How do I set my wallpaper to a web page on Mac OS X

Question

I'd like to be able to have very ambient and persistent access to a web page.

One idea would be to set the web page as my wallpaper.

On Windows this would be easy enough, by setting an Active Desktop, but how would you go about it on a Mac.

If it is not possible, what would suggest as an alternative?

Answer 1

What you are probably looking for is GeekTool. Take a look at the collection of "Geeklets" to see if there is something close to what you need to do and/or can adapt for your needs.

Answer 2

This is a bit of a roundabout way, but you could use a screensaver like IdleWeb to show the website, and then set the screensaver as your wallpaper with Wallsaver. (By the way, this is just theoretical; I haven't actually tried this!) I can't post multiple links yet, but just Google those and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Answer 3

There was a program called WebDesktop, but it hasn't been updated in some time. If you need something on Leopard or Snow Leopard it may or may not work.

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/mac/17536

Answer 4

There is a built in solution to show a web page in the dashboard which might be "good enough" for you.

1. Open Safari
2. Navigate to the web page you want to show up on your desktop
3. Select Open in Dashboard… from Safari's File Menu.
4. The cursor changes to a white box. Move this white box over the area of the page you want to create a widget from. Click to select the area.
5. Click the Add button top right of screen

Now you have the web page on the dashboard and it can be dragged and placed where you like. You can quickly see it by clicking the dashboard icon on your dock, or hitting the dashboard shortcut (usually F4).

Although widgets can be "detached" from the dashboard layer, they float above all windows.