Active Desktop

Q: I have noticed a feature on my Windows ME computer called Active Desktop. What does this option do?

A: Active Desktop was an interesting idea that many users love, while others seem to hate it. It essentially allows you to turn your desktop into a Web page. You can display various Web objects, and they will update themselves automatically. For example, you could embed a site like Google as your desktop background, and then search for things directly from it. You won’t see this feature talked about everywhere like you did in the past, but some users still run operating systems that have tight integration with Active Desktop. If you’re one of these people, it pays to learn about what this tool can do.

One of the first sites that you would benefit from looking at is this page from Microsoft. It contains simple directions on how to make Active Desktop work for you. Another page worth looking at is this oldie but goodie from PC World. It explains even more about how you can customize this hyped Windows feature. The information featured above is mainly applicable to those running retro Windows flavors, but if you use XP, turn to this page for help.

Play around with it and see what you come up with. However, if you want to automatically be notified when Web content is updated, look into RSS. You knew that was coming, eh?

Have a question or subject that you would like to see covered? Drop Brandon a line and maybe he can include it in a future edition of the Gnewbie Gnook! Also, don’t forget our forums (or, if you’re a Latin freak, “fora”) where Gnomies from all around the world congregate to help, be helped, and discuss issues that may or may not have anything to do with technology!