Changes

If you've spent any time with Windows Vista you may have seen the small applets that run on the desktop, things such as a clock and a weather widget. It will probably come as no surprise to you that Linux had feature like this long before Windows Vista came along. On the Ubuntu GNOME desktop this functionality is provided by technology called ''gDesklets''. The creators of the gDesklets technology call it ''Eye candy for the desktop'', and once you've had a change chance to see them it in action you will understand why.

The gDesklets packages are not installed by default with Ubuntu Linux and are not part of the officially supported subset of packages. That said, they are provided and maintained by the Ubuntu community and considered to be safe to install and use.

The first step is to install the gDesklet software. To do so, begin by selecting ''Add/Remove Software'' from the ''Applications'' menu to open the ''Add/Remove Applications'' dialog. Because ''gDesklets' are not part of the supported package list, the ''Show:'' selection menu must first be changed to ''All available applications''. Once this change has been made , enter ''gDesklets'' into the search field and press ''Enter''. The package manager will find the appropriate package and list it as follows: