Kimm
September 10th, 2007, 02:55 PM
I have recently started to look for ways to decrease memory usage on my computer (I'm a bit low on RAM). One thing that I have done is replace xfdesktop with feh.
The only thing that I found was missing when I did this, was a simple way to change my wallpaper, so I wrote a small (DE-independent) app and two scripts do do this for me.
Since I think this app would be perfect for people like me, or people using light DEs/WMs, I decided to share it with you :)
Also: This will not effect memory usage (only when you have the "wallpaper chooser" running)
Step 1:
Download: liten_0.1-1_i386.deb (see attachment) and install using:
sudo dpkg -i liten_0.1-1_i386.deb
Only requirements are libqt4-gui and feh.
Step 2:
You must make feh set your wallpaper automatically when you login (so that you dont have to do it manually). Depending on which DE/WM you are using, you have to do this differently.
The only thing you have to do, is ensure that the command:
minst
is executed as your DE/WM starts up. In XFCE you would do it this way:
Applications (XFCE Menu) -> Settings -> Autostarted Applications -> Add -> (set name and description to whatever you like) -> Command: minst
After this is done, liten will remember your last wallpaper, and apply it automatically when you login.
Step 3:
Make a launcher somewhere on your desktop that executes the command:
liten
This is the actual "wallpaper-chooser".
Volontary Step (File manager integration):
Another little advantage in using this method to set your wallpaper, is that it is easily integrated into file managers with custom actions, such as Thunar or Nautilus (Konqueror?). This is done using a helper script for liten (called: mindre)
In Nautilus:
open gedit and type:
#!/bin/bash
mindre $*
Then save as ~/.gnome2/nautilus-scripts/wallpaper.sh and run:
chmod +x ~/.gnome2/nautilus-scripts/wallpaper.sh
Then, rightclick on an image in nautilus, then select: scripts->wallpaper.sh
This will set the wallpaper to that image
In Thunar:
Edit->Configure Custom Actions -> + (add) -> Name: Set wallpaper -> Command: mindre %f -> (set the icon to whatever you want) -> Appearance Conditions -> Image Files (make sure this is the only thing checked)
Then rightclick on an image and select: Set wallpaper
Control using terminal:
If you refuse to use a filemanager, or liten you can use the terminal to set your background:
mindre <path to file>
Note:
No mather which method you use to set the wallpaper, liten will always remember which one you used last and apply it when you login.
If you want changes to the list saved, you must click on "Exit" when you close the application
Trivia:
Just thought I'd note: all names are swedish and mean:
Liten = Small
Mindre (invisible helper-script): Smaller
Minst = Smallest
The only thing that I found was missing when I did this, was a simple way to change my wallpaper, so I wrote a small (DE-independent) app and two scripts do do this for me.
Since I think this app would be perfect for people like me, or people using light DEs/WMs, I decided to share it with you :)
Also: This will not effect memory usage (only when you have the "wallpaper chooser" running)
Step 1:
Download: liten_0.1-1_i386.deb (see attachment) and install using:
sudo dpkg -i liten_0.1-1_i386.deb
Only requirements are libqt4-gui and feh.
Step 2:
You must make feh set your wallpaper automatically when you login (so that you dont have to do it manually). Depending on which DE/WM you are using, you have to do this differently.
The only thing you have to do, is ensure that the command:
minst
is executed as your DE/WM starts up. In XFCE you would do it this way:
Applications (XFCE Menu) -> Settings -> Autostarted Applications -> Add -> (set name and description to whatever you like) -> Command: minst
After this is done, liten will remember your last wallpaper, and apply it automatically when you login.
Step 3:
Make a launcher somewhere on your desktop that executes the command:
liten
This is the actual "wallpaper-chooser".
Volontary Step (File manager integration):
Another little advantage in using this method to set your wallpaper, is that it is easily integrated into file managers with custom actions, such as Thunar or Nautilus (Konqueror?). This is done using a helper script for liten (called: mindre)
In Nautilus:
open gedit and type:
#!/bin/bash
mindre $*
Then save as ~/.gnome2/nautilus-scripts/wallpaper.sh and run:
chmod +x ~/.gnome2/nautilus-scripts/wallpaper.sh
Then, rightclick on an image in nautilus, then select: scripts->wallpaper.sh
This will set the wallpaper to that image
In Thunar:
Edit->Configure Custom Actions -> + (add) -> Name: Set wallpaper -> Command: mindre %f -> (set the icon to whatever you want) -> Appearance Conditions -> Image Files (make sure this is the only thing checked)
Then rightclick on an image and select: Set wallpaper
Control using terminal:
If you refuse to use a filemanager, or liten you can use the terminal to set your background:
mindre <path to file>
Note:
No mather which method you use to set the wallpaper, liten will always remember which one you used last and apply it when you login.
If you want changes to the list saved, you must click on "Exit" when you close the application
Trivia:
Just thought I'd note: all names are swedish and mean:
Liten = Small
Mindre (invisible helper-script): Smaller
Minst = Smallest