Thing 12 -- Adding Widgets

Adding widgets is fun, and it's easy to spend a lot of time playing with them. I added two widgets using two different methods. I tried to create an avatar, but it didn't work.

First, I added a stock market update from around the world using the categories given under Add a Gadget. Since I teach a finance and investing class, this would be a useful one to add to a school blog.

Second, I added a scientific calculator widget. It took a little experimentation and looking at the stock market widget code to realize that I needed to choose Text as the gadget type. Then I named it and pasted in the code, and it worked. The only thing I wish I knew how to do was to resize the calculator so it isn't so big and to move it to the side (it won't move there because it's too wide). I'm getting much more comfortable adding code. It's really quite easy once you know how.

I don't belong to any online communities right now. I used to belong to some scrapbooking groups, and when I was actively involved in the groups it was fun to talk to people from all over and share ideas with them. I don't have a Myspace or Facebook account. I guess kids like social networking sites for the same reason I liked my scrapbooking groups: it allows them to talk about things they are interested in with others in a comfortable, easy, non-threatening way. Kids are used to using the computer/phone to communicate so it seems natural to them to communicate this way. In addition, they can meet "friends" from all over the world.