2torial #0492:
Learn2 Change Your Monitor's Wallpaper

Update your image

Changing your computer's wallpaper (its background image) does a lot more than show off your technical savvy. It enhances your surroundings by displaying a favorite image every time you turn on your monitor. So why not put something that makes you smile on display for everyone to see? And here's a secret: It only requires a miniscule amount of know-how. In a few quick clicks, you'll be able to express yourself in a new and fun way.

This 2torial is for both Windows and Macintosh platforms, but importing your own image (rather than one the computer comes installed with) will only work for Windows machines, or for Macintosh machines using system 8.0 or greater.

The process of changing a background image is similar (and just as simple) for both Windows and Macintosh. You're only limited by the image you decide to use. Just remember, don't pick anything too crude if you're in an office setting, OK?

Choose a sample image

This is the fun part. You get to go "shopping" for an image (or several of them), but you never have to spend anything. If only all shopping could be like that!

Probably the simplest way (at least in the beginning) is to choose one of your computer's sample background images. That is, unless you really love that beautiful gray screen behind everything.

To get to the sample images in Windows, right-click anywhere on the desktop (except for the task bar), then select Properties from the pop-up menu. Choose the Background tab, then pick an image (by highlighting it) from the Wallpaper list. A mini-screen will display what the image will look like. When you find the one you like, just click OK.

The process is similar with Macintosh, except you go under the Apple menu to Control Panels, choose Appearance (or Desktop Pictures), click on the Desktop tab, choose an item from the Patterns list, and click Set Desktop.

Use your own image

If you aren't into any of the samples you find, you can scan in one of your own photos instead. If you don't have a scanner, ask a friend to do it for you, see if you can use one at work, or ask a local copy center if they have one you can use (a copy center will charge you for this, though).

Additionally, there are virtually thousands of images available for free online. Do a search for "wallpaper" or "background image," then just click your way through sites and images galore. When you find the one(s) you like, it's time to begin downloading.

To download an image with a Macintosh, hold the cursor over the image, hold down the mouse button, and then choose "Save Image As" or "Save Picture As" from the pop-up menu. Save the image onto your hard drive in the System Folder. You may want to create a folder there called "Wallpaper" or "Backgrounds" to store your image(s) in.

To download an image with a Windows-based PC, hold the cursor over the image, select "Save As" from the File menu, and save the image into your Windows folder or into a folder you create (called "Wallpaper," "Backgrounds," or the like). This will let you save several images that you can rotate over time.

Format the image

If you scanned the image, or if you downloaded an image that isn't a bitmap (.bmp) file (Windows) or a "pict" file (Macintosh), you'll need to format it. For this you'll need photo editing software such as PhotoShop, Picture It, Paint Shop Pro, or the like. There are also some software and shareware programs available online that are made specifically for use with wallpaper images (and some don't require you to reformat the image). Check the wallpaper or background image sites from your initial online search to find them.

To reformat the image with photo editing software:

• Reduce the image's dpi to 72. Crop it appropriately, taking your monitor's size and shape into account.

• Check your monitor's resolution (it should be the same as the image). In Windows, right-click on the desktop, select Properties, then click on Settings. Your resolution will be listed there. On a Macintosh, choose Control Panels from the Apple Menu, then choose Monitors and Sound. Click on the Monitor icon. The resolution will be listed on the right-hand side of the dialog box.

• Adjust the image's width to match your monitor's horizontal resolution (width is listed first, so if the resolution is 800 by 600 pixels, set the image's width to 800 pixels). If the image has the right width but isn't high enough, adjust the image's height (as slightly as possible), being careful not to distort the image in the process.

• Save the image as a .bmp file (Windows) or a pict file (Macintosh).

Load it up!

To load the image onto your desktop, navigate to the area where your sample images are located (see Step 1). Again, a dialog box with a mini-screen will appear. If you're using Windows, click on Browse and navigate to the folder where you saved your formatted picture. Double-click the .bmp image. The image will appear on the mini-screen. If desired, click Center to center it on your screen (or just leave it as-is), and click OK.

On Macintosh, open the folder where you saved your own picture, click on it and then drag it onto the mini-screen. When it appears on the screen, click the Set Desktop button. That's it!

Now you can enhance your computer (and perhaps torture your coworkers) with family photos, favorite vacation spots, or your special collection of naked mole rat snapshots.

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