Is there a better way to get rid of desktop icons?

Question

My project has two things left: 1. get rid of desktop icons during the script 2. Ensure that windows don't open during the script.
so for part one, I have the following:
do shell script "defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool " & false
the problem is I can't change the desktop background picture when I use the above script. Without it, I can but I have icons.
The second issue is how I set up a handler in the event that windows open during the script, blocking the desktop-image message. I want to close all windows and keep them closed during the script. Here is what I have so far, but it doesn't work:
on exists windows of processes where the visible is true
tell application "Finder"
set willey to get (windows where the (exists) is true) of processes where the visible is true
set the exists of willey to false
end tell
end exists
PowerBook G4 1.67 Ghz   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

Answer 1

Even if you manage to change the static desktop picture, you're going to have to find a way to disable the dynamic desktop picture that many users will have activated. This "Change picture" feature is controlled by Dock.app, not Finder. If you quit or kill the Dock, the system automatically respawns it ad infinitum. The only way around that is to temporarily move or rename dock.app, which requires administrator privileges. I'm not particularly inclined to offer my password to prank apps, are you?
If I were you I'd take a look at Salling Clicker. I know that sounds crazy, but hear me out: In the Salling distro there is a neat freeware FBA called "SEC Helper" that lets you post Growl-like notices to the user, without the hassle of relying on a Growl install. It has a full-screen option that you can set up just like a slideshow.
click here to open this script in your editor<pre style="font-family: 'Monaco', 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; overflow:auto; color: #222; background: #DDD; padding: 0.2em; font-size: 10px; width:400px">tell application "SEC Helper"
"/Library/Desktop Pictures/Plants/Petals.jpg"
show screen picture data (read (POSIX file result as alias) as picture) with full screen
end tell</pre>