In one of the greatest questions of all time – to widget or not to widget? – there are a few factors to consider before making your choice. Do you prefer a clean desktop or easy access to all of your files, software and applications? Do you check any sites often? Would a shortcut be a good solution for a quick informative glance? Let’s take a look at widgets to help you make your decision.
What are Widgets?
Widgets are simply applications that can be displayed on your phone, personal computer or laptop. The widgets can display information constantly or can provide a quick link to information, like displaying Facebook statuses or linking to weather information.
What if I Don’t Like to Widget?
Some people like to constantly display widgets on the desktop, but other users prefer a streamlined desktop with little or no files, software or application links. Whatever your preference, though, Apple has introduced a great widget concept that can allow you to have constantly displayed widgets or invisible widgets–the Dashboard.
The Dashboard
Apple’s Dashboard allows users to change settings to preferences. Users can make the widgets constantly visible, or they can set the Dashboard to pull a disappearing act — the widgets will disappear at the touch of a button — excellent for widget privacy. This feature enables users to maintain a clean screen, free of widgets, until they are necessary. Then, pressing hot keys or a hot corner makes the widget Dashboard reappear.
Now, the streamlined look of a blank desktop is possible without shunning the easy access to information that widgets provide. As a privacy tool and a desktop streamlining tool, the Dashboard allows all users the opportunity to really personalize their desktops. Whether personalization be minimalism or widget heaven, any user can express personality and keep in touch at the tough of a (hot) key.