Konfabulator

**jason** · 07-28-2005, 03:36 PM

If anyone out there has used the newest version of Mac OS X ("Tiger") then you've probably seen the new feature called "Dashboard." Dashboard lets you float little mini-applications, called widgets, all over your desktop. The range of offering gos from a Google search box to a flight tracker that lets you see where a flight currently is in the air.

Today I stumbled upon something interesting: Konfabulator. Basically it works a lot like Dashboard, but it runs on both Mac and Windows. Once you install the Konfabulator engine (which is just a javascript engine) you can start downloading widgets to run on your desktop. There aren't as many widgets available as there are for Dashboard, but there is no shortage either.

Konfabulator was just bought by Yahoo and is available for free at http://www.konfabulator.com.

**JPC-Greg** · 07-28-2005, 04:06 PM

thats pretty cool Jason

**Gwaihir** · 07-28-2005, 08:08 PM

Yahoo renamed it when they bought it. It's called "Yahoo Widgets" now.

Konfabulator btw was not overly pleased (to put it mildly) to see their concept become standard part of OS X. There's some speculation as to whether Yahoo will continue that legal battle (probably putting it in higher gear) or just drop it.

**Vin DSL** · 07-28-2005, 09:46 PM

I have a theory about Apple users...

**gerilya** · 07-30-2005, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Gwaihir

Konfabulator btw was not overly pleased (to put it mildly) to see their concept become standard part of OS X.

It's funny, similar "widgets" are available on *nix systems for a decade or so. Are you sure they refer it as their concept?

**Gwaihir** · 07-30-2005, 03:03 PM

That was my understanding, yes, though I can't say I have followed it very closely as I don't use widgets at all. I suppose it could be they just had to twitch, whether in their rights or not, as they were looking at loosing their main market, if that was the case then the buy out might have ended that problem.

**Rye Seronie Oh** · 07-30-2005, 03:10 PM

Dashboard is awesome on OS X. I find it quite neat. I feel like such a windows traitor or something by making the swtich. Haha.

**Connie** · 07-30-2005, 05:44 PM

I have a theory about Apple users...

I think most of us our familiar with that view.

**Rye Seronie Oh** · 07-31-2005, 12:04 AM

I wish you knew how funny I found this remark to be. It's actually quite ironic in my situation. The irony is that I'm an Apple user and that I'm gay. So, the chances of said thing happening is very high. Haha.

Just thought that I'd add that in.

Originally Posted by Vin DSL

Ironic, no?

Pretty soon, the only way you'll be able to tell an Apple user is .......

**Vin DSL** · 07-31-2005, 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by Rye Seronie Oh

The irony is that I'm an Apple user and that I'm gay. So, the chances of said thing happening is very high...

Heh! Maybe YOU can it explain it to them...

Every time I bring up Apple, 'they' think I'm being a homophobe.

**Rye Seronie Oh** · 07-31-2005, 10:05 AM

I have been a Windows user for most of my computing life. I only got Macintosh because it's easier and far more elegant. There's nothing beautiful about Windows. Mac is more stable and runs faster for me. I don't think it's so much that I'm gay, but maybe that has something to do with it. The Mac user who actually turned me on to the iBook is gay as well. So maybe that's more irony. Haha. I wouldn't call you a homophobe. On the other hand, my best friend is straight and is looking to get an iBook because she likes mine.

**Vin DSL** · 07-31-2005, 01:23 PM

Thanks, Ryan!

Okay, I want to start hearing some apologies from you 'old timers' - the ones that blasted me for being an Applephobe the past two years...

**mattsiegman** · 07-31-2005, 08:23 PM

Bad Vin!

**Gwaihir** · 08-01-2005, 09:30 AM

Not that I ever blasted you for it, but you are an Applephobe, aren't you?

**clio** · 08-02-2005, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by jason

If anyone out there has used the newest version of Mac OS X ("Tiger") then you've probably seen the new feature called "Dashboard." Dashboard lets you float little mini-applications, called widgets, all over your desktop. The range of offering gos from a Google search box to a flight tracker that lets you see where a flight currently is in the air.

Today I stumbled upon something interesting: Konfabulator. Basically it works a lot like Dashboard, but it runs on both Mac and Windows. Once you install the Konfabulator engine (which is just a javascript engine) you can start downloading widgets to run on your desktop. There aren't as many widgets available as there are for Dashboard, but there is no shortage either.

Konfabulator was just bought by Yahoo and is available for free at http://www.konfabulator.com.

I've used both. I bought Konfabulator sometime last year (before it was bought by Yahoo), and I prefer Apple's dashboard. Konfabulator slowed down my system big time. Apple's dashboard works better without slowing my system down. Aside from the slow startup time, it's great.

LinkBack

Thread Tools

Display

Konfabulator

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions