Ubuntu Wiki

• Launchpad Entry: https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/desktop-karmic-gdmconfig

• Created: Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:23:00 +1000 by RobertAncell

• Contributors: RobertAncell

• Packages affected: gdm

Summary

Since the transition from GDM 2.20 to 2.26 there is no longer a graphical facility to configure preferences for GDM.

Ubuntu bug: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm/+bug/395299

GNOME bug: http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=587750

GNOME task to add background setting to appearance applet: http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=536531

Rationale

Without a tool an average user will not be able to change the login settings from the default.

Use cases

• Mike wants to have his user automatically log in
• Jim wants to change the background of the login screen

Scope

The changes will involve

• Producing patches to implement the user interface

Design

Option A

• Produce a stand-alone gdmsetup tool with the following options:
  • Default user
  • Login delay
  • Background

Option B

• Modify the "Users and Groups" tool to be able to set the default user and login delay

• Modify the "Appearance" tool to be able to set the login background (http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=536531)

Implementation

• Option A chosen for first release to provide functionality in time for Karmic
• Implemented in C (match existing GDM code)
• GTK+ GUI

• Use PolicyKit for authorisation

CategorySpec

Comments

• - BaptisteMilleMathias: GDMConfigureTool should also permit to change the GTK+ theme used. Perhaps a specific tab will be required for theming parameters.