Windows Vista Sidebar: Your visual blueprint for developing cool gadgets for the Windows OS [Paperback]

Dave Konopka (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470043946 | ISBN-13: 978-0470043943 | Publication Date: October 29, 2007 | Edition: 1

Here’s the only series that teaches professional-level computer topics visually. Step-by-step screen shots demonstrate over 150 Windows Vista Sidebar techniques, including creating a gadget HTML interface; setting gadget height, width, and font; applying visual effects to text; using JavaScript in a gadget; adding or hiding content in a gadget display; building a flyout panel; defining default settings for gadgets; using XMLHttpRequest to download data; handling loading errors in XML documents; displaying data from a PHP script; and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Welcome to the only guidebook series that takes a visual approach to professional-level computer topics. Open the book and you'll discover step-by-step screen shots that demonstrate over 150 key Windows Vista Sidebar techniques, including:

• Creating a gadget HTML interface

• Setting gadget height, width, and font

• Applying visual effects to text

• Using JavaScript® in a gadget

• Adding or hiding content in a gadget display

• Building a flyout panel

• Defining default settings for gadgets

• Using XMLHttpRequest to download data

• Handling loading errors in XML documents

• Displaying data from a PHP script

EXTRA Apply It 

• "Apply It" and "Extra" sidebars highlight useful tips

• High-resolution screen shots demonstrate each task

• Succinct explanations walk you through step by step

• Two-page lessons break big topics into bite-sized modules

About the Author

Dave Konopka is a Web developer and writer living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has experience building Web and desktop applications using Microsoft’s .NET Framework. Most recently, ColdFusion has become his tool of choice as he develops dynamic Web tools for the academic environment. Dave enjoys using all forms of technology to help extend the reach of non-profit organizations. Most of all, he likes spending time outdoors with his wife. He keeps track of his random assortment of interests on hisblog: www.lifelikeweeds.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Visual; 1 edition (October 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470043946
• ISBN-13: 978-0470043943
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,109,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very simple, not too useful, December 19, 2007

By 

A. D. Ladner (Gulf Stream, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Windows Vista Sidebar: Your visual blueprint for developing cool gadgets for the Windows OS (Paperback)

I am a long time programmer, and familiar with procedural languages and JavaScript. I've written Yahoo widgets thus I am familiar with the concepts, so how hard could the extra HTML, DHTML, XML, CSS, AJAX be?
Answer? Immensely, and this book does not help. There are a number of examples, one on every page. They are simplistic, not extendable, and frequently useless. There is no summary of extensions, commands, events (the usual stuff one needs in a reference) and no discussion worth a hoot of the g:Image, g:Background etc objects provided by Microsoft.

If you are not already an experienced web page programmer, DO NOT get this book as it is incomplete.
If you are a web page programmer, DO NOT get this book as it is too simplistic.

There is, unfortunately, not too much out there yet, but I don't think this will be the answer you seek.