README.md

xkcd-now-clock

Sometimes you are forced to use a M$-System. Wouldn't it be cool to have a nice Wallpaper? Well with the scripts found in this repository you can use the XKCD Now Comic as your Wallpaper.

Installation

1. Download or clone this repository
2. Run the install.bat (See below for customization)
   • Note: If you recieve an Error when the install.bat finished, you have to open an cmd as Administrator and run: powershell Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
3. Import the created XKCD-Now-Clock.xml with the Windows Task Scheduler
4. Now you have a nice Wallpaper clock

How it works.

The install.bat downloads all pictures of the Comic and converts them to jpg, as Windows just supports JPEG-Wallpapers. Once you imported the XKCD-Now-Clock.xml a Task will be created which runs every 15 min and changes the wallpaper. The Task executes the invis.vbs which allows to call the powershell script RotateWallpaper.ps1 invisibly. The RotateWallpaper.ps1 determines which Image should be used and changes the wallpaper to it.

Customization

The install.bat allows the following parameters.

• download: Images will be re-downloaded from the xkcd servers
• convert: Images will be converted again to jpg.
  • Optionally you can specify label, which will add your local time and UTC time in the bottom right corner.
  • Without any further specified options you will get the raw images. The output for install.bat convert:
    
  • With clock specified, a little red dot will be added to the picitures, showing your local time.
    Additionally you can specify ampm, so that the dot will behave 12-hour-like instead of 24-hour-like.
    The output for install.bat convert clock label:
    
  • With center specified, your time-zone will always be at the 12 'o clock position of the image.
    The output for install.bat convert center: