Frequently asked questions
- What is a widget?
- Will Yahoo! Widgets work on my computer?
- How do I install a Kaiser Permanente widget on my computer?
- Why do I have to download and install a separate application to run these widgets?
- What should I do with the security dialog box that appears the first time I run a new widget?
- Where can I get more widgets?
- How do I start the Yahoo! Widgets program?
- How do I close the Yahoo! Widgets program?
- What is the widget dock?
- How do I open and close the widget dock?
- How do I use the widget dock?
- What is the Heads Up Display mode?
- What are preferences in Yahoo! Widgets?
- How is the information in the widgets updated?
- How will I know if there has been an update to one of my Kaiser Permanente widgets?
- Can I run multiple copies of the same widget at the same time?
- How do I share a Kaiser Permanente widget with a friend?
- Is it safe to run the Yahoo! Widgets program?
- Why is the Yahoo! Widgets program asking for my Yahoo! ID and password?
- Are the widgets secure?
- Do the Kaiser Permanente widgets contain spyware?
- What does it mean when I see a message that says a widget has changed?
- Where can I get help with using the Yahoo! Widgets program?
- Where can I get help with using a particular Kaiser Permanente widget?
- How do I remove a widget?
- How do I remove the Yahoo! Widgets program from my computer?
Getting started
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What is a widget?
A widget is a small desktop application that runs on your Windows or Macintosh computer and that usually has a very specific function or purpose. For example, you might choose a widget that displays the current weather forecast. Kaiser Permanente’s Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator widget shows you how much exercise you need in order to burn off the calories in certain snacks.
Many of the most popular widgets, including the Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator, run on the Yahoo! Widgets program. You can download this program for free at: http://widgets.yahoo.com/download
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Will Yahoo! Widgets work on my computer?
Yahoo! Widgets and the Yahoo! Widgets program work on most Windows and Macintosh computers, including:
- Microsoft Vista
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Microsoft Windows 2000
- Mac OS X 10.3 or later
Installing widgets
How do I install a Kaiser Permanente widget on my computer?
1) Get the Yahoo! Widgets program
Before you can use a widget on your computer, you must first install the Yahoo! Widgets program. To download the program free of charge, visit: http://widgets.yahoo.com/download
Depending on whether your browser is JAVA-enabled or not, you will need to follow either the Java-assisted or the manual installation.
JAVA-Assisted Installation
i. On the right-hand window, click the orange button that reads "Get Started Now."
ii. On the same right-hand window, you will then be asked whether you want to "Install Widget Start Pack?" Select "Continue."
iii. A Yahoo! Widgets window will pop up on your screen. You will need to read through and accept the Customer Licensing Agreement. Click "Accept."
iv. The Yahoo! Widgets program is now installed, and Yahoo! Widgets will automatically launch onto your desktop.
Manual Installation
i. On the right-hand window, click the orange button that reads "Get Started Now."
ii. A window will pop up featuring installation instructions. Click on "Start Install."
iii. A system window will open and request that you accept the download of the application. Click "Save File." Note: You may have to wait a moment before this button is clickable while the site prepares the file for download.
iv. The file is now saved to your desktop, where you need to double-click the file icon in order to commence the installation.
v. A setup window will open with a welcome message. Click on "Next."
vi. In the next screen, you will be instructed to begin installation by clicking "Install." The program also gives you the option of setting your default homepage to yahoo.com and your default search engine to Yahoo! You are not required to select those options in order to successfully install the Yahoo! Widgets program.
vii. Installation may take several minutes, and a progress bar will visually indicate how far the installation has progressed.
viii. Once installation is complete, click the "Close" button and Yahoo! Widgets will automatically launch onto your desktop.
2) Download the Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator widget
After the Yahoo! Widgets program is installed, you are ready to download the Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator widget by returning to the Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator page on kp.org/widgets and clicking the "Download" button under Step 2.
A File Download window will open to confirm that you want to download the Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator. Click "Open." Note: You may have to wait a moment before this button is clickable while the site prepares the file for download.
Immediately an Installation window will open up. Click on "Use widget" and the Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator will be added to your Yahoo! Widgets dock.
The Burn It Off! Fitness Calculator will prompt you for your weight, so that it can correctly convert your chosen snacks into a quantity of activity. Enter your weight and click "OK."
Why do I have to download and install a separate application to run these widgets?
The widgets are like small power tools. The Yahoo! Widgets program is like the electricity that makes all the different power tools work. Installing the Yahoo! Widgets program is like wiring your computer with electricity. As soon as that installation is complete, you can download and start using widgets immediately.
What should I do with the security dialog box that appears the first time I run a new widget?
The first time that a new widget is launched on your computer, a dialog box will appear to inform you about the function of the widget and how it can affect your computer. Review the contents of the dialog box carefully to familiarize yourself with the widget’s capabilities. If you are comfortable with the allowed actions and you have downloaded the widget from a trusted source, indicate that you do indeed want to run the widget.
Where can I get more widgets?
In the coming months, Kaiser Permanente will introduce more widgets to help you reach your total health goals. Visit kp.org/widgets often to check for new releases.
Using widgets
How do I start the Yahoo! Widgets program?
In Microsoft Windows, go to your Start menu and choose "Programs." Then choose "Yahoo! Widgets" from the list to start the Yahoo! Widgets program.
On a Mac, open the Applications folder and double-click "Yahoo! Widgets" to start the Yahoo! Widgets Engine.
How do I close the Yahoo! Widgets program?
In Microsoft Windows, choose "Exit Yahoo! Widgets" from the gear menu in the widget dock or system tray.
On a Mac, select "Quit Yahoo! Widgets" from the gear menu in the widget dock or menu bar.
What is the widget dock?
The widget dock is basically your home base for all widget activities. At a glance, the icons in the widget dock tell you which widgets are active and, in some cases, actually provide up-to-date information relevant to that particular widget (such as a weather widget that displays the current temperature). The dock gives you access to the Yahoo! Widgets program action menu through the gear menu, as well as one-click access to the Yahoo! Search widget, Heads Up Display mode button.
The widget dock can be located at the top, bottom, left, or right side of your desktop. It can be configured to show only the widgets that are currently running or all of the widgets installed on your computer.
How do I open and close the widget dock?
In Microsoft Windows, choose "Open Dock" from the gear menu in the system tray to display the dock on your desktop. To close the dock, choose "Close Dock" from the gear menu in the widget dock or system tray.
On a Mac, choose "Open Dock" from the gear menu in the menu bar to enable the dock. To close the dock, choose "Close Dock" from the gear menu in the widget dock or menu bar.
How do I use the widget dock?
The widget dock is designed to help you easily manage and access your widgets. To see icons for all the widgets installed on your computer, click the "+" sign at the edge of the widget dock to expand the dock.
When the dock is expanded, widgets that are installed but not currently running are represented by gray-toned widget icons. Mouse-over each icon to see the name of the widget and click on the icon to start that widget. You can click (right click on Windows or command-click on the Mac) on the icon for any widget that is running and select "Close widget" to make that widget inactive.
Move your mouse over any full-color widget icon in the widget dock to access two additional controls specific to that widget. The "x" button will close the widget (causing it to disappear from your desktop, but not the widget dock). The gear button displayed on the colored widget icon will bring up the preferences for that widget.
To specify where the widget dock should be located on your desktop, choose "Preferences" from the gear menu in the widget dock or system tray (or menu bar). To bring all the widgets that are currently running on your computer to the forefront, click the "((o))" button at the end of the widget dock. (Click anywhere on the background to return to your standard desktop display.)
What is the Heads Up Display mode?
The Heads Up Display mode temporarily brings all of your active widgets to the forefront and causes other active applications to fade into the background. Click the "((o))" button at the end of the widget dock to launch Heads Up Display mode. Click anywhere on the background to return to your standard desktop display.
What are preferences in Yahoo! Widgets?
Preferences are widget settings that help determine how the Yahoo! Widgets program performs. For example, you can specify the location of the dock on your computer screen and choose whether Yahoo! Widgets program should automatically start whenever you turn on your computer. Additionally, each individual widget will also have its own preferences that allow you to customize the use of that particular widget.
To access preferences for the Yahoo! Widgets program:
In Microsoft Windows, choose "Preferences" from the gear menu in the widget dock or system tray.
On a Mac, select "Preferences" from the gear menu in the widget dock or menu bar.
To access preferences for a particular widget, click the gear button displayed on the colored widget icon in the widget dock.
How is the information in the widgets updated?
Each widget is unique, but, in general, the information in the widgets is updated automatically in the background when you are connected to the Internet. For example, the Yahoo! Weather widget automatically downloads weather details on a consistent basis, so that each time you glance at the widget it will display the most current information. While many widgets require that you be connected to the Internet at all times, some will work even if you don’t have an Internet connection.
How will I know if there has been an update to one of my Kaiser Permanente widgets?
When a new version of your Kaiser Permanente widget becomes available, you will receive a notice once you launch the widget. When you agree to get the new version of the widget, your default web browser will launch and load the kp.org/widgets page. Remove the current version of your widget and then click on the download button. Follow the on-screen steps to install the new version of the widget.
Can I run multiple copies of the same widget at the same time?
Yes. First, make a copy of the original widget and give it a different name. Then you can open up that second copy and run it alongside the original widget.
How do I share a Kaiser Permanente widget with a friend?
To share a Kaiser Permanente widget with a friend, click the “Share with a friend” link on that widget. Your e-mail program (e.g., MS Outlook) will automatically open, and you will be able to enter your friend’s e-mail address and compose an e-mail to tell them about the Kaiser Permanente widget.
Security
Is it safe to run the Yahoo! Widgets program?
By itself, the Yahoo! Widgets program will not slow down your computer or expose your data to the world. It is possible, however, that a particular widget that you choose to download could do that.
The Yahoo! Widgets program will try to protect your computer from risky widgets by issuing security warnings and other announcements to help make sure you understand the capabilities of the widgets you download. But widgets can be built and distributed by anyone, so we strongly recommend that you only download widgets from places that you trust.
Why is the Yahoo! Widgets program asking for my Yahoo! ID and password?
Some widgets are designed to access Yahoo! services that require you to provide your Yahoo! username and password. (For example, the Yahoo! Notepad widget might request your Yahoo! ID and password in order to access your online Notepad information.)
The Yahoo! Widgets program displays a warning when a widget that was not built by Yahoo! asks for login details. Carefully review the services that the widget will be accessing to decide if you are comfortable giving permission for the widget to continue.
Are the widgets secure?
Each widget is a small piece of software that you download and install on your computer. Most are very secure and should not cause problems. However, if you choose to download a widget from an unknown source, it could cause problems. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you only download widgets from places that you trust.
Kaiser Permanente is committed to protecting the privacy of the users of this Web site and our widgets. For more information about how we will use and disclose the information you provide us, visit our Web Site Privacy Statement https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/privacystate/entrypage.do
Do the Kaiser Permanente widgets contain spyware?
No. The Kaiser Permanente widget downloaded from our official Web site is free of spyware and malware. (Spyware and malware are computer programs that are installed on your personal computer without your knowledge or consent and which can take partial or full control over your interaction with your personal computer.)
Our widget will access the Internet only to obtain updated content and to check to see if a new version of the widget is available. Our widget does not contain anything harmful to your computer, nor do they share any personal data other than what is required to access the Internet.
What does it mean when I see a message that says a widget has changed?
For security reasons, the Yahoo! Widgets program very carefully monitors each widget every time it is run to make sure that nothing has altered it. The most common reason that a message is displayed that a widget has been changed is that you have downloaded a new version of the widget.
If you see this alert after you have just downloaded a new version of this widget, you can feel comfortable accepting the change. However, if you receive this warning message at a time when you have not recently downloaded a new version of the widget, press the "Deny" button and remove the widget from your system.
Troubleshooting
Where can I get help with using the Yahoo! Widgets program?
For help with using the Yahoo! Widgets program, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/widgets/
Where can I get help with using a particular Kaiser Permanente widget?
For help with our widget, please visit: kp.org/widgets
Removing widgets
How do I remove a widget?
You can delete a widget from your computer by dragging the widget icon from your desktop to the trash. Or if you are using Microsoft Windows, you can remove a widget by right-clicking on the widget icon in the widget dock and choosing "Delete widget." If you are using a Mac, command-click the widget icon in the widget dock and choose "Delete widget."
How do I remove the Yahoo! Widgets program from my computer?
On Microsoft Windows, follow these steps to uninstall the widget program:
Mouse-over your start menu and click on Control Panel.
Open "Add or Remove Programs" (or "Programs and Features").
Scroll down to "Yahoo! Widgets" and click "Remove."
Restart your computer.
On an Apple Macintosh computer, follow these steps to uninstall the widget program:
Choose "Quit Yahoo! Widgets" from the gear icon in the widget dock or menu bar.
Open the Applications folder and delete the "Yahoo! Widgets" icon.
Open the Documents folder and delete "widgets" folder.
If the Yahoo! Widgets program was scheduled to run each time the computer rebooted, open the "Accounts" System preference panel, click on "Startup Items" (or "Login Items"), select "Yahoo! Widgets", and press the subtract (minus) button below the list.