Add background wallpaper to XDM

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Here are some tips to make XDM look nicer:

  • Install the Quick Image Viewer:
 pacman -Sy qiv
  • Make a directory to store background images. (e.g. /root/backgrounds or /usr/local/share/backgrounds)
  • Place your images in the directory. If you don't have any try [1] for starters.
  • Edit /etc/X11/xdm/Xsetup_0. Change the xconsole command to:
 /usr/bin/qiv -zr /root/backgrounds/*
  • Edit /etc/X11/xdm/Xresources. Add/replace the following defines:
 xlogingreetFont:  -adobe-helvetica-bold-o-normal--20------iso8859-1
 xloginfont:       -adobe-helvetica-medium-r-normal--14------iso8859-1
 xloginpromptFont: -adobe-helvetica-bold-r-normal--14------iso8859-1
 xloginfailFont:   -adobe-helvetica-bold-r-normal--14------iso8859-1
 xlogin*frameWidth: 1
 xlogin*innerFramesWidth: 1
 xlogin*logoPadding: 0
 xlogin*geometry:    300x175-0-0

Comment out the logo defines:

 #xlogin*logoFileName: /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xdm/pixmaps/xorg.xpm
 #xlogin*logoFileName: /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xdm/pixmaps/xorg-bw.xpm

For the exact meaning of the definitions, see the man page of xdm.

  • Update /etc/pacman.conf so the changes don't get erased:
 ~NoUpgrade   = etc/X11/xdm/Xsetup_0 etc/X11/xdm/Xresources

The changes will now give you a random wallpaper image and move the login prompt to the botom-right edge of the screen.

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