The use of AJAX in the Google gadget directory can confuse the heck out of alot of users. When you add a gadget from the directory, it does not take you back to your home page so you can see the gadget in action, it just used to say “added”. and left you on the same page of the directory and new user would have to sorta flail around to figure out how to get back to heir iGoogle page to interact with the gadget.
Today there is a new feature where they have made the fact that a gadget has been added more clear to a user…
Now you will see a more distinct box, and a link to “other gadgets” you may be interested in….
This small change is rather significant, and definately useful because the old system you culdn’t even tell if gadget had been added unless you were really watching.
Unfortunately it does not really resolve the problem of getting back to the iGoogle home page where the gadget that was just installed actually resides.
I think it would be really useful if they added a second link in that box that said “Back to your homepage” or “see your gadget”. Something that told users how to see their gadget that they just installed.
That’s a very useful development in the directory. I am writing a manual for dummies (non-programmers) on creating Google Gadgets from scratch. Your website is one of my inspiration for this.
Google has apparently locked some of the authors pages. I have had some gadgets in the directory for months yet my authors page is blank. I have the correct tags/variables within the code. I asked Google Forums a few months back and got no response. I recently went back to the forum and ask again…I was ignored again.
Imagine that…Google refusing to answer a simple question or help!
Have you heard of certain authors pages being locked?