Random Object Generator
As part of our recent Collections Remix — and to help people more easily explore our vast collection — we created a webpage that refreshed every 15 seconds, displaying a different object from the Science Museum Group collection.
You can view the webpage at https://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/search/slideshow.
Since then a few people have asked us whether it could be used a desktop wallpaper or screensaver. To which the answer is yes.
If you’re interested in how, read on.
Using the Random Object Generator as a screensaver
Please note: the following screensaver applications are not developed, affiliated or maintained by Science Museum Group and are used for example only, we cannot give technical support on these applications. You may find that your PC or Mac already has a built-in screensaver or wallpaper function that can display a webpage.
Macintosh (macOS)
1. Download the plugin from https://github.com/liquidx/webviewscreensaver/releases
2. Double-click to un-pack the ‘WebViewScreenSaver-x.x.zip’ file you just downloaded, you should now have a file called ‘WebViewScreenSaver.saver’ in the same folder as the .zip file you just downloaded.
3. Double-click (open) the ‘WebViewScreenSaver.saver’ file to install the plugin.
4. Open up System Preferences > Desktop and Screen Saver > Screen Saver
5. Select ‘WebViewScreenSaver’ (found at the bottom of the Screen Savers list)
6. Select ‘Screen Saver Options’
7. Click the URL box and wait for it to turn blue (or select the ‘Add URL’ button)
8. Enter the following URL:
https://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/search/slideshow
9. Optionally set hot-corners or screensaver delay
10. Sit back and enjoy
PC (Windows 7 and up)
- Download the screensaver application from https://github.com/cwc/web-page-screensaver/releases
2. Find the ‘Web-Page-Screensaver.scr’ file you just downloaded on your computer, right click it.
3. Select “Install” to install, or “Test” to test it out without installing
4. If installing, the Screen Saver Settings dialog will pop up with the correct screen saver selected
5. Under the screensaver settings enter the following URL:
https://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/search/slideshow
Collections Remix was part of the Group’s Digital Lab initiative supported by founding partner Samsung.
