Introducing the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder

WolframAlpha
13 May 201906:56

TLDRThe Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder allows users to create interactive widgets for blogs or websites. By entering a query like calculating the distance between cities, users can select variables, customize the layout, and choose specific outputs to display. The resulting widget can be easily embedded in any blog or website, enhancing its functionality with the power of Wolfram|Alpha.

Takeaways

  • 🚀 The Widget Builder allows you to integrate Wolfram|Alpha's capabilities into your blog or website.
  • 🔐 You need a Wolfram ID to use the Widget Builder, which can be easily obtained on the Wolfram|Alpha website.
  • 🌐 Creating a widget involves a process similar to making a Wolfram|Alpha query.
  • 📏 An example widget can calculate the distance between two cities, such as Boston and Chicago.
  • 🏙️ The Widget Builder allows you to customize the variables for the cities you're calculating distances for.
  • 🎨 You can personalize the widget's layout, including naming it and adjusting its appearance to match your blog's design.
  • 🔧 The widget can include specific outputs from the Wolfram|Alpha query, like distance and maps.
  • 📤 Once created, the widget can be published and embedded in various platforms, including Blogger.
  • 🌍 The Widget Builder offers numerous pre-made widgets in the gallery that can be easily embedded into blogs or websites.
  • 💡 The power of Wolfram|Alpha widgets enhances the functionality of any website by providing valuable computational tools.

Q & A

  • What is the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder?

    -The Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder is a tool that allows users to integrate the computational knowledge engine's capabilities into their blogs or websites through widgets.

  • How do you access the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder?

    -You can access the Widget Builder by going to the widget builder URL. If you're not logged in, you'll need a Wolfram ID, which can be obtained from the website.

  • What is the process of creating a Wolfram|Alpha widget?

    -To create a widget, you perform a search query in the widget builder similar to a regular Wolfram|Alpha query, select the variables you want to change, customize the layout, and choose the output you want to include in the widget.

  • Can you give an example of a widget created in the script?

    -Yes, an example given in the script is a widget that calculates the distance between any two cities, such as from Boston to Chicago.

  • What variables are highlighted in the example of the distance calculator widget?

    -In the example, the variables highlighted are the cities 'Boston' and 'Chicago', which are the starting and ending points for the distance calculation.

  • How can you customize the layout of the widget?

    -You can customize the layout by naming the widget, adjusting the position of elements like the submit button, and changing the color scheme to match the website's theme.

  • What options are available for customizing the results displayed by the widget?

    -You can choose to include only specific output from the query results, such as the distance and a map, and show the assumptions made in the calculation.

  • How can you publish and share the created widget?

    -After creating the widget, you can publish it to the gallery, where it can be shared or embedded in any website or blog using the provided script.

  • What are the steps to embed a widget in a Blogger blog?

    -To embed a widget in a Blogger blog, you click on the Blogger logo in the widget builder, name the widget, add it to the blog, decide the widget's position in the column, and save the changes.

  • How can you access widgets from the gallery to embed in your blog?

    -You can access top-rated widgets from the gallery with a single click and embed them in your blog or website, such as a calorie calculator widget mentioned in the script.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Widget Builder Introduction and Tutorial

This paragraph introduces the Wolfram Alpha Widget Builder, a tool that allows users to integrate the computational power of Wolfram Alpha into their blogs or websites. The speaker demonstrates the process of creating a widget by logging into the Widget Builder, searching for a query (in this case, calculating the distance between two cities), and customizing the widget's variables and layout. The tutorial covers naming the widget, adjusting its appearance, selecting specific output to display, and finally, publishing the widget to a blog or website. The focus is on ease of use and the powerful capabilities of Wolfram Alpha widgets.

05:00

🌐 Embedding Widgets and Exploring the Gallery

The second paragraph discusses the ease of embedding the newly created or existing widgets into a blog or website. The speaker shares their experience of embedding a 'distance calculator' widget into their blog, emphasizing the value it adds for readers. The paragraph also highlights the availability of numerous widgets in the gallery, such as a calorie calculator, which can be easily embedded with a single click. The speaker encourages users to either build their own widgets or utilize those available in the gallery, showcasing the versatility and potential of Wolfram Alpha widgets to enhance any online platform.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder

The Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder is a tool that enables users to integrate computational knowledge engine capabilities directly into their blogs or websites. It is a significant feature as it allows for dynamic, interactive content that can answer queries and perform calculations. In the video, the Widget Builder is used to create a widget that calculates the distance between cities, demonstrating its utility in providing immediate and relevant information to website visitors.

💡Widget

A widget, in the context of this video, refers to a small application or tool that can be embedded into a website or blog to provide specific functionality. The Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder allows the creation of widgets that harness the computational intelligence of Wolfram|Alpha. The script describes the process of creating a 'distance calculator' widget, which is a practical example of how widgets can add value to a website by offering interactive features to users.

💡Blog

A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically run by an individual or a small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style. In the script, the blog serves as a platform where the Wolfram|Alpha widget is embedded, allowing visitors to interact with the widget and perform tasks such as calculating distances between cities. This integration enhances the blog's interactivity and usefulness to its audience.

💡Variable

In the context of the video, a variable refers to a component within the widget that can be changed by the user. For example, when creating a distance calculator widget, the cities 'Boston' and 'Chicago' are highlighted as variables that the user can modify to calculate the distance between different locations. This flexibility is crucial for the widget's adaptability and user engagement.

💡Customization

Customization in this video refers to the process of tailoring the widget's appearance and functionality to fit the specific needs or aesthetic of the website where it will be embedded. The script describes how the user can change the layout, move elements like the submit button, and choose colors to match the blog's theme. This level of customization ensures that the widget not only functions well but also visually integrates with the host website.

💡Distance Calculator

The distance calculator is a specific type of widget created in the video using the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder. It is designed to calculate and display the distance between two cities, providing users with immediate results. The script demonstrates the creation of this widget, which includes defining variables, customizing the layout, and selecting the output to be displayed to the user.

💡Embed

To embed, in the context of this video, means to incorporate the widget into a blog or website. The script explains the process of embedding the distance calculator widget into a Blogger blog, which involves using a script provided by the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder. This process allows the blog to offer additional functionality to its visitors without requiring them to leave the site to perform calculations.

💡Gallery

The gallery mentioned in the script refers to a collection of pre-built widgets available for use. These widgets, such as a calorie calculator mentioned in the video, can be selected and embedded into a blog or website with a single click. The gallery serves as a resource for users who may not wish to create their own widgets but still want to leverage the power of Wolfram|Alpha on their sites.

💡Publish

Publishing, in the context of the video, is the final step in making the widget available for others to use. After creating and customizing the widget, the user can publish it to the gallery, making it accessible to others. This action not only shares the widget but also contributes to the community of Wolfram|Alpha users by adding to the available resources.

💡Script

In the video, a script refers to the code provided by the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder that allows the widget to be embedded into a website or blog. The script is a crucial component for the embedding process, as it contains the necessary instructions for the widget to function correctly within the host site's framework.

Highlights

Introducing the Wolfram|Alpha Widget Builder.

The Widget Builder lets you bring the power of Wolfram|Alpha right into your blog or website.

To start, you need to go to the Widget Builder URL and log in with a Wolfram ID.

Creating a Wolfram|Alpha widget is similar to making a query on Wolfram|Alpha.

Example: Creating a widget to calculate the distance between any two cities.

Highlight the variable parts of the query, such as 'Boston' and 'Chicago'.

Change the display labels to make it clear which cities are being used.

Customize the layout and give the widget a name, like 'Distance Calculator'.

You can adjust the layout, such as moving the submit button or changing the background color.

Customize the results by including specific outputs like the distance and a map.

Publish the widget with a name, category, and description.

Widgets can be embedded in blogs or websites using provided scripts.

For Blogger users, embedding a widget is straightforward and can be done directly.

The widget enhances the blog by allowing users to calculate distances between cities.

Widgets can add value to various types of websites and blogs.

There are many pre-made widgets available in the Wolfram|Alpha gallery.

Widgets like calorie calculators can be embedded with a single click.

The Widget Builder opens up new possibilities for integrating Wolfram|Alpha into the web.