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change-desktop-XFCE4

Description

This bash script is designed to automatically change the desktop background images on multiple monitors for an XFCE desktop environment. The script uses a configuration file to manage the directories of images for each monitor and employs counters to cycle through the images. The counters are stored in a file and updated periodically to ensure the script resumes from where it left off even after a restart. The script allows specifying a sleep time interval to control how often the background images are changed.

Features

  1. Configuration Management:

    • The script requires a configuration file as an input parameter, which defines directories containing images for each monitor.
    • It verifies the existence of the configuration file before proceeding.

  2. Counter Management:

    • Counters for each monitor are read from a file and are used to track the current image.
    • If the counter file does not exist, counters are initialized to zero.
    • After each image change, counters are incremented and saved back to the file.

  3. Image Cycling:

    • The script cycles through images in the specified directories for each monitor.
    • It ensures the counters loop back to zero after reaching the maximum number of images.

  4. Logging:

    • Logging of key events and state changes is performed to a log file, providing transparency and debugging support.

  5. Background Image Setting:

    • Uses xfconf-query to set the background images for XFCE desktop environment.
    • Sets the style of the background image to "Scaled."

  6. Sleep Interval:

    • The sleep interval between changing images is configurable through a parameter, allowing flexibility in how frequently the backgrounds are updated.

Usage

./change_wallpapers.sh configfile sleeptime
  • configfile: Path to the configuration file containing directories of images for each monitor.
  • sleeptime: Time in seconds to wait before changing the background images again.

Example Configuration File

The configuration file should set environment variables pointing to the directories containing the images:

MONITOR1_DIR="/path/to/monitor1/images"
MONITOR2_DIR="/path/to/monitor2/images"
MONITOR3_DIR="/path/to/monitor3/images"
MONITOR1="monitor1"
MONITOR2="monitor2"
MONITOR3="monitor3"

Dependencies

  • bash
  • xfconf-query (part of XFCE desktop environment)

Script Details

  • Reading and Saving Counters: Functions read_counters and save_counters manage the state of image counters.
  • Incrementing Counters: Function increment_counter ensures counters loop correctly.
  • Changing Wallpapers: Function change_wallpapers updates the background images and logs the changes.
  • Main Loop: The script runs in an infinite loop, changing wallpapers and then sleeping for the specified time interval.

This script provides a robust solution for dynamically managing multiple desktop backgrounds in an XFCE environment, making it ideal for users who enjoy regularly changing their desktop aesthetics.