Beyond Linux From Scratch - Version 6.1

Chapter 10. General Utilities

XScreenSaver-4.21

Introduction to XScreenSaver

The XScreenSaver is a modular screen saver and locker for the X Window System. It is highly customizable and allows the use of any program that can draw on the root window as a display mode. The purpose of XScreenSaver is to display pretty pictures on your screen when it is not in use, in keeping with the philosophy that unattended monitors should always be doing something interesting, just like they do in the movies. However, XScreenSaver can also be used as a screen locker, to prevent others from using your terminal while you are away.

Package Information

XScreenSaver Dependencies

Required

bc-1.06 and libglade-2.5.1 (alternatively LessTif-0.94.4 but not recommended)

Optional

libjpeg-6b, GLE, Netpbm, XDaliClock, Linux-PAM-0.80, krb4, and Heimdal-0.7 or MIT krb5-1.4.1

Installation of XScreenSaver

Install XScreenSaver by running the following commands: 

./configure --prefix=/usr --libexecdir=/usr/lib &&
make

Now, as the root user: 

make install

Command Explanations

--with-setuid-hacks: This switch allows some demos to be installed setuid root which is needed in order to ping other hosts.

--enable-locking: This switch provides support for locking the display.

Configuring XScreenSaver

Config Files

/etc/X11/app-defaults/XScreenSaver, ~/.xscreensaver and /etc/pam.d/xscreensaver or /etc/pam.conf

Contents

Installed Programs: xscreensaver, xscreensaver-command, xscreensaver-demo, xscreensaver-getimage, xscreensaver-getimage-file, xscreensaver-getimage-video, xscreensaver-gl-helper, and xscreensaver-text
Installed Libraries: None
Installed Directories: /usr/lib/xscreensaver and /usr/share/xscreensaver

Short Descriptions

xscreensaver

is a screen saver and locker daemon.

xscreensaver-command

controls a running xscreensaver process by sending it client messages.

xscreensaver-demo

is a graphical front-end for setting the parameters used by the background xscreensaver daemon.

xscreensaver-getimage

is a helper program for the xscreensaver modules that manipulate images.

xscreensaver-getimage-file

is a helper program for the xscreensaver modules that manipulate images.

xscreensaver-getimage-video

is a helper program for the xscreensaver modules that manipulate images.

xscreensaver-gl-helper

is a helper program for the xscreensaver OpenGL modules.

xscreensaver-text

prints some text to stdout, for use by screen savers.

Last updated on 2005-08-01 13:29:19 -0600