Mac OS X 10.4.x: Keeping Widgets on the Desktop when Dashboard is inactive

Several MacFixIt readers have recently inquired about keeping Widgets persistent when Mac OS X 10.4.x's Dashboard is not active.

MacFixIt reader Wayne Bennett asks:

"I am looking for a way to make Widgets stay on the desktop, without invoking the Dashboard. I have tried dragging the Widget from the Dashboard and re-pressing F12 then dropping the widget. When this is done, the Widget remains on the Desktop until I hit F12 again, then the previously permanent Widgets loses its ability to remain on the desktop. In other words, dismissing the widgets by again pressing F12 removes the previously visible widget."

Keeping Widgets on the Desktop despite the open or closed status of Dashboard can be accomplished through enabling Dashboard developer mode by opening the Terminal application (located in Applications/Utilities) and typing the following command:

• defaults write com.apple.dashboard devmode YES

followed by the return key.

You may need to log out then back in, or simply restart your Mac after entering this command.

Now when you drag a Widget from the Dashboard bay into the active area it will remain on the desktop after Dashboard is de-activated, floating on top of other windows.

You can remove the persistent Widget by holding down the option key while you drag the cursor over the Widget's space. The familiar "X" will appear, allowing you to close the Widget from its permanent state.

Alternatively, you can use the shareware utility Amnesty. According to the developer, "Widgets loaded in Amnesty Widget Browser run completely outside of Apple's Dashboard environment, maintain their own preferences and feature expanded capabilities such as adjustable window level (desktop, standard or floating) and opacity. Widgets can also be arranged into multiple virtual workspaces that can be called to the screen at any time."

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