Quick overview:
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 on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: After installing TopProcess, you will be shown the three processes that consume the most performance. If in doubt, right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager". Right-click on the respective process and select "End process". Also search the Internet if TopProcess lists a process that you do not know - it is not uncommon for you to find a virus that is eating up your computer's performance in the background.
7 Vista Shutdown Control: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: With this gadget you can easily lock, restart or shut down your Vista with a mouse click! Right-click on the gadget and select "Options". This way you can choose a fancy background graphic that better matches your desktop wallpaper.
8th Voodoo Doll: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: Do you hate a colleague at work? Name this voodoo doll and give free rein to your anger.
9. media player: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: This comprehensive gadget plays all media files supported by your media player in a stylishly designed skin. All playlists of your WMP are supported and creating your own lists is no problem.
10 LEO search bar: Click here to open the page. Click on "Download", "Install", "Open" and "Install" again.
Description: Lightning-fast translation: English/German, German/English!
Have fun with the great gadgets....
Sandro Villinger
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
