Float the BBC iPlayer widget on the Desktop
Feb 06, '08 07:30:02AM
Contributed by: Anonymous
This hint is for UK users that want to watch BBC iPlayer shows on their desktop while 'working' on other stuff. It uses Safari's Web Clip feature to view the iPlayer content in a Dashboard Widget, as seen in this screenshot.
First, enable 'devmode' in Dashboard, as explained in this hint (you can just killall Dock to activate devmode, no logout/login required), so you can float the Web Clip on your desktop. Next, grab the iPlayer content:
- Open Safari and find the iPlayer page with the show you want to watch.
- Click File » Open in Dashboard... (a purple toolbar will appear).
- Move the mouse over and click the iPlayer Play button to select the iPlayer area, then click the 'Add' button. Dashboard will open and load the iPlayer Web Clip.
- Begin dragging the iPlayer Web Clip (click and drag the top edge of the Web Clip), then press F12 while dragging. This will exit Dashboard mode and leave the Web Clip under your mouse.
- Move the iPlayer Web Clip wherever you want it, and let go of the mouse.
Now you can get on with your work while 'unmissing' your favorite show. Read on for a few notes about this solution...
Notes:
- The iPlayer Web Clip will float above all your windows.
- You can play/pause the iPlayer as you would in your web browser, and even use full screen mode.
- To close the iPlayer Web Clip, hold down the Option key and click the 'x' in the top left corner.
- To change the look of the outer frame, click the 'i' in the bottom right corner.
- To return the Web Clip to the Dashboard, drag the Web Clip and press F12 to open Dashboard, then release the mouse to drop the Web Clip.
- Tiger users: The Dash Clipping widget should enable you to do similar, but I haven't tested it.
[robg adds: I haven't tested this one, not residing in the UK.]
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Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20080130094439712