Windows Live Chronicles: WL Gallery

Call for all CA Gadgets Developer!

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:32:27 GMT

Thanks for all your support, WL Gallery has quickly become one of the most visited personalization websites in Canada! I want to use this chance to highlight a couple of Vista gadgets made by CA developers:

The WeatherEye by TheWeatherNetworks. This gadget gathers almost 15K downloads in the few weeks after we put it on the front page, the reviews are all quite positive. A couple of things that make this gadget unique is the fact that it is very appealing and the content on the gadget is just right - not too crowded yet informative. My only criticism is that the size of the gadget when undocked is a little too large. Other than that this gadget is very well thought out and designed, I give it a 4.5/5. Click on the link above and try it out yourself.

The Random Search gadget by our team. This is actually one of my ideas that didn't really fly (it only gathered 500 d/ls to date). My feeble attempt to defend my initial idea is as follow: I was sitting in a room with a few other PMs, discussing what gadgets would be good to promote WL Search and ultimately generate some queries. We were casually chatting about some really non sense ideas which I don't want to share here, but we all know those ideas suck one way or the other. Out of frustration I said something along the lines of, "why don't we create a zero-value gadget that does nothing but generates a random search query, like a pop-up generator!" Obviously, that came out from my tongue and not my brain. But then on a second thought, that idea actually have legs (at least I thought). A gadget that generates some cold knowledge, like how many liters of milk is produced by a cow every year; the origin of the word "nobis", etc would be cool. So we start executing on this project and produced this gadget. Our graphics designer also added in some distinctive elements into this gadget, like making it looks like a slot machine and I really thought this would be a great gadget! But apparently I'm a little too nerdy.

Moral of the story, I need your help on creating new cool gadgets. If you are a developer, DIY! If you are a consumer with a brilliant idea, send me an idea and I'll materialize it for you!

Gadget VS Gadget

Fri, 18 May 2007 14:51:05 GMT

Are you a Canadian developer? Are you eager to show case your mad programming skills to the entire world? Windows Live and MSDN have worked together and provide you a chance to prove to the world "YOU CAN PROGRAM!". This Gadget VS Gadget contest calls for all developers who have cool ideas and can apply them to Vista sidebar gadget.

The competition is running from 14th May until the 16th July 2007 and entries must be submitted to the Canadian Windows Live.

Windows Live Gallery Launched in Canada!

Tue, 15 May 2007 21:45:06 GMT

We're excited to announce that yet another beta product has been launched in Canada. As of today, Windows Live Gallery Beta is live and accessible to the Canadian population!

Windows Live Gallery is part of the Windows Live Platform initiative, providing a sharing platform for Windows Live and Windows Vista users to download / exchange gadgets and apps such as Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets, Live.com Search Macros, Windows Live Messenger Personal Expressions (Emoticons, Display Pictures, Winks, Backgrounds), Windows Live Toolbar buttons, and many more to come in the future. Very different from the Sympatico MSN portal, the Live Gallery features user generated content. Millions of developers, hobbyists, designers, home users, and businesses around the world are all participants in the Windows Live Gallery. According to Nielson, Windows Live Gallery US is the most visited personalization site on the internet with over 3.9 million unique users and over 27 million page views in March. We are looking forward to extend this number with this launch in CA.

Canadians currently can access the Windows Live Gallery Beta in 3 ways:

1) http://gallery.live.ca

2) Redirection from http://get.live.com

3) Through Windows Vista Sidebar (Add Gadgets Link)

To Consumers

A trusted and free website where users can download the type of gadgets & content they want. These gadgets would enhance and extend their experience with Vista, Messenger, Live Search, Toolbars, Mobile, and many others. They could also provide feedback and ratings to the gadgets they downloaded and form a community.

For Developers

A common platform that they can use to showcase their latest creations! On top of that, they could build up their profile as a “Windows Live developer” over time and establish their reputation. Every gadget submitted will be associated with your Windows Live ID and we will keep track on all the gadgets you have submitted, along with ratings, reviews, etc. Moreover, we will also host development contests on the sites with great prizes.

To Businesses

Windows Live Gallery provides yet another great platform for you to promote your business, your brand, or your products. Imagine a Nike Gadget sitting on your client’s sidebar, a TD Waterhouse toolbar button, NBA Team card on the client’s messenger. This is a perfect way to get your brand out there. Small businesses can also take advantage of this. Hosting gadgets on Gallery is free and all they need to do is to cover the development cost. They can even contact developers directly as long as they have their contact information listed as public.

So what can YOU do now?

Check it out and let me know your suggestions!