Commands Reference, Volume 6

xss Command

Purpose

Improves the security of unattended workstations.

Syntax

xss [ -e CommandString ] [ -timeout Seconds ] [ -display DisplayPtr ] [ -v ] [ -fg Color ] [ -bg Color ] [ -geometry wxh+x+y ]

The xss command works with the newly added Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Screen Saver Extensions in order to implement a user controllable screen saver/lock. This command is designed to improve the security of unattended workstations.

The xss command executes a user-specified command string when it receives a screen saver timeout message, or when the user activates the pushbutton. When no user-specified command is given, the xss command defaults to the xlock command.

Note: The xss command only uses the newly added MIT Screen Saver Extensions. The xss command does not work on an older X server, or when using an older X extension library.

Flags

-e CommandString	Sets the xss command to execute when either the screen saver times out, or the user activates the pushbutton. Note that if the CommandString parameter value is longer than one word, it must be surrounded by " " (double quotations).
-timeout Seconds	Sets the number of seconds of user inactivity before the screen saver times out, and causes the xss command to run the CommandString parameter.
-display DisplayPtr	Sets the connection to the X11 display.
-v	Turns on verbose mode.
-fg Color	Sets the foreground color of the pushbutton.
-bg Color	Sets the background color of the pushbutton.
-geometry wxh+x+y	Specifies the size and location of the client window.

Examples

When running remotely and using the -display flag for the xss command, remember that you may also have to use the -display flag option for the command that will be executed by the xss command. See the following running remote example:

Running remote:

xss -display myhost:0 -e "xlock -remote -display myhost:0"