Do you have a favorite webpage that you like to check multiple times a day? I’m sure that we all do. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have instant access to that page 24/7?
Sure, you can constantly keep any page open in a tab in your browser, but not having to open the browser to view it would be even more convenient. That’s where an app like Website Wallpaper comes in handy.
With Website Wallpaper, you can turn any website into an interactive desktop wallpaper. This will in turn give you around the clock access to your favorite webpage, all without having to open your browser.
Here’s how it works.
Getting Started
First, you’ll need to download Website Wallpaper from the Mac App Store. It will cost $4.99, which in my opinion is worth the price.
Once you install and run the application, the Preferences window will open automatically. Your current desktop wallpaper will be replaced with a blank grey background for now.
Customizing the Preferences
Decide on a URL to use for your wallpaper and enter it under URL in Preferences.
Under the General tab, you can choose to automatically start Website Wallpaper when you start your Mac so that your interactive desktop wallpaper will be active right away. You can also choose to show the application icon in the menubar, dock, or both.
Finally, you can choose to show your desired URL on one or all of your monitors (if you have multiple monitors).
- Under the Wallpaper tab, you can layer the Web page to show in the front or back of your desktop icons (if you have any).
If you choose “back of desktop icons,” then you won’t be able to interact with the Web page. You’ll be able to view it, but you won’t be able to click on any links, fill out forms, scroll the page, etc.
If you choose “front of desktop icons,” you can enable/disable the mouse and keyboard; you’ll need to enable the mouse and keyboard so that you can interact with the page. You can also decide what to do when you click any links on the URL: open in main frame, open in browser, or ignore.
- Under the Screen Saver tab, you can also use your URL as your screen saver. You can choose to start the screen saver in 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour. If you don’t want to use the URL as your screen saver, choose “never.”
Interacting With Your Wallpaper
Once you’re done customizing the Preferences, you can click “Done” to see your new interactive desktop wallpaper. Remember, you can only interact with your wallpaper if you choose “front of desktop icons” under the Wallpaper tab.
Interacting with your wallpaper is just like interacting with a webpage in your browser. You can do just about all of the same things as you would in your browser, such as scrolling up and down the page and clicking links.
Quick Tips: Searching from your desktop
A good way to make use of Website Wallpaper is to set the URL to Google.com. In this way, you can perform a search directly from your desktop.
Final Thoughts
If there’s a URL that you’re constantly visiting throughout the day, then Website Wallpaper is the perfect app for you. You can use this interactive desktop wallpaper to keep tabs on your favorite news site, blog, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and more. Plus, being able to actually interact with that site right from your desktop makes it even better.
How do you plan to use Website Wallpaper on your Mac? Let us know below in the comments section.
Charnita has been a Freelance Writer & Professional Blogger since 2008. As an early adopter she loves trying out new apps and services. As a Windows, Mac, Linux and iOS user, she has a great love for bleeding edge technology. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn.
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