It takes one command in the Terminal to set your current screensaver as the desktop background. You can have slideshows, animations, and even Quartz compositions. The possibilities are endless.

So, how now, brown cow? Well, the one line command is here:

/System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine -background

And hey presto! Enjoy your new desktop. To revert to your original background, simply run the screensaver by a hot corner or something. Easy! While expose is activated, the desktop will fade back to the original background image, but once it’s deactivated it’ll fade back to the screensaver.

Lazy? Me too

Yes, running a Terminal (or Shell) command every time you want to do something can get a bit tiresome (especially if you’re a Mac user ). Is there a way to simplify this process? Absolutely.

The DeskSaver app allows you to easily put a screensaver on your desktop, pause it, resume it or restart it.

Have fun, and see what else you can come up with.