Ubuntu system doesn’t come with something like Mac OSX widgets or Windows Vista gadgets by default. However, you can get this feature by installing software called Screenlets.Screenlets are small applications written in python which can be put anywhere on your desktop. With the released of Screenlets 0.1.1, support for web widgets (widgets which are written in HTML, JavaScript and CSS, similar to Mac OSX widgetst) and Google Gadgets were added. With the widget plugin for Compiz Fusion, you can show and hide the Screenlets the same way you can with Mac OSX widgets. Screenlets include a bunch of preferences like keep above, keep below, lock a screenlet, make it sticky and set it as widget.

 

Features

• Easy to use, easy to develop
• Hundreds of Screenlets available
• Install and run Superkaramba themes
• Install Google gadgets youminis widgets spring widgets with the widget converter
• Load web applications just like prism
• Full compositing support
• Non composite support (metacity etc)
• Works with any composited X desktop (compiz, xfce4, …)
• Included themeing-abilities (SVG, PNG or mixed)
• Fully scalable when using SVGs
• Embedded drag&drop-support
• Automated storing of options (using ini or gconf)
• Controllable through customizable DBus-service
• Can be used together with compiz’ widget-plugin to create a Dashboard-like feature as seen on OS X
• Free, open-source and released under the GPL
• Uses cairo and GTK2 for drawing and windowing

Installation

If you already installed the previous version of Screenlets, please remove it first before continuing.

GUI style

1. Open Synaptic.

2. Go to: Settings > Repositories > Tab: 3rd party.

3. Click “Add”.

4. Add the following line:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gilir/ubuntu gutsy main universe

5. Click OK, close, etc. until only the main Synaptic window is open. Click "Update" (Far left button)

6. In Synaptic: Search for "screenlets"

7. Mark it for installation

8. "Apply"

Using Terminal

Add the repository to source.list file

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

For Ubuntu 8.04, add this line

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gilir/ubuntu hardy main universe

For Ubuntu 7.10, add this line

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/gilir/ubuntu gutsy main universe

Save and close the file. Then reload the repo

sudo apt-get update

Install the Screenlets package:

sudo aptitude install screenlets

 

Alternatively, you can install Screnlets using deb file which can be found here. If you use this method, you not going to be notified if there is any updates for the package.

 

Lunch the Screenlets

The Screenlets manager can be started from the Applications->Accessories->Screenlets menu item.

Get more Screenlets

 

You can get more Screenlets by downloading it from Gnome-Look.org website.To install the downloaded screenlets, drag and drop it to the Screenlets Manager or you can use install menu on the left side of the Screenlets Manager.

 

Some Screenshoots