Wallpaper Web Scraping Manager

A Python application that allows you to update your desktop wallpaper dynamically based on a screenshot of a webpage. The wallpaper is updated when a keyboard event is triggered, and the application enforces a cooldown period between updates. This project is ideal for creating a dynamic and customizable desktop experience.

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Features

• Captures a screenshot of a specified webpage using Puppeteer.
• Updates the desktop wallpaper with the captured screenshot.
• Enforces a cooldown period between updates to prevent excessive changes.
• Runs in the background and listens for keyboard events to trigger updates.
• Easy to host as a persistent background service using PM2.

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Requirements

Software Dependencies

• Python 3.7+
• Node.js (for PM2 hosting, optional but recommended)
• Python libraries:
  • playwright
  • asyncio
  • ctypes (standard library)
  • datetime (standard library)

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/asdat3/winwallpaper_from_scraper.git
   cd winwallpaper_from_scraper

2. Install the required Python packages:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Ensure Node.js and PM2 are installed (optional but recommended for background hosting):

   npm install -g pm2

4. Install playwright (it will prompt you once you run the script)

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Usage

Running the Application

1. Start the Python script:

   python main.py

2. Press any key to trigger the wallpaper update process.

Hosting with PM2

Hosting the application using PM2 allows it to run seamlessly in the background and even start automatically on system boot.

1. Start the application with PM2:

   pm2 start main.py --interpreter python3 --name "WallpaperManager"

2. Save the PM2 process list to start on system boot:

   pm2 save
   pm2 startup

3. Check the application status:

   pm2 status

4. Stop the application:

   pm2 stop WallpaperManager

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How It Works

1. Capture Screenshot: The application uses Puppeteer to navigate to a webpage and capture a screenshot.
2. Set Wallpaper: The screenshot is saved locally and set as the desktop wallpaper using the ctypes library.
3. Keyboard Event Listener: The keyboard library listens for keypress events, which trigger the screenshot and wallpaper update process.
4. Cooldown Enforcement: A cooldown period prevents frequent updates, ensuring smooth operation.

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Future Enhancements (will never happen)

• Add support for customizable hotkeys.
• Allow users to specify the webpage URL dynamically.
• Implement better error handling for system-specific wallpaper settings.
• Add an interactive GUI for non-technical users.

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Disclaimer

This tool is intended for personal use only. Ensure compliance with the terms of service of any website accessed using this tool.