Make a New Widget!

As Pam mentioned, we've re-built our widget-making tools to make it even easier to create, manage, and distribute your widgets.  It was a huge effort and involved everyone on the Widgetbox team. 

Enjoy!  Here's a run-down of the new functionality.

Start Page

Our new start page displays the different types of content you can make into a widget.  Even if you've never made a widget before, you'll find it easy to get started.

Tip: If you're making an HTML/JS widget (what we used to call a "Hosted HTML" widget), you can start off by using our "Hello World" example widget.  This widget demonstrates how you can use Widget Settings to create a user-customizable widget.

Widget Editor

Our old widget-making tool made you manage your widget source (code),
Widget Settings, and the "preview" users see before installing your
widget across three different screens.  We've now consolidated all
three onto a single page.   Hottt!

When you make an HTML/JS widget, you'll have a chance to use our new Widget Code editor.   It includes two time-saving features: automatic tag completion and colored syntax highlighting.   Type in the name of your favorite HTML tag without the "angle brackets" and press tab: we'll insert the brackets and closing tag for you. 

Widget Dashboard

The new Widget Dashboard helps you ensure that your widget is working
properly and is maximizing its distribution potential.   Action links on
the left side of the Widget Dashboard provide quick access to the
tasks you perform most often. 

The Widget Effectiveness meter suggests tasks that you can complete to increase the chances of your widget's success.

Widgetbox Gallery

Finally, we've made it easier for you to share your widget in the Widgetbox gallery.  You'll find fewer fields on our "Submit to Gallery" page and now can specify a URL to the thumbnail image we associate with your widget.