Web+Widgets

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=** What are widgets? **=

Web widgets are client-side applications created using HTML, jQuery, AJAX, etc. that can be installed within a web page.

** What are widgets for? **
Widgets make a website more dynamic. They provide interactive experiences for readers. Widgets can allow web designers to bring third party information and content into their site to enrich the overall experience of the user.

Examples of common widgets:

Analytics Social media feeds RSS feeds Image slideshows Weather reports Calendars Google ads


 * Who uses widgets? **

Widgets are perfect for web designers who don’t have extensive coding experience. The code for a widget can simply be copied and embedded into a personal site, blog, or social media site. Programs such as Adobe Dreamweaver even allow web designers to customize the configuration of a widget without having to touch the original code.

Widgets can be used by businesses for analytics (site statistics), by web designers who want to create a more interactive site, or by bloggers.


 * How are they relevant to technical communication? **

Widgets are used in a variety of ways across the Web. Nearly every up-to-date website will have a widget. They’re a quick and easy way for technical communicators to introduce user interactivity to any website.


 * Resources for further information: **

http://www.w3.org/TR/widgets/#introduction http://www.widgetbox.com/widgets/ http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/widgetbrowser/