Fun With Widgets!
A Tutorial So Easy Even A Caveman YOU Can Install Them!
I think we can all agree that everyone loves a visually appealing website or blog page.
Well, thankfully, ActiveRain supports many different types of widget codes to enhance your blog page.
But let's start from the beginning.....
What the heck's a Widget?
Well my technologically challenged friend, a widget is a small application that can be embedded into your blog or website page to make it more visually appealing. There are millions of these fun little widgets available on the web, and most of them are free! They come in all shapes and sizes and have many different uses.
If you look over to the right hand side of my blog, 
you can see that I've installed a "recent visitors globe", a "local information" and a "V-Flyer" widget to my sidebar. Although there are many websites out there, Widgetbox is a great place to start when looking for widgets for your blog.
OK, Craig, I like them! But how do I embed a widget into MY blog?
I'm glad you asked! This little tutorial will guide you through the whole process. You can thank me later!!!
Time Required: 5 minutes
Technical Skills Required: If you can turn on your computer, you're 1/2 way there.
Cursing Factor: 1 or 2. But only if you stub your toe in the process of following this tutorial.
Amount of Alcohol Required: Probably none. But have some handy just in case!!!
For starters, go to Widgetbox and find a widget you'd like to add to your blog. For the purpose of this tutorial I chose a simple clock to install. But don't worry, mostly all widgets install the same way.
Click on the clock to get to the page that has the widget code. I'll wait....
OK, ready? Here we go.
On the right side of the page that opened, customize the colors, etc. Leave the width and height as they are for now. You can always change them later.
Once you have the look you like, copy the code under the tab that's labeled MySpace.
Now, go to your ActiveRain home page.
Click on Settings.
In the box labeled "Blog Description" paste the code that you copied.
Click on Update.
Open your blog page and marvel at your newly installed widget, congratulate yourself for following the directions, never miss another appointment, and go find some more widgets to spice up your website or blog page!
Here's one that I tweaked a bunch so you could view it in this blog. I found it at Slide.com, and, as you can see, you can have some fun with widgets!
You can thank me now!
Craig Rutman is a North Carolina Residential Real Estate Specialist that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Raleigh - Cary – Apex metro areas; or any place else in the country by connecting you with a relocation professional in your destination of choice.
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