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Google, Web DevelopmentApril 25th, 2007 - 42,730 views A Google Gadget is a small XML file that generates a widget on aGoogle PersonalizedHomepage. Google hasexcellent documentationdescribing how to make a Gadget, but it’s so verbose that it hides just how simple it is to make your own Gadget, especially if you already have a widget or feed on your website that you’d like to Gadgetize (TM). It’sreally, really easy! And it can generate a ton of traffic for your site.
Step 1. Figure out what you want to gadgetize
First things first, you need to figure out what you want to turn into a Gadget. You coulduse a simple RSS feed, but it’s cooler if you have some sort of visualization using javascript or flash. The best gadgets update frequently so that they stay fresh as users visittheir homepage throughout the day.Creating the gadget HTML/javascript is probably the hardest part and, unfortunately, Ican’t be of much assistance since your content will probably differ a great deal frommine. But keep in mind that it’s the same old HTML and javascript you’re used toworking with on your website, so you don’t need to learn anything new.
 
I’ll be using aWine Review Widgetthat I created for a project I’ve been working for .It’s visual, well contained (it loads within an iframe) and updates frequently with newlyadded content.
Step 2. Create the Gadget XML File
A Google Gadget is built from a simple XML descriptor file that looks like this:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><Module><ModulePrefs title="hello world example" /><Content type="html"><![CDATA[Hello, world!]]></Content></Module>
All you need to do to make a working gadget is replace “Hello, world!” with the HTMLnecessary to display your content. Google provides ahandy scratchpadthat allows you to preview your gadget before publishing it. You can put pretty much any HTML tag insidethe XML wrapper, including script tags containing javascript and iframes. Thus, you cando some pretty nifty visual effects.Google also recommends that you add some descriptive information to your GadgetXML file before submitting it, including a title, description, thumbnail image and author contact information, among other things. This information is provided through attributeson the ModulePrefs tag. The only required attributes are title, description, author, andauthor_email - which are all pretty self explanatory. Check out this section of the Gadgetsdocumentation for descriptions of all of the suggested attributes.
Step 3. Submit your Gadget
Once you’re satisfied with the functionality of your Gadget you cansubmit it to Googlefor inclusionin their  Gadget Directory. The submission process is simple - just enter the URL of your Gadget’s XML file in an input box and hit Send (all of the contact anddescription information is in your Gadget’s XML file).The moderation process for new gadgets is apparently manual, so it takes Google sometime before they approve new submissions. But you don’t have to wait to use your newGadget. Simply go to theGadget Directoryand click “Add by URL” next to the search button at the top of the page. Enter the URL for your Gadgets XML file, hit submit, andconfirm that you want to add the gadget your page.You can also market your new gadget by sending users to a link in the form of http://www.google.com/ig/add?moduleurl=<your gadget URL>. You cantry it out withthe Gadget I created.That’s it! If you make anything cool be sure and leave a comment with a link so I cancheck it out. I think you’ll find that creating a Google Gadget is an excellent way to
 
market your website for free with very little effort. Keep in mind that there’s a lot moreyou can do with Google Gadgets than I’ve discussed here. Check out Google’sdevelopers guideto learn more.
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27 Responses to “How to make a Google Gadget in 15 minutes or less”
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 Nice explanation..Submitted in queue @ tweako(http://www.tweako.com ) 2.
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[...] How to make a Google Gadget in 15 minutes or less (tags: Google_Gadgets)[...]3.
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[...] my recent foray into google gadgets I realized that a simple google gadgetcould solve both problems, so I wrote one. It’s based [...]4.
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