Tuesday, September 23, 2008

HOW TO set different wallpapers on each workspace in Ubuntu

I always wondered if it is possible to have different wallpapers on different workspaces in Ubuntu using GNOME just as it is possible using KDE. In tried out many tips given on different forums like installing a separate package called wallpapoz to do it or fiddling around with nautilus which often resulted in giving black screens... but the best method to have different wallpapers on different workspaces i found is the following ...best because it is really easy to follow and also as easy to revert back if u don't like it... so it goes like this...

A few things to note before we start:
  • You have Ubuntu 8.04 running. (Though it should work with earlier versions as well. But I haven’t tried it.)
  • You have installed Compiz Config Settings Manager. Check under System ->Preferences if Advanced Desktop Effect Setting/Compiz Config Settings Manager is there.
  • It would be better if you have Avant Window Navigator and screenlets/desklets installed. (that would virtually eliminate the need for icons which u wont be able have after making the following changes.. PS: desktop looks better without icons and with these widgets n all)

Now just follow the following steps:

  1. Go under System> Preferences> Advanced Desktop Settings/Compiz Config Settings Manager
  2. Select Desktop Cube >Appearance> Background images or Wallpaper in the latest version earlier versionlatest version
  3. Click New under background images and add all the images you want as background.
  4. Alt + F2 to launch the Run Terminal.
  5. Type in gconf-editor and press enter..
  6. Go under apps > nautilus > preferences
  7. Deselect ‘Show Desktop’.

yoyo..That’s it. Now just check out all the workspaces.

Important:
You will notice that you can’t right-click on the desktop and all the desktop shortcuts are no more there. But don’t worry they are not gone. You will have to go under Places > Desktop to see all the things you had on d original desktop. This is one thing you will have to sacrifice if you want to have different wallpapers on each workspace but as i pointed out earlier that if you have enabled Avant Window Navigator and screenlets, u will not miss them....

\m/ Enjoy different wallpapers on all your workspaces. \m/

If you have followed this post do write in your comments and send in screenshots of your desktops with different wallpapers..

4 comments:

Sander said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sander said...

This should be solved with Ubuntu 9.04, they're working on it.

http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/93/

Unknown said...

Ths worked perfectly. Linux newb and i would never have figured that out. Thanks

Mold Removal said...

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing these.