LightDM to replace GDM

[Pasi Lallinaho]

On 02/02/2011 09:35 PM, Lionel Le Folgoc wrote:
> Hi,
>
> On Wed, Feb 02, 2011 at 12:50:49PM -0600, Micah Gersten wrote:
>> On 01/25/2011 01:08 PM, Charlie Kravetz wrote:
>>> There is a new application available for Natty, called lightdm. This is
>>> a written from scratch application to replace GDM, the current default
>>> display manager(what many of us non-developers know as the login
>>> screen). lightdm is new, and may have bugs.
>>>
>>> We would like feedback on replacing gdm with lightdm for Natty, knowing
>>> it may still have a few issues. GDM is hard to theme, and not real user
>>> friendly in Xubuntu now. The developer of lightdm is very willing to
>>> work with us on features desired and getting bugs fixed.
>>>
>>> From a user viewpoint, I installed lightdm in place of gdm using natty
>>> in VirtualBox. It worked nicely. More testing would be required, of
>>> couse.
>>>
>>> Thought and opinions on replacing GDM?
>>>
>>>
>> This seems like an easy win in terms of performance for Xubuntu without
>> much sacrifice.  My only question is whether or not the login screen
>> will be configurable like GDM used to be (and still can be if you
>> manually edit the settings).
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Micah
>>
> (I only made quick tests in a virtual machine a few days/weeks ago…)
>
> Currently, there are two themes engines: webkit and gtk. I didn't try
> with webkit, but with gtk, I only had to create two text files, add a
> background picture, and that was it.
>
> There is also a single config file (/etc/lightdm.conf iirc) to set the
> theme and other settings. It's probably as easy as the "old" gdm was.
> However, there is no dialog to edit the settings (yet?).
>
> Best,
> Lionel
>
As this (switch from GDM) has been discussed for releases, I don't know
what is it why the switch shouldn't be made.

I do wholeheartedly think we should switch, since there is not any
bug/lack of feature that is a showstopper. Natty is not LTS, and even if
LightDM did break in a way or another, it's still okay. Things happen.
At least we got testing from a broad audience.

Those who want to edit their login screen, can probably edit a text
file. If not, they probably shouldn't tweak the settings anyway.

-p

-- 
Pasi Lallinaho                              » http://open.knome.fi/
Leader of the Shimmer Project               » http://shimmerproject.org/
Webdesigner, graphic artist, Ubuntu member  » IRC: knome @ freenode