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c/til · by silverchase@sh.itjust.works · 209d

TIL the Windows 7 default wallpaper was created at a resolution of 10800×6750. The size of the source file is 556 MB.

https://windowswallpaper.miraheze.org/wiki/Harmony

In 2021, Anderson described it as "one of the most insane files I ever had to work on"

Also check out the linked gallery showing the WIP versions of the wallpaper!

Screenshot of Photoshop, showing the image size settings, with the huge resolution and file size

222 points · 16 comments · view on lemmy.world

16 Comments

kadu@scribe.disroot.org · 47 pts · 209d (2 replies)

The version featured in Windows 7 Starter was also made by Chuck Anderson and Erik Attkisson, but features a heavily simplified appearance compared to the original; it features fewer blades of grass and lines, while the Windows logo is simply a white-light blue radial gradient as opposed to being colorful.

It also served as Starter's only wallpaper, and unlike previous Starter SKUs of Windows, it cannot be changed due to internal product policy restrictions.

Imagine using an operating system that treats you as a hostage on your own PC because you gave the company money, but not enough money

silverchase@sh.itjust.works · 32 pts · 209d (1 reply)

There are fewer blades of grass because you're even less free

bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de · 2 pts · 208d

If ever there was a better "grass is greener" metaphor I don't know it.

vithigar@lemmy.ca · 44 pts · 209d (1 reply)

I enjoy that the windows 10 default background was a composite photograph, not CG.

https://windowswallpaper.miraheze.org/wiki/Hero

joelfromaus@aussie.zone · 15 pts · 209d

Holy effort Batman! 30+ people and “Over 3000 images in roughly 9K resolution were captured using a Phase One camera system” used in the production of that one image.

chirospasm@lemmy.ml · 33 pts · 209d

This is super interesting! For one of my jobs, I ended up having to make the 'just right' sized wallpapers for hundreds and hundreds of differently sized screens. It had to fit giant 80+ inch TVS and small tablets, alike, and not have text on it appear 'blurry' one any one screen. DPI was super important, as were dimensions.

This file size hits home.

trashboat@piefed.social · 23 pts · 209d (3 replies)

TIL there’s a Windows wallpaper wiki!

silverchase@sh.itjust.works · 16 pts · 209d (2 replies)

There are some really interesting articles! The Autumn wallpaper from Windows XP had people trying to figure out its origins.

zeezee@slrpnk.net · 8 pts · 208d (1 reply)

And here it is in full 4200x2800 quality 🤩

batmite8675309@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 208d

It looks like one of the posters for "When Harry met Sally"

infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net · 12 pts · 209d (2 replies)

...Why tho

LincolnsDogFido@lemmy.zip · 8 pts · 208d (1 reply)

Because sometimes its better to not ask if you can or should and instead try. It was obviously popular enough that it still has a soft spot in many tech enthusiasts' minds. And arguably its the element of any OS that you encounter the most. Going from your home computer to even just a computer at the public library, one thing was almost guaranteed to be the same and that's the desktop background.So why not make it really high quality? They had no idea how far resolution would come and what would end up being sufficient, but because of their decision, even now people seek out that image for their desktops.

int_not_found@feddit.org · 3 pts · 208d

So why not make it really high quality? They had no idea how far resolution would come

Well If you think about it. The latest release of Win 7 happened on 08. Feb 2023. 8k Screens are a thing at that point.

The pixel count of this resolution is 72.900.000 pixels. A 8k Screen has around 33 Million Pixels. They were not far off with their estimation.

BigTrout75@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 209d

Sounds raw

stupidcasey@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 209d

Seems excessive even for high budget films, billboard's or government surveillance satellites.

B0rax@feddit.org · 2 pts · 209d

I really like the win7 beta background (with the betta fish):

https://windowswallpaper.miraheze.org/wiki/Img24_(Windows_7_Beta)