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Question

Changing Desktop BackGround on the Fly.

  • January 30, 2013
  • 6 replies
  • 16 views

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We have set it up for a certain user to send out messages to our other users via casper. This user has asked if we can make the message more pronounced by changing the desktop pattern of the end-user until they acknowledge the message, which then returns the desktop to it's original background.

I've figured out how to install a desktop background using a policy, using MCX I can change the pattern, however this only works on log in. Has anyone developed a script or a method to do something like this so its more "Active"?

6 replies

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  • New Contributor
  • February 18, 2014

I agree - If there were an option for "set once per computer" that would be amazing. Back to the searches i go.


bentoms
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  • Hall of Fame
  • February 18, 2014

Which Mac OS?

You can use a AppleScript to set the desktop background.

On 10.9 you can also use a python script.


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  • New Contributor
  • February 18, 2014

You can use a Python script in earlier OS X releases as well. Both AppleScript and Python are calling the same (or a similar) underlying API.

-Greg


bentoms
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  • Hall of Fame
  • February 18, 2014

@gregneagle, I stand corrected.

Was thinking of a python script I saw to edit the SQLite3 db direct.


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  • New Contributor
  • February 18, 2014

Ah. I assumed you were referring to something along these lines:

https://gist.github.com/gregneagle/6957826

or

http://grahamgilbert.com/blog/2013/10/28/setting-a-desktop-picture-in-mavericks/


bentoms
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  • Hall of Fame
  • February 18, 2014

@gregneagle, yep those!

In fact we use your Python script on 10.9 & login.

Pre-10.9 we use MCX.