pam gnome-screensaver advice request

Goal:
-----
When using gnome-screensaver I would like a simple unlock dialog that
prompts for both the user name and password. It should not show the
current user name. If the (user,pair) authenticates, the current user
desktop is unlocked and the applications are again visible. The unlock
(user,password) pair need not be the owner of the desktop.

Background:
-----------
I am creating an information kiosk.

On power-up it auto-starts a number of graphical applications. It then
locks the screen with gnome-screensaver.

There exists a set of (user,password) pairs that should be able to
unlock the screen and see the currently running applications.

After one user authenticates with their (user, password) pair, the user
locks the screen with either the lock command or due to a screensaver
timeout.

Another user can then walk up to the kiosk, unlock the screen with their
specific (user,password) pair, check the system status, and then leave.

Continue with other (user,password) pairs as necessary.

Current Status :
----------------
It looks like Fedora 7 will be the basic platform. I am using FC6 for now.

Auto-login, starting the apps, locking and unlocking the screen with the
auto-start (user,password) are all working.

However the dialog that pops up to unlock the screen shows the
auto-login user name and prompts for a password.

So far I have tried adding "user1" and "user2" using the -o option to
useradd (giving them the same UID/GID as the auto-start account) and
then setting "user_switch_enabled" for gnome-screensaver.

Unfortunately this is not enough:

1) Actually switching users only shows "other UID" users in the
selection list, not the "sibling UID users".

2) Switching to a "other UID" user creates a new Desktop for the other
UID, which is as expected, but not desired. Useful for testing though.

3) Switching users again from an "other UID" shows all the "sibling UID"
accounts in the list. Selecting one of the users (but not the
auto-login user) gets to the auto-login desktop configuration without
the auto started applications visible.

It appears I will have to modify the gnome-screensaver-dialog and
possibly pam to get this to work.

Before continuing I thought I would ask here for advice or suggestions.

Thanks,
John
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: How can a User force logoff of another User
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  • Re: Machine shuts down without warning when Screensaver is unlocked
    ... Workstation shuts down when trying to unlock. ... Wonder if you have seen this before and might have a fix for that (We have ... Password protected Screensaver goes off, User wants to unlock, presses ... we had it the first time after searching for a few weeks together with ...
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  • RE: pam gnome-screensaver advice request
    ... Subject: pam gnome-screensaver advice request ... The unlock ... locks the screen with either the lock command or due to a screensaver ... Actually switching users only shows "other UID" users in the ...
    (GNOME)
  • Re: How can I allow screensaver unlocking by root?
    ... where the root passwd can unlock any user's screen saver. ... If I am the root passwd owner, I want to be able to get on a machine without having to destroy parts of it. ... How can I allow screensaver unlocking by root? ...
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