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Every default macOS wallpaper

512pixels.net

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Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#51

Post by nullhole »

danans wrote: post #49

Tangentially, I find wallpaper to be fascinating as it's one of the few aspects of desktop UX that is basically still 100% open to self-expression. For functional reasons, every other desktop UI surface has converged with only a few minor variations. But the static desktop OS background - perhaps because it has no inherent functional purpose and remains covered most of the time - remains as a canvas.

> the static desktop OS background

Eons ago, there was a (paid) 3rd-party program for MacOS Classic that would give you a slideshow desktop background. The images were of the Golden Gate bridge, and were a timelapse over the course of a day. The changes were (afair) synced to your local solar time, so 'sunset' in the desktop background would line up with your local sunset.

I'd have to search to find the name of the program, but I kind of wish I had it back.

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#52

Post by [deleted] »

Theodores wrote: post #24

Even if you never use Apple Veblen Goods and have no idea how to use the funny keyboard, mouse and interface that defines Mac OSX, these desktop wallpapers are very familiar. This is remarkable because Apple is supposed to be about individuality. Changing the wallpaper could be two clicks away yet most Apple users stay with the stock wallpaper. I think they are focused on work rather than tinkering, with everyone hap…

[deleted]

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#54

Post by [deleted] »

Theodores wrote: post #24

Even if you never use Apple Veblen Goods and have no idea how to use the funny keyboard, mouse and interface that defines Mac OSX, these desktop wallpapers are very familiar. This is remarkable because Apple is supposed to be about individuality. Changing the wallpaper could be two clicks away yet most Apple users stay with the stock wallpaper. I think they are focused on work rather than tinkering, with everyone hap…

[deleted]

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#55

Post by pimlottc »

rgovostes wrote: post #29
ChrisMarshallNY wrote: post #8

The one that mystifies me, is why Apple pulled their original Dubai At Night screensaver[0]. [0] https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=766810966790684 (This seems to be the only place to find it online).

I was in a room of Apple TV engineers when the screensaver of I-110 in LA came on. Everyone agreed that it caused mild anxiety. I'm glad I don't see it in the rotation anymore. https://bzamayo.com/watch-all-the-apple-tv-aerial-video-scre...

The videos on this page don't work for me (tried Chrome and Firefox)

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#56

Post by dylan604 »

nullhole wrote: post #51
danans wrote: post #49

Tangentially, I find wallpaper to be fascinating as it's one of the few aspects of desktop UX that is basically still 100% open to self-expression. For functional reasons, every other desktop UI surface has converged with only a few minor variations. But the static desktop OS background - perhaps because it has no inherent functional purpose and remains covered most of the time - remains as a canvas.

> the static desktop OS background Eons ago, there was a (paid) 3rd-party program for MacOS Classic that would give you a slideshow desktop background. The images were of the Golden Gate bridge, and were a timelapse over the course of a day. The changes were (afair) synced to your local solar time, so 'sunset' in the desktop background would line up with your local sunset. I'd have to search to find the name of the p…

In classic Apple fashion, that's built in to the OS now.

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#57

Post by vvillena »

johnbehnke wrote: post #3

The macOS screenshot library from Stephen is also excellent: https://512pixels.net/projects/aqua-screenshot-library/

Looking back at the 10.4-10.7 era, I really miss those app icons, they were so easy to tell apart from each other just from shape. The rest of the design language was also a marvel in usability, it was so clear what everything was and how to interact with it.

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#58

Post by dylan604 »

_benj wrote: post #27
ruined wrote: post #4

(admirable) these images did incredible psychic damage to kde designers i used the catalina bg until late last year, when they started shipping the former appletv video backgrounds as the default, because it was just so good. seriously, after that on a 5k display, i thought i would never enjoy another desktop background

> (admirable) these images did incredible psychic damage to kde designers made me chuckle :-) But for real, there is something about a good wallpaper, at least for me, the wallpaper being the first thing I set on a new linux install. I fully believe that a solid default wallpaper can help with desktop manager adoption (i.e. kde, gnome, xfce4), at least for the bohemians types like me!

> the wallpaper being the first thing I set on a new linux install

For me, that would be the last time I ever see it. I have so many windows open providing me quick access to whatever I need without flipping spaces or whatever, that I just never see the desktop.

It's just one of those things that over time of using computers, I just don't care about it any more. I don't begrudge anyone that does, but it is just one of those funny things one realizes how time changes one's outlook

Re: Every default macOS wallpaper

#59

Post by lgl »

nullhole wrote: post #51
danans wrote: post #49

Tangentially, I find wallpaper to be fascinating as it's one of the few aspects of desktop UX that is basically still 100% open to self-expression. For functional reasons, every other desktop UI surface has converged with only a few minor variations. But the static desktop OS background - perhaps because it has no inherent functional purpose and remains covered most of the time - remains as a canvas.

> the static desktop OS background Eons ago, there was a (paid) 3rd-party program for MacOS Classic that would give you a slideshow desktop background. The images were of the Golden Gate bridge, and were a timelapse over the course of a day. The changes were (afair) synced to your local solar time, so 'sunset' in the desktop background would line up with your local sunset. I'd have to search to find the name of the p…

Well, it's not for MacOS, but software to run animated wallpapers exist for Windows.

One example is the very popular WallpaperEngine [0]. Another cool one (and open source) is Lively Wallpaper [1].

Selfless plug: I've also developed and released LumoTray [2] which is a wallpaper/screensaver manager for windows with some other extra features but without any animated wallpapers except slideshows as I still find it a bit of a resource waste for something that I rarely see.

[0] https://www.wallpaperengine.io

[1] https://www.rocksdanister.com/lively/

[2] https://lumotray.com/

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