We can tell...

https://www.wincustomize.com/download.asp?LibID=13&file=priviewbliss.jpg&SkinID=4613

Jafo resists urges to smile

maybe I can e-mail it to T-man or somthing

latin4567 - I quite like the idea of your weather applet, to make the desktop reflect the outside world of the user. A further refinement which would be a REAL challenge for ya - get the stars on the night image to reflect the users actual location and the time. i.e. combine it with getting the graphics from one of the on-line astronomy sites that can generate a star chart for a given location. It should be possible to combine a few objects using alpha blends to seemlessly overlay (probably underlay - but that only sounds right for carpet ) the result.

Personnaly, I do admire your youthful exuberance on the message boards here, but you also remind me why I'm glad I'm not 12 anymore

latin4567 - you might be right, but pointing to other people's prior crimes doesn't make one innocent. I've not checked, but you may find that the other such examples are actually only "in the style of bliss" and may have been created from scratch.

I do like you're idea of making real world reflecting active desktop wallpaper though. There are a lot of people working in offices without sight of a window except the ones on the computer. If you have a camera, why not get out and capture some images yourself to use? Or, check the (c) issue on whatever images you want to use in advance in future at least before putting all the effort in.

BTW - if you do stick at this, it would be good if you could use more images. So that there is an image for each weather type for each time of day. And if possible, 4 times of day (early morning, day, late afternoon/evening, night) and 5 types of weather at least (clear sky, overcast, rain, storm, snow) giving 4x5 =20 images needed....hmmm, might make it a BIG object!

Actually, since you have the graphics you used with Bliss, maybe you could re-use them and create a collection of objects that use alpha blending to overlay whatever background wallpaper the user has to give the impression of different weather/times of day? I'm not sure how well that might work, but it would let people re-use your object then with whatever landscape they want, which could be th view from their own window, or someone else in the world they wish they were

latin....be creative and don't worry too much about what others are doing Anyway the descriptions of the other bliss walls you mentioned don't seem to be that creative or worth bothering with.

combine it with getting the graphics from one of the on-line astronomy sites that can generate a star chart for a given location

I cant script unfortunately So I would have to ask martin or Frogboy to do the script for me
However
I could have them press a button to indicate wether they are in the northern or southern hemisphere But that still requires scripting knowledge I can only edit scripts not create them

BTW - if stock photo ARE OK, then (for a small fee) you could try:

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&text=landscape

as a start...I've not checked their exact rules/agreement when you purchase an image, but it's an example of the sort of things out there....and other places are free as in beer as well as free as in speech

*** edited as I checked the small print which says:

"3. You may:

(a) install the Content in only one location you may physically transfer the Content and its archives from one location to another, however it may only be used in one location at a time

( make one (1) copy of the Content solely for back-up purposes you must reproduce all proprietary notices on this single back-up copy

(c) use the Content in the following applications:

(i) advertising and promotional projects, including printed materials, packaging, presentations, film and video presentations, commercials, books and book covers, greeting cards and postcards

(ii) online or electronic publications, including web pages to a maximum of 640 x 480 pixels @ 72 dpi

(iii) prints (i.e. a hardcopy) and reproductions for personal use

(d) create Derivative Works (namely an original work within the meaning of the Copyright Act (Canada) which incorporates but is not substantially similar to the Content) by incorporating the Content into your own work

(e) use the Derivative Works in the same manner as permitted in section 3(c) above, and in items for resale including t-shirts, mugs, calendars and mouse pads and

(f) transfer files containing Content or Derivative Works to your clients, printers, or ISP for the purpose of reproduction, provided that such parties shall not have no further rights to use the Content. "

===========
So, derivitive works are allowed, which I would take to mean the sorts of things you'd be using them for...and it also includes thinsg for resale, so WC can include it on any CD they might like to in future too...I think....it would need checking for certain.
[Message Edited]

Images 'used' should have links to their source to verify appropriate rights of distribution....
'I got this free image off the net someplace' does not qualify as 'consent'.

But I dont have a credit card

latin, I dont have one either...but I can still pursuade the house treasurer to purchase products for me...All you have to do is remember to pay them back.