scDesk - Active Desktop

Updates

Version 2.7:

Released: 12 March 2004
Changes:

Fading effects
Visual settings popup

Screenshot: 1280x960

Version 2.5
Version 2
Version 1

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Features

Current:

Wallpaper changer
Wallpaper randomiser
Wallpaper tile/stretch/center toggle
Wallpaper repeat options
Wallpaper alignment options
Notepads that auto save/load content
Calendar showing current month and date
Google Web and Image search bars
Dictionary search bar
IMDb search bar
Link to display Australian TV Guide (http://www.yourtv.com.au) for the rest of the day
Australian TV search bar
Buttons to eject CD/DVD drives
Winamp controls
Fading effects

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Instructions

You will need at least a basic understanding of HTML as customization of the code is neccessary. I will try to write up a customization guide later.

Required files: [Download RAR]

Save these files to a directory on your computer. Open desktop.js and change the first line to point to the directory.

To enable your Active Desktop:

Display Properties → Desktop → Browse... → select desktop.html → Open → OK

When your are making changes to the desktop.html they will only be visible once the desktop is reset (Refresh/F5 does not always do this). The easiest way is:

Display Properties → Desktop → select (None) → select desktop → OK/Apply

To remove ActiveX warnings (Please note that making these changes will not affect files located on the web. All websites on the Internet use the Internet Security Zone, not the My Computer Security Zone.):

Run regedit
Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0
Set FLAGS dword value to 47
Close regedit
Launch Internet Explorer
Tools → Internet Options → Security tab
Highlight the new My Computer security zone icon
Click Custom Level
Under ActiveX controls and plug-ins:

Enable Download signed ActiveX controls
Enable Download unsigned ActiveX controls
Enable Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe
Enable Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
Enable Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting

OK → Apply → OK

To hide icons from the desktop:

right-click desktop → Arrange Icons By → untick Show Desktop Icons

Other stuff:

Winamp Control Executables (by Triffid Hunter): http://classic.winamp.com/plugins/detail.jhtml?componentId=29828
The wallpaper will not work if Show pictures is unselected in your IE Internet Options

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Links

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Credits

My Active Desktop is heavily modified code based on code by:

ThirtyseveN (tsDesk .42 Preview Edition)
LonelyKing (command prompt & winamp code)
Fijimunkii (dictionary.com search & SA Links & tsDesk Winamp pack)
StreetPreacher (Drive eject code)
KlassModeler (CommandCom code)

Thanks to them and everyone else from The Awful Forums that contributed.

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Contact

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions/suggestions/feedback:

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