Since I prefer Google's searching over what Microsoft currently has to offer I decided to throw together a quick Gadget which plugs into MSFT's http://www.start.com/pdc/  portal.

Here is a screen shot of the Gadget.

I wanted to keep things super simple since this is my first Gadget.  Here are the steps that you would need to take to integrate my Gadget into your page:

1. As per the "Getting Started" document on the Developer site, you need to change the setting on how IE access data sources across domains.  Here is the excerpt:

      "Note: In order to develop locally hosted gadgets within IE ensure that you have set the 'Access data sources across domains' setting to 'prompt'. You can check this through tools -> internet options -> select internet zone and click on 'custom level' -> under 'Miscellaneous' select 'prompt' for 'Access data sources across domains'."

2. Next you will need to add my Gadget into you feeds and gadget list:
   a. Navigate to http://www.start.com/pdc/
   b. On the top left, the "start" logo, expand it and pin it down
   c. Now click the "add feeds and gadgets" link
   d. In the "Add Content" dialog that pops up, paste in the url to my Gadget: http://www.mscorlib.com/gadgets/google/google.xml
   e. Hit Subscribe
   f. You can close that dialog now, by the X button on the upper right
   g. Under the "My Web" section in the "start" box on the left you should see the Google Icon, and next to it "Search", click that link
   h. It should prompt you if you want to install this Gadget.  Accept it and make sure you hit the checkbox labeled "Save" as long as I use this Gadget" at the bottom and then hit the "Install Gadget" button.

Here is a screen shot of what I'm talking about.

   i. This should show the default search form in the dialog.
   j. Click the "Add to my page" link on the top right of that dialog to add that Gadget to your start page, and you can re-arrange it wherever you like.

   3. The source can be found here (http://www.mscorlib.com/gadgets/google/). Its just a basic XML doc. and some simple javascript so dont be scared.  Just in case you want to install it locally and play around with it.  The getting started page on the developer site gives instructions on how to do this.  It does require a local web server. 

I wonder what MSFT has planned for this stuff.  Third party's selling off individual Gadgets/Modules to subscribers?  It would be kind of cool to be able to plug-in my own custom Tasks, Notes, Calendar Gadget on my favorite public portal site(s). 

How long will it take to see an Outlook Gadget which does all the Ajax stuff for its features then it is just a matter of data synchronization to Exchange Server or something.  The whole 'Access data sources across domains' is something that will need to be worked on, but I guess they can just put it onto the end user to make the decision.  Authentication, well we would need some level of trust with sites like this.

1 Comment

• Steffest said Monday, October 3, 2005 2:31:00 AM

  Hi,
  I was just about to say "Thanks, you saved my day!"
  Only ... at the moment your gadget is not working. Maybe I did something wrong. I'll check it out when I've got more time.
  Like you: I've switched to start.com but don't want to give up my google-search