects, creating in Photoshop shadows in images, addShadow method sharing gadgets ShellOpen function, reading Windows Registry shortcut keys, sidebar gadget access ShowArrows function, feed gadgets ShowFlyout function feed gadgets Site Statistics gadgets side products, gadgets as benefits of case study Sidebar (Windows) customizing gadgets, functions of Silverlight application implementation Sidebar Events API (Gadget Object Model) Sidebar gadgets accessibility techniques HTML access keyboard access theme colors addShadow method as HTML application future of gBackground method gImage method Popfly, creating via mashup gadgets Website Comparison Gadgets widget boxes Silverlight applications features of origin of running Sidebar implementation Silverlight World Clock Gadget designing images layouts themes usability developing animation existing framework integration handleLoad function logic mouse click events multiple locales SetClock function setting time SilverlightClock.XAML files features of JavaScript XAML 2nd simplicity, user interface design Site Statistics gadget API graphs based on parsing data pie charts based on pulling text data designing images layouts themes usability developing data retrieval integration into existing frameworks goals of Mini Me version Sitemeter.com website Counter Widget feature site summary pages web pages, displaying portions of site summary pages (Sitemeter.com website), Site Statistic gadget development Sitemeter.com website, Site Statistics gadget development API Counter Widget feature site summary pages SLQ Server, accessing Soapbox Video Gadget, gadget design case study sound information, detecting spyware, gadgets as standard file/folder layouts standard images, display/presentation (design patterns) standardizing widgets startUpPage function, feed gadgets statistics feed tracking user tracking statuses, displaying (gadget behaviors) Stop function, debugging gadgets storing data, feed gadgets streaming audio, playing on Radio Gadget styles, gadget design Stylesheets, display/presentation (design patterns) support for gadgets System Debugger Select window, debugging gadgets System.Contact API System.debug API System.Diagnostic.EventLog API System.Environment API System.Gadget API (Gadget Object Model) System.Gadget.onSettingsClosed property System.Gadget.Settings API (Gadget Object Model) System.Machine API System.MessageStore API System.Network API System.Shell API SystemSetup() function Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] tab controls, accessibility techniques text [See also graphic design.] gadget design reading, XHR (XMLHttpRequest) object TextBoxFeedURL, feed gadgets themes color Radio Gadgets Silverlight World Clock Gadget Site Statistic gadgets time information, detecting Silverlight World Clock Gadget, setting in title parameter (MsgBox function) titles, gadget design tracking users transparent images, gadget design transparent PNG files traversing feed gadgets Trick-of-Mind gadget Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] undocked gadgets feed gadgets page dimensions YouTube Video Gadget undocked.css files unobtrusive traversing, feed gadgets updateAvailable variable UpdateFeed function, feed gadgets updates automatic updates checking for posting version information online user notifications version checks via inserted code feed gadgets feeds in feed gadgets URLFeedsCurrentID variable, feed gadgets usability, designing for Site Statistic gadgets usage patterns (gadget design) application gadgets fun gadgets information gadgets utility gadgets User Account Control, security user interfaces, designing aesthetics docked page dimensions flyout page dimensions guidelines for relevant information settings page dimensions simplicity standard page dimensions undocked page dimensions unobtrusiveness of visuals user notifications, gadget updates user tracking utility gadgets 2nd benefits of case study Clock Gadget for Time CPU Meter Gadget MRU Project Gadgets ActiveX COM collection objects Enumerate Registry framework integration goals of images of layout of listing Windows Registry items reading Windows Registry reading Windows Registry settings 2nd RegRead function themes of usability of Windows Power Shell Windows Registry API WMI listing Windows Registry MRU items Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] VBScript, debugging gadgets 2nd verisign certificates, buying version checks via inserted code version information, posting online Video Gadgets 2nd BuildVideoObject function designing layouts themes usability developing docked/undocked functionality existing framework integration gadget windows Flash Media Player, embedding in video feeds Visual Studio, MRU Project Gadgets framework integration goals of images of layout of themes of usability of Windows Registry listing items reading reading settings visual themes (gadget design) background images buttons controls drag images icons titles visuals (gadget design) GIF files PNG files transparent images user interface design volume functions, Radio Gadgets Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] W3C (World Wide Web Consortium), widget standardization wallpaper warnings, gadget behaviors Weather Gadget 2nd 3rd web gadgets 2nd web pages displaying, Site Statistics gadgets HTML pages, applications versus Site Statistics gadgets, data retrieval web resources, sharing gadgets Website Comparison Gadgets widget boxes Widget-Box gadget widgets, standardizing Windows Cabinet (CAB) files creating deploying gadgets buying certificates signing via certificates Windows Installer Windows Installer, deploying gadgets via CAB files Windows Live Gallery, security Windows Media Player, advanced optional parameters list Windows Power Shell Windows Registry accessing ActiveX COM Windows Power Shell WMI listing MRU items from reading settings via ActiveX COM ShellOpen function Visual Studio MRU, viewing Windows Registry API, MRU Project Gadgets Windows RSS platform, reading online data via Windows Sidebar customizing gadgets, functions of Windows XP, Active Desktop feature WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) 2nd World Clock Gadgets designing images layouts themes usability developing animation existing framework integration handleLoad function logic mouse click events multiple locales SetClock function setting time SilverlightClock.XAML files features of JavaScript XAML 2nd WPF/E (Windows Presentation Foundation/Everywhere) [See Silverlight applications.] WScript, debugging gadgets Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] XAML (eXtensible Application Markup Language) Hello World files Silverlight World Clock Gadget 2nd XHR (XMLHttpRequest) object, reading online data via XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language), reading XML (Exentensible Markup Language) feed gadget files gadget.xml files Gadget.xml manifest files, MyBlog gadget reading XHR (XMLHttpRequest) object XML DOM XML DOM (Document Object Model), reading online data via XMLHTTPRequest object 2nd XMLHTTPRequest objects methods of properties of pulling text data retreiving HTML Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] Yahoo widgets, Konfabulator YouTube Video Gadget BuildVideoObject function designing layouts themes usability developing docked/undocked functionality existing framework integration gadget windows Flash Media Player, embedding in video feeds Index [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z] zip files deploying gadgets feed gadgets ... Share Your Gadgets Index Copyright Creating Vista Gadgets: Using HTML, CSS and JavaScript with Examples in RSS, AJAX, ActiveX (COM) and Silverlight Copyright â 2008 by Sams Publishing All rights reserved... Creating Vista Gadgets: Using HTML, CSS and JavaScript with Examples in RSS, Ajax, ActiveX (COM) and Silverlight by Rajesh Lal Publisher: Sams Pub Date: May 05, 2008 Print ISBN- 10: 0-672-32968-9 Print ISBN- 13: 978-0-672-32968-5... http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/) ISBN- 13: 978-0-672-32968-5 Library of Congress Cataloging -in- Publication Data Lal, Rajesh Creating Vista gadgets : using html, css and javascript with examples in rss, ajax, activex (com) and silverlight / Rajesh Lal