8.5. Adding Blog Functions with Widgets

If you think TypeLists are awesome, wait until we tell you about widgets. A widget is a piece of code that adds a specific function to your blog (such as posting your tweets in your blog sidebar as you submit them to Twitter or showcasing your latest photos uploaded to Flickr). You can organize your widgets and determine how they flow with your TypeLists by using the Design tab (we discuss this more in Chapter 11).

8.5.1. Understanding widgets

Widgets are generally produced by a third party and are placed in your sidebar (not the main posting area). They are made up of JavaScript or HTML code that produces a specific function (such as providing a search engine for your blog). You can find a widget that pertains to just about any blog topic you can think of. For instance, you can find useful widgets that allow your users to add your blog to their feed reader with one click, or you can find less useful (but fun!) widgets for counting down the days until the next episode of Lost.