I’ve been keeping this under wraps, but since I turned in the signed contracts there’s really no turning back. I’m working on a book about Windows Vista Sidebar gadgets. Gadgets are mini-apps that run on on the new Windows Vista desktop and do things like show a local weather report or list news headlines.

The book’s part of a series called Visual Blueprint targeted to technically inclined people looking to learn a new skill. It’s really for people who have put together a few web sites and want to learn how to make interactive gadgets for the Vista desktop. It covers all the basics you need to make a gadget with lots of helpful screen-shots.

It’s going to take up most of my time for the next few months, but I’m really happy to be working on it. I think it’s a great subject — gadgets of all types are really going to change the way people interact with their computer desktop and the web. It’s exciting to help people create their own gadgets.