Backdrop in Python

#!/usr/bin/python

import os, sys, random, imghdr

# This is a little program I call via cron to change my desktop every
# few minutes.  With no arguments it goes to my directory of backdrop
# images and picks a valid image at random.  If I specify a path and a
# file the program will put it up as the display.

# I don't want to fill up my inbox with emails from cron telling me that
# X isn't running, so I check first.
xisrunning = os.popen("pidof /usr/bin/X11/X").read()

def changebackdrop():
    # The below command works for transparent Eterm or Urxvt terminals,
    # populating their backgrounds with the image they occlude.  xli or
    # xsetroot can be called, but they don't work as desired for
    # transparent terminals.
    command = "/usr/bin/Esetroot"
    # If I was logging into X remotely, this would change.
    commandargs = " -display :0.0 "

    # This is where my backdrops live
    picdir = "/home/willyyam/misc/bmps/"

    if sys.argv[1:]:
        doit = command + commandargs + sys.argv[1]
        os.popen(doit, 'r')
    else:
        files = os.listdir(picdir)
        os.chdir(picdir)
        pics = []
        for file in files:
            # This is a test for valid images - it includes rgb files,
            # which are not supported by my image software, but the
            # error thrown is not terrible - it knows what it can and
            # cannot run.
            if imghdr.what(file):
                pics.append(file)

        randpic = random.choice(pics)
        doit = command + commandargs + picdir + randpic
        os.popen(doit, 'r')

if xisrunning:
    changebackdrop()
else:
    exit

# Copyright 2005 William Witteman