Linux Candy is a series of articles covering interesting eye candy software. We only feature open source software in this series.
Some of the programs in this series are purely cosmetic, frivolous pieces of fun. Candy at their finest. But we also include some programs that aren’t purely decorative.
There are a diverse range of programs included in this series. Programs such as eDEX-UI and Variety are actually highly practical programs. ASCIIQuarium has soothing and relaxing qualities for your desktop. Other programs included in this series (such as lolcat, cacafire) are included purely for their decorative qualities. And then there’s some really fun software that just raises a smile or two.
WallPicker is a modern GTK4/Libadwaita wallpaper picker application. This isn’t the first wallpaper program that’s been explored in this series, but it has some really notable features.
Installation
I evaluated WallPicker with both the Manjaro and Ubuntu distributions. For Manjaro, there’s a package in the Arch User Repository (AUR). I built the program using Pamac, Manjaro’s package manager that supports the AUR.
Pamac installs the program’s dependencies automatically.
The software builds with no issues.
In Operation
Here’s an image of WallPicker in action.
The image above is showing wallpaper from Wallhaven.
The GUI lets you search, filter, and browse thousands of wallpapers.
The dropdown box next to the search fields lets you sort wallpapers by newest, relevance, random, views, favorites, and top list.
The hamburger icon next to the dropdown reveals more options, which are shown to the left. For example, the minimum resolution option lets you choose all, 1920×1080, 2560×1440, and 3840×2160 (4K) resolutions.
The software doesn’t only offer Wallhaven integration. You can also browse and manage wallpapers that are stored on your local machine or local network with thumbnail previews.
There’s also a favorites section which offers fast access to your picks. And you can download local and remote wallpapers.
The other standout feature is the ability to AI upscale images. Other features include smart thumbnail caching and smooth transitions.
Summary
There’s nothing really amazing about WallPicker. But it has a good range of features and makes it easy to browse interesting wallpapers. I like its interface which is intuitive.
On some systems, WallPicker will fail to set the wallpaper.
Website: github.com/gotar/WallPicker
Support:
Developer: Oskar Szrajer
License: MIT License
WallPicker is written in Python. Learn Python with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Complete list of articles in this series:
| Linux Candy | |
|---|---|
| ASCIIQuarium | Embrace marine life from the terminal with beautiful ASCII art |
| ASCII Art Converter | A small utility that converts images into ASCII art |
| ascii_moon | Displays the moon phase |
| BobRossQuotes | Collection of quotes from Bob Ross |
| Boxes | Command line ASCII boxes |
| Buoh | Online strips comics reader |
| cacafire | Color ASCII fire |
| catclock | xclock with an enhanced cat mode |
| cbonsai | Generate bonsai trees in the terminal |
| christmasfetch | Festive cheer on the desktop |
| chucknorris | Chuck Norris jokes in your terminal |
| Clairvoyant | Like a magic 8-ball inspired fortune teller |
| cornyjokes | Corny jokes for the terminal |
| CMatrix | ncurses program that simulates the display from “The Matrix” |
| ctree | A Christmas tree right on your terminal |
| cutieascii | Displays random ASCII art emojis |
| doge | Simple motd script |
| eDEX-UI | Sci-fi computer terminal emulator and system monitor |
| emoj | Simple tool that to find suitable emojis for pasting to your clipboard |
| Emote | Modern popup emoji picker |
| Evolvotron | Interactive generative art |
| Fantascene | Dynamic wallpaper changer |
| Fondo | Find beautiful wallpapers from Unsplash |
| Fractal Art | Desktop wallpaper generator |
| gti | Typo-based curio inspired by Steam Locomotive |
| Hidamari | Python-based app that offers video wallpaper for Linu |
| Hollywood | Fill your console with Hollywood melodrama technobabble |
| lifecycler | Aquarium right in your terminal |
| linuxwave | Generate music from the entropy of Linux |
| lolcat | Rainbows and unicorns |
| Meme | Fun tool to create memes |
| No More Secrets | Recreates the data decryption effect from the Sneakers movie |
| nook | Plays Animal Crossing hourly themes on the hour |
| nyancat | Terminal-based Pop Tart Cat Animation |
| oneko | Animal chasing fun |
| Picture Of The Day | Your daily wallpaper |
| pipes.sh | Animated pipes terminal screensaver |
| ponysay | cowsay reimplemention for ponies |
| projectM | Music visualizer originally based on Milkdrop |
| pscircle | A different take on the venerable ps command |
| PyBonsai | Generates procedural ASCII art trees |
| pyjokes | One line jokes for programmers |
| Pywal | Generate color schemes on the fly (not actively developed) |
| Relaxator | Relax to soothing sounds |
| ricksay | Rick and Morty quotes of the day |
| Rusty Aquarium | Monitoring by visualization |
| shuffle | ASCII art with a cool shuffle effect |
| Steam Locomotive | C program written in 295 lines. It's harmless fun |
| Ternimal | Animated lifeform in the terminal |
| terminal-parrot | Party parrot time |
| tetris | Tile-matching puzzle video game in your terminal |
| Variety | Wallpaper manager with many desktops and wallpaper sources |
| WallGen | Generate HQ poly wallpapers with a few arguments. |
| WallpaperDownloader | Download, change, and manage wallpapers |
| wallust | Create 16 color palettes |
| walrs | Fast colorscheme generator |
| WSelector | Browse, download, and set wallpapers from Wallhaven.cc |
| xcowsay | Displays a cow on your desktop with message |
| XDecorations | Add some festive cheer to your desktop |
| XScreenSaver | Framework and collection of screensavers |
| yosay | Like cowsay but with less cow |