HOWTO: Replace gnome-screensaver with xscreensaver

**n00bWillingToLearn** · June 16th, 2006

This is probably a stupid questions but the gnome screensaver FAQ says:

Why gnome-screensaver, what happened to xscreensaver?

gnome-screensaver is a new screensaver that can replace xscreensaver. It is designed to integrate well with the desktop and provide a control interface that is desktop neutral. It simplifies and streamlines the experience for the user and provides more capability for the system administrator and vendor.
It is designed to support:

a desktop neutral control interface via DBus
a desktop neutral and standard way to install and manage screensaver themes
switching users directly from the unlock dialog
allowing a system administrator to set a mandatory policy for any setting
a secure separation of user input processing and authentication from the screen locking window
a separation between the screensaver theme engine and the theme settings
integration with the desktop (themes, fonts, toolkit)
translation into many languages by the GNOME Translation Project
instantly applying settings changes

Does "allowing a system administrator to set a mandatory policy for any setting" mean that the Ubuntu devs could have just turned off the extra features and they can be turned back on, or is it really impossible to get all the features of xscreensaver in gnome-screensaver.

**ayoli** · June 16th, 2006

if you mean editing the screensavers i guess it possible by editing the right .desktop file in /usr/share/gnome-screensaver/themes/
but for me the most missing feature in gnome-screensaver is the fade in/out.

**23meg** · June 16th, 2006

Does "allowing a system administrator to set a mandatory policy for any setting" mean that the Ubuntu devs could have just turned off the extra features and they can be turned back on, or is it really impossible to get all the features of xscreensaver in gnome-screensaver.

No, it doesn't mean that; it means the system administrator can set a global screensaver policy that affects all users.

**23meg** · June 19th, 2006

Update: I posted another guide for adjusting screensaver settings in Dapper without replacing gnome-screensaver altogether. I prefer the method described in that guide to this one, but your mileage may vary. Both have their pros and cons so make sure you check out both before applying the instructions.

Check it out here:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=198809

**Shay Stephens** · June 19th, 2006

I used synaptic to remove gnome screen saver and install xscreensaver. It gave the creepy warning that desktop would be uninstalled, and in the past I have avoided doing that but this time I threw caution to the wind and went with it.

End result, gnome screensaver is gone, xscreensaver is running, LCD monitor powers down properly, and I still have my desktop

**ayoli** · June 19th, 2006

Originally Posted by Shay Stephens

I used synaptic to remove gnome screen saver and install xscreensaver. It gave the creepy warning that desktop would be uninstalled, and in the past I have avoided doing that but this time I threw caution to the wind and went with it.

End result, gnome screensaver is gone, xscreensaver is running, LCD monitor powers down properly, and I still have my desktop

ubuntu-desktop package seems to be safely removable, but could cause pb with upgrades, if new packages are added to the ubuntu-desktop you're will not be able to have them installed with a dist-upgrade.
cheers

**enopepsoo** · June 25th, 2006

cool tutorial, man!

**stanz** · June 25th, 2006

Originally Posted by ayoli

if you mean editing the screensavers i guess it possible by editing the right .desktop file in /usr/share/gnome-screensaver/themes/

Geezz...I went to the files...How does one edit files like that?

**ayoli** · June 26th, 2006

Originally Posted by stanz

Geezz...I went to the files...How does one edit files like that?

in each desktop file you'll find a exec line, for example /usr/share/gnome-screensaver/themes/antspotlight.desktop got a line:

Code:

Exec=antspotlight -root

where you can give more options to tweak this screensaver if needed, there's a manpage wich tells:

Code:

antspotlight   [-display  host:display.screen]  [-window]  [-root]  [-install]  [-visual visual] [-delay microseconds] [-fps]

I guess most of screensavers got their manpage.
so, it's not a very intuitive method, that's one of the reasons why I prefer xscreensaver (the other is the fade potion ).
edit: 23meg as made a guide for that.
regards.

**23meg** · June 26th, 2006

In a new guide I described a more convenient way to figure out screensaver options through xscreensaver; check this out:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=198809