xfdesktop --reload in user crontab ? it is possible ?

[freddec]

Hi all
First I hope you'll anderstand me because I'm French and dont speak English very well.

I use XFCE on Debian Testing Lenny

For my desktop background I use a photo list name wallpaper.list
I would like the wallpaper auto change (all 10 minutes for example)

 - When I logon, i've a new wallpaper from my list --> ok
 - If I use in xterm the command xfdesktop --reload a new wallpaper is refresh from the list --> OK
 - If if use the same command with the alt+F2 LaucherWindow it work fine --> OK
 - I've created a button in my panel with the command xfdesktop --reload ans it works fine too on click --> OK

But
 - I've tested to use in crontab  the same commands  : */10  *  *  *  *    /usr/bin/xfdesktop --reload   the commands is well execute  regarding syslog

May 28 15:00:01 frederic /USR/SBIN/CRON[5232]: (fred) CMD (/usr/bin/xfdesktop --reload )
May 28 15:10:01 frederic /USR/SBIN/CRON[5292]: (fred) CMD (/usr/bin/xfdesktop --reload )

But nothing my wallpaper doesn't change
Probably something i dont understand with this commands (xfdesktop --reload), maybe an option ?

Thank you for helping me (if possible    )

freddec

[freddec]

Hi

So i've found a solution:
You must add the  DISPLAY:0,0 commands in the crontab line, like this:

Code:

*/10  *  *  *  *    DISPLAY=:0.0 /usr/bin/xfdesktop --reload

Thank's at my Friend from the French Debian User Community: ANDESI

[Pindakoe]

This did not work for me, probably because of security settings. I get an error along the lines 'cannot connect to host' (no longer have the exact text). Some googling shows others have been there before me.

[freddec]

If you're using xgl instead of xorg maybe you must use DISPLAY:1.0

And/Or if you're using GDM, you must modify the file /etc/gdm/gdm.conf-custom
to give authorization to cron doing something on X
Find:

Code:

command=/usr/bin/X -br -audit 0

that become

Code:

command=/usr/bin/X -ac -br -audit 0

See there (in french)

[carbonfreeze]

You can also try what is suggested here:

http://rubylution.ping.de/articles/2007/08/31/automatically-changing-background-wallpaper-in-xfce4


Incase the link ever goes down, you can use

Code:

killall -USR1 xfdesktop

to cause the image to be changed.