The 10 most ingenious gadgets for your Vista sidebar

RSS, weather, slideshows and the clock in the Windows Vista sidebar are getting boring? Us too! But when you call up the sidebar gadget download page, over 300 German and almost 4000 international gadgets jump out at you. Too many? Us too! That's why we've put together 10 ingenious, funny and helpful gadgets for you! [By Sandro Villinger]

The gadgets known in Germany as "mini applications" are small, smart, easy to install and often very useful. In the following list, we describe 10 gadgets that will enhance your everyday computer life:

1. to-do list
Download: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: A simple notepad for various tasks! Simply click once in the input field, type in your note and press Enter.

2. wireless network monitor
Download: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: This gadget gives you a quick overview of the connection status, SSID, signal strength and security status of a Wi-Fi network. The display of the signal strength as a percentage is particularly helpful - so you can find a place for your router and clients at home more quickly and easily.

3. gadget spacer
Download: Here you will find the download! (Note: You have to wait 20 seconds before you can start the download)
Description: Bring more order to your gadget view. With the "Gadget Spacer", you can define the spacing between your gadgets yourself!

4. freenet SMS sender
Download: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: First of all, you can use this gadget to send three (free) text messages to the German cell phone network. After registering, however, you also have the option of buying credit and thus sending text messages (significantly) faster than with your cell phone.

5. Ultimate Explorer 2.0
Download: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: With the help of this gadget, you can save yourself the trouble of searching through various search services such as Google, eBay, Wikipedia or YouTube. Ultimate Explorer searches for your search words in ALL services on request.

6. TopProcessDownload: Click here to open the page. Click "Download", "Install", "Open", and again "Install".
Description: After installing TopProcess, you will see the three processes that consume the most power. If in doubt, right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.” Right-click on the respective process and select “End Process.” Research the Internet as well if TopProcess lists a process you don’t recognize—it’s not uncommon for this method to lead you to a virus that’s eating away at your computer’s performance in the background.

7. Vista Shutdown Control: Click here to open the page. Click "Download", "Install", "Open" and again "Install".
Description: With this gadget, you can easily lock, restart, or shut down your Vista computer with just a click of the mouse! Right-click on the gadget and select "Options." This way, you can choose a stylish background image that better matches your desktop wallpaper.

8. Voodoo Doll: Click here to open the page. Click "Download", "Install", "Open", and "Install again".
Description: Do you hate a work colleague? Name this voodoo doll and let your anger run wild.

9. Media Player: Click here to open the page. Click "Download", "Install", "Open" and again "Install".
Description: This comprehensive gadget plays all media files that are also supported by your media player in a stylish-looking skin. All your WMP playlists are supported, and creating your own playlists is also no problem.

10. LEO search bar: Click here to open the page. Click "Download", "Install", "Open", and again "Install".
Description: Fast translation: English/German, German/English!

Have fun with the great mini-applications that I have prepared for you....
Sandro Villinger