The key difference is their location and function: applets are small programs that display in a system panel, while desklets are small, standalone applications that appear directly on the desktop. Applets often provide panel-based functionality, such as displaying system information or controlling audio, whereas desklets offer on-desktop utilities like clocks, calendars, or weather widgets.
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Location:
Reside in the panel (taskbar) of a desktop environment, like Linux Mint Cinnamon.
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Function:
Provide specific functionalities reflected in the panel, such as managing audio, network status, or calendar views.
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Examples:
A weather applet that shows the forecast or a calendar applet that displays upcoming events in the panel.
- Location: Display directly on the desktop, serving as visual widgets.
- Function: Offer desktop-based features and information, often acting as miniature, one-purpose applications.
- Examples: A clock, a weather display, or a simple RSS feed viewer that sits on the user’s background.
In essence, both are small additions to a desktop environment, but an applet lives on the panel, and a desklet lives on the desktop itself.