Windows Vista does not really come with an option to backup and restore the gadgets that are currently showing in the Windows Vista Sidebar. Vista Sidebar Restoration 8.9 is a software program that can backup the existing Windows Vista Sidebar settings.

The Windows Vista Sidebar Backup tool will backup the exact layout of the active gadgets and their settings in one click and can also restore them that easily. Uninstalled gadgets are excluded from the backups.

Backing up the Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets might come in handy when the gadgets get tangled or if the gadgets should be moved to another computer.

The Indexer Status (via Genbeta) Gadget has another interesting function which is probably even more useful than displaying the information about the search indexing process. Users can pause and resume the Windows indexer which is excellent if you want to make sure that the application that you start in a few seconds will have all possible system resources available.

Users who have installed the Windows Live 4.0 search update which is a preview release can enable its Index Now feature in Indexer Status as well.

But everyone has to make the decision on his own and I know that several of my friends are actually using the Windows Vista sidebar. The following is a list of gadgets for the Windows Vista sidebar that could find some fans among you.

All links lead directly to the download page at Windows Live that contains a download link, description, rating and user comments. One question that I would like to ask if you, if you use Windows Vista, also use the Vista sidebar and if you do which gadgets have been added to it. Lets start with a few new gadgets for Windows Vista.

Outlook Info displays several information about Microsoft Outlook including the number of unread emails, to-dos and a link to the calendar.

The Media Player gadget for the Vista sidebar offers control elements and drag and drop functionality. Looks ok if you are using Media Player as your main software player.

The Magic Folder helps you categorize files by moving them automatically into the right folder if you drop them onto the gadget. This means that picture files will for instance be automatically moved to the pictures folder.

Dictionary Gadget returns a word definition if the user enters a word or phrase in the text box.

CT Control is one of those gadgets that display system information but also some additional features like quick access to shutdown, log off buttons and a timer.

Screen Snaper is a gadget that provides functions to take screenshots.

The Amnesty Generator (Windows, Macintosh) tries to fill this gap by providing a clever way to convert thousands of web widgets to Vista gadgets that can be placed in the sidebar. The program is free and absolutely easy to use. All it needs is the html code of the widget to automatically convert it into a Vista sidebar gadget. The html code is displayed when you select a widget from the many databases that offer them.

It is for instance possible to add Google Gadgets, feed from Grazr, Youtube videos or games from several arcades to the Vista sidebar.

The Amnesty Generator has a large list of websites that offer web widgets which can be accessed by visiting them in your default browser. All you need to do is find the code to embed the widget into your own website and copy that code from the website.

Paste it into Step 2 of the Generator and customize the Sidebar gadget further by assigning a name and width & height for it. Those values are filled out automatically but you can change them if you want. Last but not least you can add an image which can be used to recognize the vista gadget in the gadget browser.

source: Windows Vista Tweaks

While browsing the Windows Live Gallery website I noticed that the best rated gadgets hat only a rating of 3 stars out of 5 possilbe which is a little bit strange to say the least. I’m using the Ebay sidebar tool, the Gmail gadget, the run gadget and the app launcher all the time while I use the battery monitor only if I’m using the notebook on the road.

1. Ebay Sidebar Tool – May display information about current sales, the watchlist and items that you bid on. Includes a quick search as well. Works with all localized eBay websites.
2. App Launcher – Add icons to the app launcher box which can be used to start software that is installed on your computer. Similar to a quick launch function.
3. Battery Monitor – Vista is running on my Toshiba notebook and it is nice that I can use the Battery Monitor to keep an eye on the battery level of my notebook. Pretty useful.
4. Run – Launch applications,open folders or open urls by typing their names in the run box.
5. Binsearch Sidebar – Binsearch is a great site that spiders Usenet posts on their site and makes those posts searchable. Now you can search using the sidebar gadget instead of going to the site first.
6. Gmail Reader – notifies you when you have new mail in your inbox. Can also display a summary of the 20 latest messages.