“Have you ever wondered how new technologies get developed in Microsoft? Wonder how a cool idea goes from incubation to release? Well, we’re excited to announce that we’ve started a blog designed to bring you closer to the process with the Gadgets blog and we’re kicking it off at the PDC,” Microsoft’s “Microsoft Gadgets” website reads.
MacDailyNews Take: No, we never wondered how new technologies get developed or how a cool idea goes from incubation to release at Microsoft. We even know the address from whence such cool ideas and technologies come: 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014.
Microsoft’s “Microsoft Gadgets” page also reads, “What are Gadgets? Gadgets are a new category of mini-application designed to provide information, useful lookup, or enhance an application or service on your Windows PC or the Web.”
MacDailyNews Take: Gee, thanks for the explanation. Gadgets are Widgets, but the name was already taken, so Microsoft just copied the idea and introduced unnecessary complexity and usability issues, as usual.
“Gadgets come in three flavors,” Microsoft says.
MacDailyNews Take: Flavors? Now where have we heard that before? Oh, yes, from Apple. One of Microsoft’s “flavors” is “Gadgets for Windows Sidebar.” You know, like “Widgets for Mac OS X Dashboard.” Simple, huh?
Anyway, Microsoft’s so “super-excited” about the “cool idea” they’ve been “incubating,” that they want people to start start building their own. More info: http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/dashboard/ Oops, sorry: http://microsoftgadgets.com/
MacDailyNews Take: To those who wish to scream “Konfabulator,” we present you “Apple Mac Desk Accessories” circa 1984.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Apple leads; Wintel follows as usual – November 11, 2002
Microsoft appropriates Apple’s ‘brushed metal’ look for Office 12 for Windows – September 13, 2005
Windows czar Allchin says Apple copying Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn – April 27, 2005
Microsoft employees leaving due to (and blogging about) malaise smothering company – April 25, 2005
eWEEK Editor Coursey: Longhorn so far ‘looks shockingly like a Macintosh’ – April 25, 2005
Due in late 2006, many of Windows Longhorn’s features have been in Mac OS X since 2001 – April 25, 2005
Microsoft’s new mantra: ‘It Just Works’ ripped straight from Apple’s ‘Switch’ campaign – April 22, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Microsoft’s Longhorn: ‘They are shamelessly copying us’ – April 21, 2005
Microsoft’s Windows Longhorn will bear more than just a passing resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – April 15, 2005
Silicon Valley: Apple CEO Steve Jobs previews ‘Longhorn’ – June 29, 2004
PC Magazine: Microsoft ‘Longhorn’ preview shows ‘an Apple look’ – May 06, 2004
Microsoft concerned that Longhorn’s look and feel will be copied if revealed too soon – August 25, 2003
Windows ‘Longhorn’ to add translucent windows that ripple and shrink by 2005 – May 19, 2003
MacDailyNews Dashboard Widget 2.0 released – September 03, 2005
Free ‘Amnesty Screen Saver’ lets Mac OS X Dashboard Widgets run as Screen Savers – August 11, 2005
Runaway hit: Apple Mac OS X Tiger Dashboard Widgets pass one thousand milestone – August 02, 2005
Amnesty Widget Browser 1.0 released; runs Dashboard Widgets on Mac OS X Panther, Tiger Desktops – July 05, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs: Mac OS X Tiger ‘is going to drive the copycats crazy – June 28, 2004
Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs previews Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ to ship in the first half of 2005 – June 28, 2004
Apple takes dead aim at Microsoft, ‘Longhorn’ with WWDC Mac OS X 10.4 ‘Tiger’ ads – June 28, 2004
Before getting panties in a bunch … just wondering if this site is legit … the WHOIS info for http://www.microsoftgadgets.com appears to be dubious.
people: get beyond the microsoft self-promotion. thats not the story here.
the story is the way they *intend* to use it.
-instead of the brain dead translucent apple on laptop lids, why not implement informational info storage-data retreival widgets in a window on the cover instead.
-use of widgets in the blue apple menu
people: learn to read and appreciate what other developers are doing. apple cant sit and let widgets lie on a separate level within the opsystem.
there are some good indeas in the microsloth info.
-instead of the brain dead translucent apple on laptop lids, why not implement informational info storage-data retreival widgets in a window on the cover instead.
*Because the laptop is a retail product and the lid/cover is reserved for branding.
-use of widgets in the blue apple menu
*You’ve effectively relocated the widget. It’s still just a widget.
jay: the pinstipes: the actual problem comes from the original motif creator.
if you look at the shadow/reflection of each motif you will notice that the bottom od each does match up. the msn butterfly is simply taller than the windows logo.
however, that being said, yr point is still true, and is very well taken (and noticed!)
iuts why we love apple, isnt it?
Tools – not this time you weren’t. Two others beat you.
Curious. Nice catch. This does seem like some side project.
“Before getting panties in a bunch … just wondering if this site is legit … the WHOIS info for http://www.microsoftgadgets.com appears to be dubious.”
Ugh, good catch. I think we’ve all been snookered. A whois from Terminal doesn’t look like anything related to MS.
BTW, how does one do a whois for microsoft.com itself? I keep getting a list of other sites, and not MS’s info itself.
dfb, keep drinking the kool-aid. da’s are not even in the same class.
I can’t wait to see Monkeyboy CEO make another video showing the world how to use this ‘cutting edge’ technology…that would make it all worthwhile.
Andrew Hamilton
Las Vegas Videographers
http://www.hiproductions.com
DFB: “To those who wish to scream “Konfabulator,” we present you “Apple Mac Desk Accessories” circa 1984:
http://daringfireball.net/2004/06/dashboard_vs_konfabulator“
While it is easier to post a link to an article rather than do any critical thought of your own, the linked article is *way* off the mark.
Konfabulator Widgets use a language that casual programmers can pick up to create pleasing front-ends to internet content or self-contained apps that can permanently reside on the desktop. They’re also easy to open to tweak the work of others to meet your specific need. They’re in sharp contrast to Desk Accessories, which were a closed system requiring Real Programming and were around only until memory got cheap enough to render them unnecessary.
The idea of simple coding and an open format really sets Konfabulator apart from DAs here. In fact, its lineage would be more closely linked to apps like FaceSpan and OneClick (yet no one points to *those* as prior art).
I think it’s funny hear the same crowd that crowed so loudly about Dashboard being an original idea and a natural evolution now stand up in outrage about Microsoft stealing the concept. At least Microsoft changed the name of their mini-apps.
Im just shocked that they werent named something like Windows Vista WMA Enabled Low-Function Applications Environment 2500XPFSDFGH
Mac Daddy, you are right again. I wonder how many days before someone tells me that MS was ripped off by Apple.
ITS
A
FAKE
WEBSITE!!!!
THE KNICKER TWISTING CAN STOP NOW.
Somebody out there is having a real laugh at the people who are crying fould over this on that site – including me! i hate microsoft products – and love apple products – but some of the stuff on that site written by apple fans is nothing short of playground mentality in overdrive.
MS should called them Migets
Dashboard is based on Apple’s Desktop Accessories from the original Mac OS. Konfabulator was only successful because it took the old idea and made it fit in with Mac OS X. Hardly surprisingly, Dashboard also fits in with mac OS X, thus making Konfabulator irrelevant.
I don’t want my gadget micro and soft. 🙁
have you people checked out some of the blogs of the contributers?
i think this site is totally legit – but being down as a side project by the developers! most of them have links to it – and articles.
also from one of the blogs is this thing – very mac like
http://www.microsoft.com/max/
look at this!!!
the side bar has become pure dock like and no messing!!!
A Different Rob –
The linked article acknowledges your distinction and credits OneClick as the missing link between Desk Accessories and Konfabulator.
Apparently, it’s easier to scan an article then criticize its relevance than it is to read what’s been cited first.
MDN’s links are frequently off-base, but this one is right on, I’m afraid.
i just posted as on the following microsoft blog –
‘…you’ve got to be kidding right?!?! at least acknowledge that Apple have been there, done it, bough the t-shirt and then put it up for sale on eBay!
hello?! http://www.apple.com/uk/macosx/features/dashboard/…’
please keep the language clean though as one dumbass seems to have sworn all over the place.
http://galactic-patrol.blogspot.com/
If anyone actually went to the site, let me also add somethig I noticed. The background on the site…..the dark grey and light grey lines… it reminds me of earlier versions of OS X….I wonder if Vista’s windows look like that and thats where the site got the idea….it wouldn’t surprise me.
-Just thought you’d might like to know
Here’s my favorite quote from the new <i>”http://microsoftgadgets.com/blogs/gadgetnews/archive/2005/09/13/3.aspx”<i>, the so called M$ Gadgets site.
“# re: Welcome to the Gadgets Blog! @ Tuesday, September 13, 2005 6:14 PM
Why don’t you just call it Windows OS X and be done with it?”
Oh, my side!
While I won’t speak for whether or not the website is fake, the eWeek article shows that the concept is real and, yes, they are called “gadgets.”
Seriously, since apple isn’t advertising, how could people know Apple (or konfabulator) did this first?
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> ) how great Mac OS X really is and how much M$ copy it!
Damn it Apple! Get a grip and show people (not us already in the cult
MacMania missed the best part of the delicious (and it is delicious) quote:
“Why don’t you just call it Windows OS X and be done with it?”
It’s credited to:
Paul Thurrott
oh my sides too
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”LOL” style=”border:0;” />