Desktop slide show

Ch3tan · Apr 4, 2005

I want to have my wallpaper change periodically from a selection of my images.

Any reccomendations?

Funkybunny · Apr 4, 2005

yes... dont.. most programs like that are stuffed with spyware

Jonty · Apr 4, 2005

Hi Ch3tan

What kind of time period are we talking about? If it's a few second/minutes then I could probably code something using ActiveDesktop. If not, give Google a try, but Funkybunny is right, there are some dodgy apps about so be careful where you download such things from.

Kind Regards

Ch3tan · Apr 4, 2005

Yeah, I didnt want anything that would bloat my system to hell. I was thinking a new image every hour or so -and something I could disable while gaming. If you could code something that would do that then I would be a happy bunny indeed.

itcheh · Apr 4, 2005

If memory serves me correctly - if you have XP and Paint Shop Pro v8 installed (mine was pre-installed when I bought my PC) there's a drop-down option in the screen saver selection window called Paintshoppro gallery which might do the trick.

TBH never really looked at it so I'm not sure where it takes the images from - probably some PSP directory somewhere ... go have a looksee

I don't have this at work so I can't see it but will double check when I get home tonight.

.Wilier. · Apr 4, 2005

If you right click the desktop in XP, goto "properties" then go to screensaver, you can select "My Pictures slideshow" and select whatever settings you desire.

This will cycle through the images within the My Pictures folder of your documents..

Funkybunny · Apr 4, 2005

.Wilier. said:
If you right click the desktop in XP, goto "properties" then go to screensaver, you can select "My Pictures slideshow" and select whatever settings you desire.

This will cycle through the images within the My Pictures folder of your documents..

he wants desktop background, not screensaver

Embattle · Apr 4, 2005

http://www.hellstriangles.com/wallpaperchanger/

.Wilier. · Apr 4, 2005

Funkybunny said:
he wants desktop background, not screensaver

OK, ignore me then.

Jonty · Apr 4, 2005

Hi Ch3tan

Okay, my apologies, this is very rough and ready. It took but a few minutes to write but ages to get XP's security measures to play ball.

Copy the code below into a blank text document (using Notepad, say) and save as a file with a '.html' prefix (e.g. wallpaper.html) in the folder containing the images you wish to cycle through.

Code:

<!-- saved from url=(0014)about:internet -->
<html xml:lang="en-gb" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
  <title>Ch3tan's Wallpaper</title>

  <style type="text/css">
  /* Begin Style Configuration */

  body
  {
    background:black no-repeat center center;
    color:white;
    font:11px verdana,sans-serif;
    text-align:right;
  }

  /* End Style Configuration */
  </style>

  <script type="text/javascript">
  /* Begin Script Configuration */

  // Define the interval between each wallpaper alternation in seconds
  interval = 3600;

  // Define the images
  images = new Array(
    "abc.jpg",
    "123.jpg"
  );

  /* End Script Configuration */

  function alternate_wallpaper (status)
  {
    // Start or stop the wallpaper alternation
    if (status == "change")
    {
      // Stop
      if (repeat) {
        window.clearTimeout(repeat);
        repeat = null;
      // Start
      } else {
        repeat = setTimeout("alternate_wallpaper()", interval*1000);
      }
    }
    // Alternate the wallpaper
    else
    {
      // Define the page background
      background = document.getElementsByTagName("body").item(0);

      // Choose a wallpaper at random
      wallpaper = images[ Math.round(Math.random() * (images.length - 1)) ];

      // Apply the wallpaper
      background.style.backgroundImage = "url(" + wallpaper + ")";

      // Repeat the wallpaper alternation
      repeat = setTimeout("alternate_wallpaper()", interval*1000);
    }
  }

  // Actuate the wallpaper alternation when the page loads
  window.onload = alternate_wallpaper;
  </script>
</head>

<body>

<a onclick="alternate_wallpaper('change')" style="cursor:pointer">Start/Stop</a>

</body>
</html>

The page can be customised in two ways. Firstly, the look of the page can be altered using the style properties near the top (just ask if you need help). By default the images are centred on the page which has a black background and white text.

The second customisation option is to do with the script. You can later the interval at which the images alternate (e.g. 3600 seconds is an hour). The second vital part is adding your images to the 'images' array. Basically, just add new lines with the file names of the images you want to cycle through, e.g.
Code:
```
images = new Array(
"abc.jpg",
"subfolder/123.png",
"../xyz.gif"
);
```
Note three important things. Firstly, each file name is enclosed in quotes. Secondly, each line ends with a comma, except the last line. Thirdly, the file names are relative to the location of our HTML file (so 'abc.jpg' is in the same folder as our HTML file, '123.png' is in a subfolder called 'subfolder', and 'xyz.gif' is in the folder above our HTML file). If you have any questions just shout.
With the HTML file configured correctly, right click on your desktop and choose 'Properties'.
In the new window click the 'Desktop' tab then click on the 'Customize Desktop' button.
In the new window click on the 'Web' tab then press the 'New' button and browse for our HTML file.
Press Okay until you are returned to the desktop then resize the active content window accordingly.

In order for it to work you must have at least one icon on your desktop. Anyway, use it or don't, I'm sure there are more elegant solutions out there

Those who do use it, enjoy it, just don't try to pass it off as your own, receive renumeration for it, or use it in conjunction with any illegal or immoral activities.

Kind Regards

Ch3tan · Apr 4, 2005

Cheers Jonty, will give it a try later on today. Thanks for your time.

Desktop slide show

Ch3tan

I aer teh win!!

Funkybunny

Banned

Jonty

Fledgling Freddie

Ch3tan

I aer teh win!!

itcheh

Part of the furniture

.Wilier.

One of Freddy's beloved

Funkybunny

Banned

Embattle

FH is my second home

.Wilier.

One of Freddy's beloved

Jonty

Fledgling Freddie

Ch3tan

I aer teh win!!

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