it has been some time since my last post as I have been creating and managing my own empire in the world of Russ.

Actually, I have been busy managing other blogs as after the success of this one, I was approached to write and edit for several other blogs which I have sealed my lips to mention. Suffice it to say I help develop and make successful some of the top blogs on the Internet, only to stuff the wallets of my superiors. OOOO how I hate the word "superiors"!

Don’t get me wrong, I loved….no…liked my bosses a bunch and appreciate the opportunity they gave me, but it’s just not the same as running your own blog(s) and having the freedom to say exactly what I want to say, when I want to say it. Therefore, after a long hiatus, I am back to give you more of what you want in the widget world.

It appears Microsoft still hasn’t learned that a widget is a widget and not a gadget. I guess some habits are hard to break, but I will not buck the system and the choice of the people and continue to call these little suckers widgets, though I may not capitalize the word as if it were a person any longer. That’s right! I have accepted the fact that my friend the Widget, (oops, I capitalized him/her again) is not a person but only much more reliable and fun to hang around.

Enough of the hoopla!

That’s all for now, as I only wanted you to know I am back with plans to post as often as necessary to keep you informed of how widgets can change your life. OK….maybe a stretch, but widgets certainly make your online web design life easier and I look forward to getting this puppy rolling again.

In the mean time, feel free to peruse the site and widget your little heart out.

Don’t forget to sign up for the latest RSS feeds so you’ll know whenever I add new content.

Off I go to find a dating widget so I don’t have to spend the holidays alone.

The interesting thing is there are many Astrology Widgets available, but very few are creative. Maybe an opportunity for developers?

My first stop is almost always widgetbox.com. You can reply on those guys to always have something related onhand. Not always the best, but almost always something you can use. Here is a list if Widget Boxes Astrology widgets.

I did find a few which are quite easy to implement, but one in particular which is a bit scarey if you’re planning for the long term placement on your page. I say a bit scarey, because the fine print on this site says "Terms: Only one Moon Phase Plugin per webpage. Widget reserves the right to withdraw this free service at any time without notification."

They also only allow one Widget per page.

That sucks! I’ve never liked rules, and this one really stinks, but it is a pretty cool idea.

Oh well, it’s free for now and they will not allow me to display but one astrology Widget per page and I have chosen the moon phase Widget.

I guess I liked the variety of what they offer more than anything:

Planetary Hour	Calculates the planetary hour for 4000 locations worldwide. Displays in text or image format.
Moon Position	Calculates the position of the moon and displays it in either text or image format.
Moon Phase	Calculates the phase of the moon and displays the moon’s image with the named phase underneath.
Instant Biorhythms	Calculates and returns an image of the users biorhythms cycle upon DOB submission. Requires the user to have the Flash 6 browser plugin.

To see all of their "offer may expire soon" Widgets, you may view at widgetsworld.co.uk

Other sites with astrology Widgets for websites and desktop:

• Apple "Ashtrology"

• Astrology.com Widgets

• NetVibes Astrology Widgets

• Yahoo Horoscope Widget
• Yahoo Desktop Horoscope Widget

• Softpedia Astrology Widget

Everybody knows it’s important to get links coming into your site.

Not everyone knows reciprocal linking is dead.

Wake up! Reciprocal linking is DEAD!

The search engines have become wayyy too smart, and recognize when two sites are linking back and forth to each other. This worked like a charm until recently. The big boys search engines have changed their tune in a big way.

Don’t get me wrong…reciprocal links will not hurt you, but they no longer carry the weight they used to. Too many people simply abused the system and the game has changed.

Introducing 3WayLinks – click here

If you do not give a hoot about your sites ranking in the search engines, play a little Pac Man Widget while you wait on the rest of us.

There is also a distinction between web page Widgets and Desktop widgets. This post is focusing on web page Widgets and the links used most often for Widget creation.

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Here are a few I have used and hope you’ll comment with others.

Creating Widgets

Create Yahoo Widgets

Create Spring Widgets

Create A Digg Widget

Create Opera Widgets

Create Snipperoo Widget

Create Widgetbox Widget

Creating Mobile Widgets?
Try Widsets.com If interested, you will find a YouTube video demo from Widsets explaining how it all works.

After you have created your Widget and are ready to share with the world, you can submit your Widget to the sites listed above, as well as popular Widget sites like Widgipedia. I love this site and it is a popular source for getting the word out.

Submit Widget to Widgipedia.com

Here’s another submission location from sixapart.com (TypePad)

Submit TypePad Widget

If you are intimidated by new technology and simply want to see how easy it is to create a Widget, this site offers a simple solution. WARNING: Once you see how easy it really is, you may become addicted.

If you must know about Dashboard Widgets right now, here are some
Dashboard Developer Resources:

iSlayer.net
Lensco Widgets
Liepins.org
Lost Boy Studios
Mesa Dynamics
Monkey Business Labs
Vanilla Soap Widgets
Tossen•Widgets
Jon Brown Design
The Dashboard

Different browsers require different platforms in order to make your Widget
work. Keep in mind, Internet Explorer is still largely the widest used browser.
However, and personally, I prefer Firefox which operates similarly to IE, and most Widgets will work perfectly in both browsers. Opera, a relatively new browser may have
some restrictions. Opera user feedback is welcome.

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Browser Downloads

Download Firefox Browser

Download Internet Explorer

Download Opera Browser

Download Safari Browser

Creating Widgets is fun and easy! Widgets definitely make life easier when creating a new website or blog. Web 2.0 allows any idiot (including me) to create a professional looking site with all the bells and whistles of the big boys!

Lastly, a future post will include info related to desktop Widgets. Though this CNET video came out last year, it clearly demonstrates how easy it is to create you own personalized desktop widgets with Web Clip . More to come on how to make a blog Widget…

If you have favorite sites where you like to create Widgets, please let us
know!

Tags: game widget, webpagewidget

I wanted to keep this Widget a secret.

At the same time, I can’t wait to tell you about it.

Those of you who operate a blog, and act as affiliates, are really going to love this one.

This sucker makes placing “rotating ads” on your blog a cinch. Whether its Google Adsense code or affiliate tracking code, this mamma jamma solved my problem.

More Info5 easy steps:

1. Upload the plug-in to your blog.
2. Activate the plug in.
3. Drag and drop into your sidebar.
4. Insert your code into the widget.

Now, every time a new visitor comes to your site, a new ad will be displayed.

You will see an example of this puppy in action on my newest blog SaversBlog.com (opens in a new window).

I’m still working on the site as I write this post, so forgive the mess, but look on the bottom right of the blog. You will see ads for coupons. Refresh the page, and you’ll see another coupon ad is being displayed.

Find your rotating ad widget here.

Good lord, I love Web 2.0!

Tags: widget blog, maps widget

What’s a Yahoo Widget you say?

Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about Yahoo Widgets

Tags: ebaywidgits, facebook widget