Chapter 22. Managing user sessions

Procedure

1. Create a .desktop file in the /etc/xdg/autostart/ directory, such as /etc/xdg/autostart/nautilus.desktop. Enter the following content in the file:

   [Desktop Entry]
   Type=Application
   Name=Files
   Exec=/usr/bin/nautilus -n
   OnlyShowIn=GNOME;
   X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true

   • Replace Files with the name of the application.
   • Replace /usr/bin/nautilus -n with the command that starts the application. Use the full file path.

2. Optional: Configure the application to start only when a selected GSettings key is enabled. GNOME then runs the application automatically if the key’s value is true. If the key’s value changes in the running session, GNOME starts or stops the application to match the new value.

   Add the following line in the .desktop file:

   AutostartCondition=GSettings org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons

   • Replace org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons with the GSettings schema and key that the automatic start depends on.

Procedure

1. Create a local database for machine-wide settings in the /etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-autologout file:

   [org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/power]
   # Set the timeout to 900 seconds when on mains power
   sleep-inactive-ac-timeout=900
   # Set action after timeout to be logout when on mains power
   sleep-inactive-ac-type='logout'

2. Override the user’s setting, and prevent the user from changing it in the /etc/dconf/db/local.d/locks/autologout file:

   # Lock automatic logout settings
   /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/power/sleep-inactive-ac-timeout
   /org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/power/sleep-inactive-ac-type

3. Update the system databases:

   # dconf update

4. Users must log out and back in again before the system-wide settings take effect.

Procedure

1. Copy the configuration file template:

   # cp /usr/share/accountsservice/user-templates/standard \
        /etc/accountsservice/user-templates/standard

2. Edit the new /etc/accountsservice/user-templates/standard file. On the Session=gnome line, replace gnome with the session that you want to set as the default.

3. Optional: To configure an exception to the default session for a certain user, follow these steps:

   1. Copy the template file to /var/lib/AccountsService/users/user-name:

      # cp /usr/share/accountsservice/user-templates/standard \
           /var/lib/AccountsService/users/user-name

   2. In the new file, replace variables such as ${USER} and ${ID} with the user values.
   3. Edit the Session value.

Procedure

1. Create a local database for machine-wide settings in the /etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-power file including these lines:

   [org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/power]
   idle-dim=true

2. Update the system databases:

   # dconf update

3. Users must log out and back in again before the system-wide settings take effect.

Procedure

1. Create a local database for machine-wide settings in the /etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-power file, as in the following example:

   [org/gnome/settings-daemon/plugins/power]
   idle-brightness=30

   Replace 30 with the integer value you want to use.

2. Update the system databases:

   # dconf update

3. Users must log out and back in again before the system-wide settings take effect.

Procedure

1. Create a local database for machine-wide settings in /etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-session, as in the following example:

   [org/gnome/desktop/session]
   idle-delay=uint32 900

   Replace 900 with the integer value you want to use.

   You must include the uint32 along with the integer value as shown.

2. Update the system databases:

   # dconf update

3. Users must log out and back in again before the system-wide settings take effect.

Procedure

1. Create a local database for system-wide settings in the etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-screensaver file:

   [org/gnome/desktop/session]
   # Set the lock time out to 180 seconds before the session is considered idle
   idle-delay=uint32 180
   [org/gnome/desktop/screensaver]
   # Set this to true to lock the screen when the screensaver activates
   lock-enabled=true
   # Set the lock timeout to 180 seconds after the screensaver has been activated
   lock-delay=uint32 180

   You must include the uint32 along with the integer key values as shown.

2. Override the user’s setting, and prevent the user from changing it in the /etc/dconf/db/local.d/locks/screensaver file:

   # Lock desktop screensaver settings
   /org/gnome/desktop/session/idle-delay
   /org/gnome/desktop/screensaver/lock-enabled
   /org/gnome/desktop/screensaver/lock-delay

3. Update the system databases:

   # dconf update

4. Users must log out and back in again before the system-wide settings take effect.

Procedure

1. To start the recording, press the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R shortcut.

   When the recorder is capturing the screen activity, it displays a red circle in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. To stop the recording, press the Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R shortcut.

   The red circle in the top-right corner of the screen disappears.

3. Navigate to the ~/Videos directory where you can find the recorded video with a file name that starts with Screencast and includes the date and time of the recording.