One of my favourite tricks in Windows Explorer was to right-click and drag a file or files. On release of the button it gives you the option to copy, move, create a shortcut or cancel. I missed this since I switched to Linux.
But now I accidentally came across the Ubuntu alternative (or should that be Gnome alternative?): use the mouse wheel to drag and drop your files. On releasing it you get a similar options menu, but with an additional entry: Set as Background.
Set as Background doesn’t work when you drag a file onto a folder or a Nautilus bookmark. To use it just wheel-click an image file, drag it slighty to one side and release.
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