18 replies to this topic

[SmellieNellie]

I just wondered if anyone knows why "Widgets" are always used when generalising about selling. Granted, sometimes they are Blue Widgets, sometimes they are Green Widgets, but always widgets.

I wonder whether there are actually any companies on the Internet selling widgets??

Just an observation .........................

[OldWelshGuy]

http://www.google.co...dget definition

[SmellieNellie]

I guess it says more about me than anything else, but I honestly thought they were referring to those things they put in cans of beer! But then I couldn't see why refer to those when talking about marketing on the Internet! Ah well, it's been a long day!

Thanks OWG - you really are a mind of information! By the way, my e-mails are back on track.

Smellie

[Grumpus]

It's amazing how things get lost over time. That Google search makes it look like widgets are something to do with computers. The term widget was first used widely by economics and business instructors around the beginning of the 20th century. By using the non-specific term "widget", it was easier to apply something learned to other types of products. There is a lot of specualtion as to the actual orgins of the word but it's popularity (originally anyway) arose from those business and econmic professors to deal with "non specifics" and "generalities" of manufacturing or sales and marketing to give a background overview rather than the specifics of a particular product.

We see the term a lot in our field because of popular sites like WMW where talking in specifics about your site, what you were selling or marketing etc. is forbidden. It only makes sense to use the word "widget" because that's what the word is designed for - describing things in generalities.

Nowadays (and for most of my lifetime) widgets has rather come to mean the same as "gadgets" in some circles. And yes, recently, a widget is also used by the Brits to put a head on their beer - as noble a task, as I've ever heard.

When used around here, though, it's more likely the original meaning - a word to vaguely describe a specific in order to gain general advice about something without giving away specifics about it. (Nice sentence, huh?)

G.

[projectphp]

Widget is also a computer term to describe a bunch of generic , damn, can't think of anything other word to use, "widgets" that programmers can use, e.g., you know the drop down menu to jump to another forum down the bottom right of this forum? Well the generic drop down box is a widget. Ditto the toolbars in Word.

There are various different widget toolkits (like GTK) that aid the quick and easy development of programmes. So, widgets are a virtual tangible thing, and most 1st world peoiple use them everyday.

<sigh>Useless trivia, that's all I've got!!!!

[respree]

If I'm not mistaken, its entomology is an alteration/modification of the word 'gadget.'

[SmellieNellie]

Ah now there you see, I can sleep easy tonight! I knew in my heart of hearts that widgets were of some importance!!!!

You live and learn.

a word to vaguely describe a specific in order to gain general advice about something without giving away specifics about it. (Nice sentence, huh?)

Very impressive, I must say - I think it should replace the Google definition!

Smellie

[OldWelshGuy]

Nellie, WE know that the widget is in fact a little plastic thing that goes in the bottom of a can of beer to make it pour properly no more, no less

< AND >

should there be any doubtin your mind, ask your self this question.

Q which is the most important?

a) a word to vaguely describe a specific in order to gain general advice about something without giving away specifics about it.

BEER

well there you go then. beer it is

For clarity, beer can be taken to mean any alcoholic drink supplied in a can.

[daniel]

But only proper beer requires a widget......

[SmellieNellie]

For clarity, beer can be taken to mean any alcoholic drink supplied in a can.

Aha - now we're talking .................................................

My mind was always on the 'beer' - I personally think the term should be reserved for this use and this use alone!

It all started at College when the lecturers started talking about companies selling 'widgets' - coloured ones too!




ROFL! or is it ROFBD??

[Grumpus]

You guys are so lucky. In the U.S. there simply aren't enough widgets in the world to put a proper head on a domestic beer.

G.

[bwelford]

There were movements to replace the word 'widget' by either 'liederhosen' or by 'goat'. However neither managed to pull it off.

[daniel]

There's no way I'd buy beer if it had a goat or some liederhosen in it, even if it did make a good head.

I don't think a goat would fit in a normal can of beer either....

[SmellieNellie]

Ah yes, but it would fit in a barrel!!!!!

[daniel]

Ahh, I see!! That's how they make the heads on draught beer.

You learn something new on this forum every day.