Bug 3910

Summary:	Allow transparent desktop (wallpaper)
Product:	[Maemo Official Platform] Desktop platform	Reporter:	Alan Bruce <mr_abruce>
Component:	Home	Assignee:	unassigned <nobody>
Status:	RESOLVED FIXED	QA Contact:	home-bugs
Severity:	enhancement
Priority:	Low	CC:	andre_klapper, quim.gil, urho.konttori
Version:	5.0/(2.2009.51-1)
Target Milestone:	5.0/(10.2010.19-1)
Hardware:	All
OS:	Maemo

Description Alan Bruce (reporter) maemo.org

2008-12-03 22:27:33 UTC

The hildon desktop manages its own wallpaper, and supplies no method of viewing
the root window or of using another wallpaper manager.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM:
Use an application like hsetroot to change the appearance of the root window.
(http://thegraveyard.org/hsetroot.php)

EXPECTED OUTCOME:
Image on root window (root window wallpaper) can be made visible on Hildon
desktop.

ACTUAL OUTCOME:
There is no way in Hildon Desktop to disable the built-in desktop wallpaper, or
to make the desktop transparent to the root window without also making the
applets transparent.

WORKAROUND:
A partly-successful workaround using xcompmgr and transset-df can be found
here:
http://internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=246465#post246465

Comment 1 Andre Klapper maemo.org

2008-12-04 12:21:36 UTC

Won't happen for Diablo, but maybe for Fremantle.

Comment 2 Andre Klapper maemo.org

2010-02-04 11:40:34 UTC

qole, is this still a valid issue in Maemo5?

Comment 3 Alan Bruce (reporter) maemo.org

2010-02-05 06:36:04 UTC

Andre, unless specifically told how to do so by a Maemo developer, I assume I
can't use the root X background as a wallpaper...

In fact, with four desktops, I suspect that there's even less likelihood of
Maemo exposing the root X background.

But I sure would like it! It would allow for animated wallpapers, etc...

Comment 4 Alan Bruce (reporter) maemo.org

2010-03-04 01:09:04 UTC

Could a transparent desktop background be done as part of the enhancement
mentioned below?

http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=544861#post544861

konttori:
> Umm... We are working on it  (the support for live wallpapers).
>
> It's going to allow any window (even xv) to be either in front (with 
> transparency) or in the background of the home screen. you will also receive 
> clicks. So, you can develop now and when we release the support, you can convert 
> your window to be a live wallpaper pretty quickly. Happy hacking!

Comment 5 Urho Konttori 2010-03-12 10:16:23 UTC

Yes, this live homescreen will 'fix' this bug. Will be available in pr1.2. 

We'll be adding examples soon. 
XInternAtom (display, "_HILDON_LIVE_DESKTOP_BACKGROUND", False);