Screenlets are small owner-drawn applications (written in Python) that can be described as “the virtual representation of things lying/standing around on your desk”. Sticknotes, clocks, rulers, youtube, gmail and more. Screenlets are free opensource software released under GPL License. Screenlets use GTK2 & Cairo for drawing and windowing.

With the newest version of Screenlets, 0.1, you can now run not only Python Screenlets but also Google Gadgets, other web widgets, and web applications. If you want to get started with Screenlets, I’ve previously written a guide about installing and configuring it: OS X-Like Widgets with Screenlets on Ubuntu.

Screenlets provides a huge variety of desktop widgets, including support for Superkaramba themes and Google Gedgets (through a converter). The project supplies a convenient package for Ubuntu users, but it appears that there is no RPM for Fedora users. But, with a few simple commands, it is possible to get screenlets up and running in Fedora 15.

If you spend as much time on the Linux desktop as I do, having small applets available for specific tasks can make your life that much easier. If you use the KDE 4.x desktop you will be familiar with Widgets. For the GNOME users there is an application called Screenlets.

It would be definitely nice if you could be informed of a new mail in your INBOX right in the desktop. Also there are many more choices like knowing your CPU usage, a clock and much more. Though these widgets got popular with Microsoft Vista, Linux users have got their own version where widgets can be installed with Screenlets for Gnome users.

One of the cool features of Screenlets is the ability to display widgets from a wide range of tools, including Google Gadgets. With its simple conversion feature, Screenlets allows you to easily place Google Gadgets on your Gnome 3 desktop. The following instructions show you how this can be done.

Screenlets are themed mini-applications programmed in Python. They are comparable to the widgets in OSX and Windows. This post will guide you through installing Screenlets and setting them up with Compiz Fusion to work similarly to widgets in Apple’s OSX.

Good looks was never supposed to be a priority for Linux apps. It wasn't so long ago that we seemed to be struggling to get even basic eye-candy such as anti-aliased fonts to work on the Linux desktop, but things have changed almost beyond recognition. It's now fair to say that the Linux desktop is at the forefront of visual effect, a cornucopia of eye-candy overflowing on to your desktop.

Screenlets if you don't know it are little widget like things for your desktop. And if you use Compiz Fusion or Beryl you can use the like Mac's dashboard if you turn the widget plug in on.