Day 7 - Google Wallpaper
Whew, the refreshing feeling of writing a killer app when there were really no good ideas floating in the chat room. It was almost 9:30 when someone suggested a wallpaper switcher. This little twist popped into my head and it was all downhill from there.
It took me about 2.5 hours to write, most time chatting once again...
The application allows you to specify any number of keywords (ex. Snow, Disney, Space, etc...), an update interval, and whether or not to use safe search. I made safe search an option to sort out the obvious different intentions of a college dorm user and an office professional.
The application will then randomly pick a keyword, search google images (high quality only), randomly choose an image from the first page of results, and set it as your desktop. It'll then wait for the interval you set and repeat the process.
woot!
Download the app
Download the source
Before someone points out that I didn't use the google API, last I checked there were some limitations on # of searches. I didn't have the time to research and figure out if that changed. However, I left the searching logic in a seperate class so someone could easily just reimplement it if they'd like. I use webscraping, so obviously it could be an issue in the future.
May the source be with you.
34 Comments:
that's handy and cool, man. thanks. keep up good working!
Hey it would be nice to see what keyword is used for the current layout, in that way it's possible to make your keywords better if the results keep being wrong
Hi there...
Nice little app dude !
now I got a suggestion...
Can you make a small app. or actually think a server and client app wich can run on 2 PC's with 2 screens standing next to eachother...
So that 1 pc's mouse and keyboard controll both screens as if they where both monitors on 1 pc where the mouse can roll from 1 to the other screen...
This is usually only possible with 2 screens on 1 pc but would be very cool for those with a secondary pc...
greetz,
Peter Lunk
www.mrlunk.nl
hope you like the idea...
Hmm doesnt work I always get a System.Net.WebException in System.dll
This is awesome - thanks!
This is definately cool.
Might I suggest as a follow-up a screensaver which does the same?
Nice idea, nice app.
I am really enjoying this "series".
Slickr does the keyword-picture-screensaver thing and does it very well.
hmm...
http://lifeofmuff.blogspot.com/2006/09/randomize-your-destop-background.html
also posted today, how strange
This is my favorite app so far. More apps for the general public would be great.
Very slick, tiny, lightweight. But a feature request: perhaps you can add on the system tray icon a right-click option to save the current image to your PC. Would be a great way to build your own wallpaper collection from pure randomness.
Okay, here's the challenge for your next application. Create a software application which will search the world's stockmarkets and retrieve information that can be fed into a spreadsheet automatically which will provide one with the criteria for an investment as defined by Mary Buffett in the book Buffettology. Here the url for a spreadsheet that may help you: http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/cba/finance/smif/buffett.xls.
Also, you may find this book report on Buffettology useful: http://www.bivio.com/crowriver/files/Webpages/buffettology.htm
Lastly, here is the URL for the world's stock markets:
http://www.escapeartist.com/stock/markets.htm
Pull this off and you have something darn useful.
With all good wishes,
Michael Flessas
http://flessas.googlepages.com
Katrineholm Review (blog)
http://katrineholm.blogspot.com
Michael Flessas (blog)
http://michaelflessas.blogspot.com
plz add a feature ... i request you to add a folder in my documents in which it saves all the wallpapers so we can save them as well for future... thanx for this kind work luv u keely virgo
Just like to say... the last several days have been quite impresive.
I was one of the 'nay sayers' and didn't think you could do it...
Keep it up and show us all wrong eh!
Good job.
Great App, I am going to try and change it so it reads the backgrounds from a directory.
Never worked with C# before. :D
Thanks for the program.
hardtarget_x@hotmail.com
Just a feature request:
Can you allow a resolution aspect ratio or preferred size?
Some of the images get really stretched to fit my screen and they look crap...
Any chance you can add screenshots to each post so we know what to expect from each app?
Not to put your effort down, but this was done before.
http://www.tropicalwares.com/wallmast.html
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ce1d596b-6851-4948-ab76-b5ff22d37d69&DisplayLang=en
http://soft.mota.ru/
http://www.caledos.com/lab/Caledos/Caledos.aspx
Or even Webshots client.
Awesome project, awesome programs.
A suggestion. I would like to run non-maximized windows on my desktop, but there is no program that can manage the windows with resizeable cointainers or position and size memory.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Great projects - and good learning tools too.
The downloaded pics won't show on my desktop. Only for a second.
May be its because I am using IE7.
Peter
Hi ...
Nice application !
keep up good work
I've been looking for an aplication that switches my desktop wallpaper based on a RSS feed (obvious an RSS images feed), i mean if the feed post a new image, i want that image on my desktop.
can you?
Has Anyone been able to fix the System.NET.WebException ?
Very cool!
My compliment to you!!!
It says the initialization isn't correct (0xc0000135) - dunno what is it means.
Any ideas?
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/netframework.html
Here's a nice idea!
I remember seeing this a few years ago, but can't find it anymore.
Imagine the possibility to have a software that from time to time take screenshots of your PC and share it with other users via screensaver.
I think it could be cool!
Peter Lunk....there is a program that does that already....its called synergy.
http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/
pretty nice program that will allow you to use one keyboard and mouse to control two different pcs without being connected via kvm.
i installed it twice as it didnt tell me it was installed the 1st time, so is ther a way to uninstall it as i have 2 icons in my system tray
email: jamboni123@hotmail.com
...or does it just run, not install?
GREAT APP!
Now, all it needs is the ability to save your option settings / keywords so they automatically are set when you start the app. again. As is stands, the save feature is only valid while the app is running. When shutdown, the options are reset and keywords are lost.
Please make this slight mod.
Downloaded it and unzipped it, but couldn't install. got a message saying I had to install .net framework or something like that.
+1
same problem, .exe semms to be broken :'(
thx anyway !
Got a few ideas for expansion if anyone cares...
Size selection (Stretch, Center, Tile) in the options area.
Having the info from the picture file returned for current picture file in a textbox (For users to have feedback and to learn better keywords).
Cycling temp files (Incrementation of temp files from 1 to 10 and back to 1.) The user would be able to backtrack and get the pictures.
Conversion of temp files into JPG file formate (less space consuming)
Prefetch next image and wait for time to elapse before implementing (seperate temp file for prefetch)
(My knowledge is too limited to do these, unfortunately...)
I was inspired by this program, and thus created my first C# program: Wallpaper Changer--It changes wallpaper from a directory at a specific interval. It uses a little bit of modified code from this app. It only requires .NET Framework 1.1, because all I have is Visual Studio 2003. By the way, I love all your apps!
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