Active Desktop Gadgets And Launch Pad

Active Desktop, Gadgets & LaunchPad:

Custom Interfaces for the Internal Audience

Grayson GordonCampus Web/Database Specialist

Missouri State University-West Plains

ObjectivesProvide students a common interface

Provide faculty and staff ease-of-access

Promote various information sources

Promote campus identity

Gadgets/Widgets

Active Desktop

LaunchPad

Active Desktop

Active DesktopHTML-based desktop background

Common links for students

Campus landmarks

The Campus Desktop

Common Links

Campus Landmarks

Active Desktop SetupCreate HTML page

Store page in network share

Set page as background in desktop properties

Copy profile to Default User

Active Desktop UsageCurrent initiatives can be linked

Current announcements emphasized

Links to new items

On most open access systems (classrooms, labs, etc.)

The Campus Desktop

LaunchPad

LaunchPadadministrative system interface

links to training areas

links to reporting functions

links to administrative system help

related sites

LaunchPad

LaunchPad SetupHTML page

baseline (client/server) access to administrative and training systems

web-based access to administrative and training systems

other links (local and external)

LaunchPad UsageBaseline - behind-the-scenes - Staff

Web-based - self-service - Faculty/Advisors and Students

Reporting - privilege-based - Faculty and Staff

Help/related functions - Faculty and Staff

Most staff have copied shortcut to desktop

LaunchPad

Staff Client/Server Access

Faculty/Advisor andStudent Access

Gadgets/Widgets

Gadgets/WidgetsActive Desktop not supported (Vista/Mac)

Provides similar access

Distribution obstacles

Maintenance issues

Grizzly LaunchPad

Directions: Microsoft© websitehttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/topics/vista/gadgets-pt1.mspxNote: Not the site I used originally, but seems more thorough.

Manifest (XML) file

HTML file

Rename folder with .gadget extension

Install gadget

Gadget Creation!

Manifest File

Manifest File

HTML

Grizzly LaunchPad

Widget CreationOpen gadget HTML in Safari

Copy to dashboard

Highlight

Note: Dashboard must be running in Developer mode to place widget from the dashboard onto the desktop

Widget Creation in Safari

Grizzly LaunchPad

Questions?Comments.

Suggestions!Grayson GordonCampus Web/Database SpecialistInformation Technology ServicesMissouri State University-West PlainsGraysonGordon@MissouriState.eduhttp://www.wp.missouristate.edu