Neverside

Funky Desktop Tutorial

Ok here is the tutorial to get your desktop looking similar to this:
http://www.briony.cc/desktop.jpg

Download the source code from:
http://www.briony.cc/desktop/desktop.zip

Extract it all to C:\Desktop (A folder you need to create)

Open up desktop.html with an editor and make the required changes. Don't touch the Javascript unless you know what you are doing. By just looking at it you will see it's pretty easy to get the hang of.

Make required edits to activedesktop.css to make it look the way you want it.

Right click on your desktop - properties - desktop tab - browse - point to desktop.html - apply and ok.

There you have it. Initially when you click links a little security warning will pop up. Just click ok - it usually won't appear again.

All stuff written in notepad will automatically appear in the text file in C:/Desktop.

Oh and customise your wallpaper if you want

Post any problems and/or your new desktop here.

___________________

Originally posted by LadyFirelyght:

I'll be honest, I consider myself to be bi-sexual.

Good for you Truly Unique!!!

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:: Aquify : Desktops ::

Yay! Finally! Thanks.
Now I have something to play with this weekend!

It uses the IE renderer!!
/me runs around while screaming

Uh Oh
/me sees darthy coming his way
/me runs

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Jeremie - Used to be the Director of Community Development

Ok, I downloaded the file. I have opened it with FrontPage, changed my links and whatnot. Now, I would like to customize the links to files, and folders. I see how you have done it, but I don't want to mess up the Java programming. How can I change it?

Another thing... I made a simple background to differ from the default. I saved it under the desktop folder. I then saved the html document, and by desktop turned white. On the preview section of FrontPage, the desktop background that I made appeared there, but not on my actual desktop. What am I doing wrong?

Thats great, got any more like that?

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Moeface.

I wish there was a way for it to call upon another browser DLL. HTML Kit does it, it calls upon the gecko engine from mozilla, but this is using a sophisticated programming language

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irc.efnet.net #neverside
Neverside merchandise!

Last edited by James, November 8th, 2003 12:28 AM (Edited 1 times)

Quote:

Originally posted by Petr0s
Ok, I downloaded the file. I have opened it with FrontPage

That's your first problem. It is highly recommended you do not use an editor like Frontpage as it will have kittens when it sees the div tag.

Ok, say you want to make a link to your Z:/ drive where you keep your music or something. The original code is:

Code:

<a target="_self" onClick=" ShellExJ('P:/')" href="javascript:;">File Server</a>

Just change where it says P:/ to Z:/ and File Server to My Music. It now looks like:

Code:

<a target="_self" onClick=" ShellExJ('Z:/')" href="javascript:;">My Music</a>

(If you delete or add a line, just copy and paste or delete a line of code as above)

ok, now for applications.

Code:

<a target="_self" onClick=" ShellExJ('C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office/OUTLOOK.EXE')"
href="javascript:;">Outlook</a><br>

You can change the path (C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/Office/OUTLOOK.EXE) and the name (Outlook)

So it would be like:

Code:

<a target="_self" onClick=" ShellExJ('C:/path/to/app.exe')" href="javascript:;">App Title</a><br>

With the background, the best thing to do is replace desktop.gif with your own. Furthermore to fully reload your desktop after you make changes:

1. Right click on your desktop - properties - desktop tab - select none and press ok.

2. Right click on your desktop - properties - desktop tab - browse - point to desktop.html - apply and ok.

Final word: I am using WinXP Pro and it works fine. I do not have any crashes or performance issues. If you do have issues, just revert to and old wallaper and delete desktop.html. There is no registry hacks or anything so you can't screw anything up.

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Originally posted by LadyFirelyght:

I'll be honest, I consider myself to be bi-sexual.

I just messed with it a bit more and did what you said. It works!

Great idea... Now I just need to find/make a desktop background worthy of it...

Thanks for your help and great idea.

Awesome Tut!

/me adds to favourites