Bug 3910 – Allow transparent desktop (wallpaper)

Bug 3910 - Allow transparent desktop (wallpaper)


Summary:	Allow transparent desktop (wallpaper)

Status:	RESOLVED FIXED

Product:	Desktop platform
Component:	Home
Version:	5.0/(2.2009.51-1)
Platform:	All Maemo

Importance:	Low enhancement (vote)
Target Milestone:	5.0/(10.2010.19-1)
Assigned To:	unassigned
QA Contact:	home-bugs

URL:
Keywords:

Depends on:
Blocks:
	Show dependency tree

Reported:	2008-12-03 22:27 UTC by Alan Bruce
Modified:	2010-03-16 19:37 UTC (History)
CC List:	3 users (show)

See Also:

Attachments
Add an attachment (proposed patch, testcase, etc.)

Note

You need to log in before you can comment on or make changes to this bug.

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);