While I really enjoy the desktop gadget feature of Windows 7, I find it slightly unusable. The purpose of the gadgets I use is to display information at all times. I don’t want the gadgets transparently floating over my current applications, as they interfere with scrollbars and such. I just wanted a sidebar, similar to Google Desktops, or Windows Vista.
Here is a full screenshot:
Here is a URL to install a gadget that acts just like the Windows Vista:
http://nes.bplaced.net/sidebar7.html
enjoy!