1. Getting started with MyVox API for iGoogle gadgets

2. MyVox API presentation summary

3. How to call MyVox commands from the Google Gadget API

4. Creating a new recording list

5. Creating a new recording

6. Getting the list of existing recordings

7. Playing a recording

8. Deleting a recording

9. Improving the gadget usability

10. If you still have questions...

9. Improving the gadget usability

 

In this tutorial, we have mostly focused on API, code, and features implementation. Creating a successful and easy to use gadget requires paying attention to usability and the look-and-feel as well. Here are a few tips and ideas on how to make your gadget user friendly.

 

You should require your users to read as little as possible. If you can replace words by straight forward icons or buttons, you should do so. Your icons should be self explanatory, and should be very similar to what people know from their existing operating systems and applications. A very good and exhaustive library of free icons can be downloaded from FamFamFam.com. Look for the Silk icon library: http://www.famfamfam.com/lab/icons/silk/

 

 

If you need more than a simple icon to convey a functionality of your gadget, consider creating a nice looking button. Several online tools allow to easily creating series of buttons with text and/or icons built-in. A good example of such tool is the ButtonGenerator available from http://www.buttongenerator.com

 

 

 

 

The complete code of the iGoogle MyVox Voice Memo gadget is available here: http://www.ljmsite.com/google/gadgets/voicememo/voicememo.xml

 

You can add the Voice Memo gadget to your iGoogle page by clicking on this button:

 

Next, 10. If you still have questions...