Figure 1. Gadgets Make Life Fun as a Developer. Fundamentally, gadgets are a Windows Vista scripting technology for creating lightweight applications that provide basic desktop functionality. But a clinical definition misses one of the best aspects of creating gadgets: These little gizmos are fun to create and use, and they can liven up the look of any desktop. This article will walk you through how to create your own gadgets, as well as how to attach them to the Sidebar that behaves a lot like the Taskbar.