Widgets are small web programs built with the same underlying code as normal websites. However, these programs are designed to be self-contained, allowing them to be displayed as (almost) standalone objects on a user's desktop when using a capable platform.
In the past, the Opera browser had the ability to install these widgets and display them on your desktop without any browser chrome. Over time, the widget idea didn't prove to be as popular as expected, and both Opera and the Microsoft Windows operating system discontinued their implementations of widgets.
Regardless, widgets are still bits of executable script applied to simple webpages, so I've embedded (almost) all of the widgets I built over the years here for you to check out. So what are you waiting for? Start using widgets! :)
My very first widget! A tetris game built using javascript and the <canvas> element, which works in advanced browsers such as Opera and Firefox. Stars Presto the Puffin, Opera's unofficial puffin mascot!
My widget masterpiece! PlanetWerks is a three-dimensional widget-sized tour through our solar system. This pretty darn awesome simulation lets you zoom, rotate, scale and click through planets, dwarf planets and major TNO's.
This fancy widget loads crossword puzzles which use the Across Lite .puz file format. A full featured interface, it includes a Clues tab, Keyboard tab, and several "Cheating" options ;) The full-blown widget version used to be able to store your progress when you closed the widget and browser; unfortunately, this embedded version cannot.
A multi-player online roshambo (rock-paper-scissors) game. Play rock-paper-scissors with random real people from around the world!
A Dr. Mario tribute game built using javascript and the <canvas> element, which works in advanced browsers such as Opera and Firefox. Also stars Presto the Puffin, Opera's unofficial puffin mascot! Now with music!
Crazy Maze is a clone of a timeless Atari console classic, Maze Craze. This widget is unique because up to three players can play simultaneously using the same keyboard. Includes most of the options of the original, such as Wounds and Invisible Walls.
A Video Poker widget containing five different game variations: Jacks or Better, Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus Poker and Deuces Wild. Also includes a training system to help you increase your edge on the real machines. Unlike the games you'll find in the casinos, this version won't cost you anything to play ;)
I built two other widgets for use with the Opera browser that I haven't embedded here. Both widgets depended on 'screen-scraping' the data from 3rd party sites to function, and for that reason I decided I'd rather not post them here.
Used Google Images output.
Used XE.com output.