MX Linux Forum

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:36 pm**

Hi there,
i would like to point one issue, that overall good function of shifting wallpapers with software 'variety' doenst work.

After installation new release of MX, and installing variety from MX Package Installer, variety doenst really work.
while running it from terminal it bring some errors, which i cannot now print you in original way, because i played with this a bit.

long story short, is that possible to make it work, or delete it from the Package Installer and propose a alternative?

thanks

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 6.1.0-37-amd64 [6.1.140-1] arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-6.1.0-37-amd64 root=UUID=<filter> ro quiet splash
  Desktop: Xfce v: 4.20.0 tk: Gtk v: 3.24.38 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm v: 4.20.0 vt: 7
    dm: LightDM v: 1.32.0 Distro: MX-23.6_x64 Libretto April 13  2025 base: Debian GNU/Linux 12
    (bookworm)
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: LENOVO product: 20QDCTO1WW v: ThinkPad X1 Carbon 7th
    serial: <superuser required> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: LENOVO model: 20QDCTO1WW v: SDK0J40709 WIN serial: <superuser required> UEFI: LENOVO
    v: N2HET40W (1.23 ) date: 10/17/2019
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 21.3 Wh (50.1%) condition: 42.5/51.0 Wh (83.2%) volts: 14.9 min: 15.4
    model: SMP 02DL005 type: Li-poly serial: <filter> status: discharging cycles: 445
CPU:
  Info: model: Intel Core i7-8565U bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Comet/Whiskey Lake note: check
    gen: core 8 level: v3 note: check built: 2018 process: Intel 14nm family: 6 model-id: 0x8E (142)
    stepping: 0xC (12) microcode: 0x100
  Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 4 tpc: 2 threads: 8 smt: enabled cache: L1: 256 KiB
    desc: d-4x32 KiB; i-4x32 KiB L2: 1024 KiB desc: 4x256 KiB L3: 8 MiB desc: 1x8 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 800 min/max: 400/4600 scaling: driver: intel_pstate governor: powersave
    cores: 1: 800 2: 800 3: 800 4: 800 5: 800 6: 800 7: 800 8: 800 bogomips: 31999
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
  Vulnerabilities:
  Type: gather_data_sampling mitigation: Microcode
  Type: indirect_target_selection mitigation: Aligned branch/return thunks
  Type: itlb_multihit status: KVM: VMX disabled
  Type: l1tf status: Not affected
  Type: mds status: Not affected
  Type: meltdown status: Not affected
  Type: mmio_stale_data mitigation: Clear CPU buffers; SMT vulnerable
  Type: reg_file_data_sampling status: Not affected
  Type: retbleed mitigation: Enhanced IBRS
  Type: spec_rstack_overflow status: Not affected
  Type: spec_store_bypass mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via prctl
  Type: spectre_v1 mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization
  Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Enhanced / Automatic IBRS; IBPB: conditional; PBRSB-eIBRS: SW
    sequence; BHI: SW loop, KVM: SW loop
  Type: srbds mitigation: Microcode
  Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel WhiskeyLake-U GT2 [UHD Graphics 620] vendor: Lenovo driver: i915 v: kernel
    arch: Gen-9.5 process: Intel 14nm built: 2016-20 ports: active: DP-4,eDP-1 empty: DP-1, DP-2,
    DP-3, HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:3ea0 class-ID: 0300
  Device-2: Bison Integrated Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 1-8:2 chip-ID: 5986:114e
    class-ID: 0e02 serial: <filter>
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: xfwm v: 4.20.0 driver: X:
    loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 display-ID: :0.0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3440x2880 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 911x763mm (35.87x30.04") s-diag: 1188mm (46.78")
  Monitor-1: DP-4 mapped: DP-2-2 pos: top-left model: Dell U3421WE serial: <filter> built: 2021
    res: 3440x1440 hz: 60 dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2 size: 800x335mm (31.5x13.19") diag: 867mm (34.1")
    modes: max: 3440x1440 min: 720x400
  Monitor-2: eDP-1 pos: primary,bottom-r model: AU Optronics 0x2336 built: 2017 res: 2560x1440
    hz: 60 dpi: 210 gamma: 1.2 size: 309x174mm (12.17x6.85") diag: 355mm (14") ratio: 16:9
    modes: 2560x1440
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics 620 (WHL GT2)
    direct-render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Point-LP High Definition Audio vendor: Lenovo
    driver: sof-audio-pci-intel-cnl alternate: snd_hda_intel, snd_soc_skl, snd_sof_pci_intel_cnl
    bus-ID: 00:1f.3 chip-ID: 8086:9dc8 class-ID: 0403
  API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-37-amd64 status: kernel-api tools: alsamixer,amixer
  Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.0.0 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse status: active
    2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin 4: pw-jack type: plugin
    tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Point-LP CNVi [Wireless-AC] driver: iwlwifi v: kernel modules: wl
    bus-ID: 00:14.3 chip-ID: 8086:9df0 class-ID: 0280
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Intel Ethernet I219-V vendor: Lenovo driver: e1000e v: kernel port: N/A
    bus-ID: 00:1f.6 chip-ID: 8086:15be class-ID: 0200
  IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-1: wg0-mullvad state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: N/A
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Intel Bluetooth 9460/9560 Jefferson Peak (JfP) type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8
    bus-ID: 1-10:4 chip-ID: 8087:0aaa class-ID: e001
  Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 2 state: down bt-service: N/A rfk-block: hardware: no
    software: no address: <filter>
  Info: acl-mtu: 1021:4 sco-mtu: 96:6 link-policy: rswitch sniff link-mode: peripheral accept
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 953.87 GiB used: 647.81 GiB (67.9%)
  SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: A-Data model: LEGEND 710 size: 953.87 GiB block-size:
    physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 type: SSD serial: <filter> rev: VC3S500T
    temp: 29.9 C scheme: GPT
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 37.98 GiB size: 37.09 GiB (97.65%) used: 16.78 GiB (45.2%) fs: ext4
    dev: /dev/dm-0 maj-min: 253:0 mapped: luks-<filter>
  ID-2: /boot raw-size: 1024 MiB size: 973.4 MiB (95.06%) used: 201.2 MiB (20.7%) fs: ext4
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-3: /boot/efi raw-size: 256 MiB size: 252 MiB (98.46%) used: 274 KiB (0.1%) fs: vfat
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 maj-min: 259:1
  ID-4: /home raw-size: 899.98 GiB size: 884.78 GiB (98.31%) used: 630.83 GiB (71.3%) fs: ext4
    dev: /dev/dm-1 maj-min: 253:1 mapped: luks-<filter>
Swap:
  Kernel: swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default)
  ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 14.6 GiB used: 1.8 MiB (0.0%) priority: -2 dev: /dev/dm-2
    maj-min: 253:2 mapped: luks-<filter>
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 41.0 C pch: 43.0 C mobo: N/A
  Fan Speeds (RPM): fan-1: 0
Repos:
  Packages: 2333 pm: dpkg pkgs: 2319 libs: 1151 tools: apt,apt-get,aptitude,nala,synaptic pm: rpm
    pkgs: 0 pm: flatpak pkgs: 14
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/brave-browser-release.list
    1: deb [arch=amd64 signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/brave-browser-archive-keyring.gpg] https://brave-browser-apt-release.s3.brave.com/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list
    1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list
    1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
    2: deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/element-io.list
    1: deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/element-io-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.element.io/debian/ default main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list
    1: deb http://nl.mxrepo.com/mx/repo/ bookworm main non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/signal-xenial-added-by-mxpi.list
    1: deb [arch=amd64] https://updates.signal.org/desktop/apt xenial main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/vivaldi.list
    1: deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.vivaldi.com/stable/deb/ stable main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/teams-for-linux-packages.sources
    1: deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.teamsforlinux.de/debian/ stable main
Info:
  Processes: 325 Uptime: 8h 48m wakeups: 26186 Memory: 15.3 GiB used: 6.01 GiB (39.2%)
  Init: SysVinit v: 3.06 runlevel: 5 default: graphical tool: systemctl Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0
  alt: 12 Client: shell wrapper v: 5.2.15-release inxi: 3.3.26
Boot Mode: UEFI

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:40 pm**

Other's have pointed out issues with variety.

XFCE does have the ability to set a different wallpaper for each desktop.
(uncheck apply to all workspaces)
https://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfdesktop/preferences

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:48 pm**

Don't know what to tell you. It's worked for me since probably MX15 or 16. It continues to work for me on MX21 and 23 XFCE. It changes my wallpaper every 5 mins from a whole lot of selected folders.

Perhaps the OP should clarify what exactly doesn't work? How is it behaving?

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:56 pm**

asqwerth wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:48 pm Don't know what to tell you. It's worked for me since probably MX15 or 16. It continues to work for me on MX21 and 23 XFCE. It changes my wallpaper every 5 mins from a whole lot of selected folders.

Perhaps the OP should clarify what exactly doesn't work? How is it behaving?

Isn't "doesn't work" good enough?

They can also try the test repo version to see if that's better.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 1:20 pm**

I just backported 0.8.13 from trixie for the test repos, too: https://wormhole.app/o4d7ym#hgMkuE0Lmvb-iTW_UNfaeg

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 2:05 pm**

Stevo wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 12:56 pm
Isn't "doesn't work" good enough?

They can also try the test repo version to see if that's better.

For starters, can the OP get to the preferences page and change settings, and it's just that the wallpapers simply never change?

or is it totally non responsive and nothing opens at all?

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 2:46 pm**

Hi @asqwerth
thanks for asking, long story short: variety doesnt switch wallpaper at all.

as following, i found the initial source output

Code: Select all

mx@mx:~$ variety --next
Variety is already running. Sending the command to the running instance.
mx@mx:~$  feh --bg-scale /path/to/any/image.jpg
feh WARNING: /path/to/any/image.jpg does not exist - skipping
feh: No loadable images specified.
See 'man feh' for detailed usage information
mx@mx:~$ nano ~/.config/variety/variety.conf
mx@mx:~$ featherpad ~/.config/variety/variety.conf
/usr/share/themes/Greybird-dark-mx/gtk-2.0/apps/xfce-panel.rc:7: error: unexpected keyword 'bg', expected string constant
mx@mx:~$ pkill variety
variety &
[1] 13054
mx@mx:~$ ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,251: _walk_modules() 'Could not load plugin module /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/builtin/quotes/QuotationsPageSource.py'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/jumble/Jumble.py", line 45, in _walk_modules
    yield imp.load_module(name, *info), path
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/imp.py", line 235, in load_module
    return load_source(name, filename, file)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/imp.py", line 172, in load_source
    module = _load(spec)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 721, in _load
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 690, in _load_unlocked
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap_external>", line 940, in exec_module
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 241, in _call_with_frames_removed
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/builtin/quotes/QuotationsPageSource.py", line 22, in <module>
    from httplib2 import iri2uri
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'httplib2'
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,254: _walk_modules() 'Could not load plugin module /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/builtin/quotes/GoodreadsSource.py'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/jumble/Jumble.py", line 45, in _walk_modules
    yield imp.load_module(name, *info), path
          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/imp.py", line 235, in load_module
    return load_source(name, filename, file)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/imp.py", line 172, in load_source
    module = _load(spec)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 721, in _load
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 690, in _load_unlocked
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap_external>", line 940, in exec_module
  File "<frozen importlib._bootstrap>", line 241, in _call_with_frames_removed
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/builtin/quotes/GoodreadsSource.py", line 21, in <module>
    from httplib2 import iri2uri
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'httplib2'
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,269: read() 'Cannot parse filter: xfconf'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Options.py", line 524, in read
    self.filters.append(Options.parse_filter(v))
                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Options.py", line 597, in parse_filter
    return [enabled, s[1], s[2]]
                     ~^^^
IndexError: list index out of range
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,283: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/mx/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
WARNING: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,309: create_menu() 'Variety Slideshow is not installed. This is an optional extension adding pan-and-zoom slideshows to Variety: see https://github.com/peterlevi/variety-slideshow for details'
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,401: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/mx/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:31,941: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:32,795: read() 'Cannot parse filter: xfconf'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Options.py", line 524, in read
    self.filters.append(Options.parse_filter(v))
                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Options.py", line 597, in parse_filter
    return [enabled, s[1], s[2]]
                     ~^^^
IndexError: list index out of range
ERROR: 2025-06-03 10:47:52,872: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

We were missing httplib2, install it via pip3, which needs an install of the pip3 before
Flickr fails because of expired API key
Configuration scritp was broken at /home/mx/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper
and as said previously wallpaper was/is not changing

atm my output is as following

Code: Select all

mx@mx:~$ Variety is already running. Sending the command to the running instance.
ERROR:dbus.proxies:Introspect error on :1.92:/com/peterlevi/Variety: dbus.exceptions.DBusException: org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.NoReply: Message recipient disconnected from message bus without replying
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/variety", line 66, in <module>
    variety.main()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/__init__.py", line 200, in main
    result = method(arguments)
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/dbus/proxies.py", line 72, in __call__
    return self._proxy_method(*args, **keywords)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/dbus/proxies.py", line 141, in __call__
    return self._connection.call_blocking(self._named_service,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/dbus/connection.py", line 634, in call_blocking
    reply_message = self.send_message_with_reply_and_block(
                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
dbus.exceptions.DBusException: org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name :1.92 was not provided by any .service files

as a matter of fact, let me just add that i've been using Variety for several years. I dont mind using something else though, but MX Package Installer do not provide any other Wallpaper changer and manager.

Posted: **Tue Jun 03, 2025 4:26 pm**

We were missing httplib2, install it via pip3, which needs an install of the pip3 before

Ummm...no. Pip3 won't work on MX 23, you use pipx instead. But.....

Code: Select all

$ apt show variety 

Package: variety
Version: 0.8.13-1~mx23+1
Status: install ok installed
Priority: optional
Section: graphics
Maintainer: Steven Pusser <stevep@mxlinux.org>
Original-Maintainer: James Lu <jlu@debian.org>
Installed-Size: 2,025 kB
Depends: gir1.2-gdkpixbuf-2.0, gir1.2-gexiv2-0.10, gir1.2-glib-2.0, gir1.2-gtk-3.0, gir1.2-notify-0.7, gir1.2-pango-1.0, imagemagick, python3-bs4, python3-cairo, python3-configobj, python3-dbus, python3-gi, python3-gi-cairo, python3-lxml, python3-packaging | python3-pkg-resources, python3-pil, python3-requests, python3:any, fortune-mod, gir1.2-ayatanaappindicator3-0.1 | gir1.2-appindicator3-0.1, libavif-gdk-pixbuf, python3-httplib2

Note that very last dependency, python3-httplib2, which I made sure gets explicitly installed as a dependency instead of a recommended package. If you have been using pip3 or pipx, your python3 system could be deranged.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 4:03 am**

@Stevo

Hi Stevo, ive opened the VirtualMachine/Box, used the MX23.6, install Variety, and run it in terminal, this is the output

Code: Select all


demo@mx1:~
$ variety
WARNING: 2025-06-04 03:39:45,581: load_history() 'Could not load history file, continuing without it, no worries'
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:39:45,592: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
WARNING: 2025-06-04 03:39:45,627: create_menu() 'Variety Slideshow is not installed. This is an optional extension adding pan-and-zoom slideshows to Variety: see https://github.com/peterlevi/variety-slideshow for details'
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:39:46,126: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:40:06,537: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:40:37,475: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:41:08,416: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:41:39,387: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:42:10,284: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:42:52,005: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:44:45,635: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:44:48,124: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:47:49,673: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:49:45,868: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:49:48,353: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:52:49,876: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:54:45,953: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:54:48,510: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:57:50,034: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:59:46,399: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
ERROR: 2025-06-04 03:59:48,907: download_one_from() 'Could not download wallpaper:'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1161, in download_one_from
    file = downloader.download_one()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/plugins/downloaders/DefaultDownloader.py", line 141, in download_one
    items = self.fill_queue()
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/FlickrDownloader.py", line 163, in fill_queue
    raise Exception("Flickr returned error message: " + resp["message"])
Exception: Flickr returned error message: Invalid API Key (Key has expired)

after i go to

Code: Select all

featherpad ~/.config/variety/variety.conf

and delete line with disabled Flickr API

Code: Select all

  src4 = True...

then output change to this

Code: Select all

demo@mx1:~
$ variety
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 04:12:38,628: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
WARNING: 2025-06-04 04:12:38,665: create_menu() 'Variety Slideshow is not installed. This is an optional extension adding pan-and-zoom slideshows to Variety: see https://github.com/peterlevi/variety-slideshow for details'
Property "/backdrop/screen0/monitor0/workspace0/last-image" does not exist on channel "xfce4-desktop".
ERROR: 2025-06-04 04:12:38,765: get_desktop_wallpaper() 'Exception when calling get_wallpaper script'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 2709, in get_desktop_wallpaper
    output = subprocess.check_output(script).decode().strip()
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 466, in check_output
    return run(*popenargs, stdout=PIPE, timeout=timeout, check=True,
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/subprocess.py", line 571, in run
    raise CalledProcessError(retcode, process.args,
subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command '/home/demo/.config/variety/scripts/get_wallpaper' returned non-zero exit status 1.
ERROR: 2025-06-04 04:13:00,211: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)
ERROR: 2025-06-04 04:13:31,757: server_options_thread() 'Could not fetch Variety serverside options'
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 971, in json
    return complexjson.loads(self.text, **kwargs)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/__init__.py", line 346, in loads
    return _default_decoder.decode(s)
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 337, in decode
    obj, end = self.raw_decode(s, idx=_w(s, 0).end())
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3.11/json/decoder.py", line 355, in raw_decode
    raise JSONDecodeError("Expecting value", s, err.value) from None
json.decoder.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/VarietyWindow.py", line 1084, in server_options_thread
    self.server_options = Util.fetch_json(VarietyWindow.SERVERSIDE_OPTIONS_URL)
                          ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/variety/Util.py", line 684, in fetch_json
    return Util.request(url, data, **request_kwargs).json()
           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/models.py", line 975, in json
    raise RequestsJSONDecodeError(e.msg, e.doc, e.pos)
requests.exceptions.JSONDecodeError: Expecting value: line 1 column 1 (char 0)

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 5:11 am**

Did you copy over the variety config file from a previous install? It might be holding some existing setting or a "now playing" of a wallpaper/display setting that doesn't exist anymore.

I'm asking because, for instance, I believe xfce panel is now gtk3. I see one error message refers to xfce panel and gtk2

Code: Select all

.../usr/share/themes/Greybird-dark-mx/gtk-2.0/apps/xfce-panel.rc:7: error: unexpected keyword 'bg', expected string constant

Might the errors be also related to variety's sys-tray icon that is supposed to show up on the panel? From what I understand quite a few of of these systray icons tend to be written in python? MX's apt-notifier is python-based.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 5:15 am**

Hi, no,

it is pure VM > MX.iso > MX_Live > MX Package installer > Variety > Error

nothing more, nothing less, check yourself

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 8:34 am**

I think I've run into this. the "stable" repo version of variety doesn't work well with Xfce 4.20's changed method of applying wallpapers.

so the only thing is to see if the new version in test works, or else I guess I will need to remove it from popular apps.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 8:57 am**

dolphin_oracle wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 8:34 am I think I've run into this. the "stable" repo version of variety doesn't work well with Xfce 4.20's changed method of applying wallpapers.

so the only thing is to see if the new version in test works, or else I guess I will need to remove it from popular apps.

Maybe it only affects a fresh install of xfce4.20 [added - in MX23.6]?

All my old MX23 and Manjaro XFCE installs that have organically been upgraded to XFCE 4.20 all still have variety working normally.

Variety is also working on our internal alpha2.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 9:42 am**

I have also just installed variety in an existing MX23.4 Virtualbox VM that I've updated regularly (so it's on xfce 4.20).

Variety works in this VM as well. [tested by enabling Bing Photo of the Day]

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:21 pm**

I use it in KDE. Works for me.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:36 pm**

duane wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 1:21 pm I use it in KDE. Works for me.

Yes, I also use KDE, and it's working fine there. At least the latest version from the test repo, as I install those as soon as I package them, just to see how much smoke comes out. The OP seems to be sticking with the older Debian Bookworm 0.8.10, and it has several major dependencies that are only recommended, so do not get installed.

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 5:00 pm**

@Stevo
from https://mxlinux.org/

Code: Select all

MX Linux – Xfce is our flagship.

its good, i like it

Posted: **Wed Jun 04, 2025 5:25 pm**

Can you try the newer Variety from our test repository instead. It's easy to install with MXPI/ MX Test Repo tab.

Posted: **Thu Jun 12, 2025 9:10 am**

Variety 0.8.10-1 is working with no issues for me: Xfce v: 4.20.0 tk: Gtk v: 3.24.38 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm v: 4.20.0 vt: 7
dm: LightDM v: 1.32.0 Distro: MX-23.6_x64 Libretto Jan 12 2025 base: Debian GNU/Linux 12
(bookworm)

MX Linux Forum

variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]

Re: variety [wallpaper] doesnt work [MX Package Installer]