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
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