Way back when, my observation was that Windows Gadgets were a weak attempt to copy the Widgets feature form the Mac OS X Dashboard. The Dashboard feature was introduced with OS X 10.4 “Tiger” back in April of 2005. Gadgets, officially known as Microsoft Gadgets, were introduced with the Windows Sidebar feature in Windows Vista, January 2007.

Copy. Cat.

At first I didn’t like Microsoft Gadgets and the Windows Sidebar. I enjoyed the Mac Widgets. They could pop-in when you accessed the Dashboard, appearing superimposed over the desktop. Gadgets, on the other hand, always floated on the desktop. A maximized window easily obscured them — or worse, they floated over the window.

The only instance I really used the Gadgets was when researching a book. I’d fire up the Sidebar, slap down some Gadgets, such as the Time or Pictures, then I’d take my screen shot, write a paragraph, and be done. So much for Gadgets.

Over time, however, I noticed that the gadgets were something predictable I expected on the screen. For example, I grew used to seeing the clock off on the right end of the desktop. Ditto for the calendar; it was a quick way for me to check a date.

Then I added the Stock Ticker. After all, nothing gets me going in the morning like seeing how terribly my 401K is performing.

Then I added the Precious Medals Gadget. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to own gold. Not to trade in your gold like those idiots on the TV commercials, but to actually have, say, 1,000 ounces of gold! Ah, but I can dream . . .

The Weather Gadget is kind of useless for my own location, but I added a half dozen Weather Gadgets for places where my friends live. That way I can tell you that’s 43 degrees now where my sister lives, but a glorious 72 degrees at my mom’s house.

Having all those Gadgets on the screen — particularly on a widescreen monitor where they didn’t overlap a window — grew familiar to me.

And now they’re gone.

Well, they aren’t gone as much as Microsoft is obviously disinterested in Gadgets. While the Windows Sidebar is still an option in Windows 8, the problem is a lack of Gadgets. The Gadget repository at the Microsoft web site is pretty much empty.

That’s disappointing.

In the end, I liked the Microsoft Gadgets much better than I like the Mac OS X Dashboard Widgets. I mean, I wish that some of the Dashboard Widgets I use could float on the desktop like Gadgets do. Alas.