Why does Linux Mint have a separate lock screen from the login screen?

[Positron]

Just curious. I noticed that when you lock your screen on Linux Mint Cinnamon, it doesn't take you back to the login screen that you see right after booting up your computer (LightDM) but instead takes you to a different lock screen. If you want to switch users, you are taken back to LightDM.

This seems to be different from the way that other distributions do it. On Ubuntu, when you lock your screen, you are taken back to the desktop manager (or at least that appears to be the case, maybe they just created a lock screen that looks identical to GNOME Display Manager).

Is there any particular reason for the way that Linux Mint does it? I would've thought that there would be no point in spending time developing a separate lock screen. Maybe using this separate lock screen allows you to lock and unlock your computer faster than if the user was taken back to the desktop manager every time...?

[argentwolf]

To me it simply makes logical sense, one informs that no users is logged into the system, and the other notifies that there are user(s) already logged in.

[billyswong]

I think it is more like a historical habit. Early screensaver program was written without dependency on fast user switching capacity. So it remained so in Cinnamon / MATE / Xfce.

[t42]

...about historical aspect, I just locked screen in Cinnamon 21.1 and ... TTY was not locked, though cinnamon-screensaver should lock it. Interesting, is TTY is still locked in mate-screensaver.

[t42]

TTY was not locked, though cinnamon-screensaver should lock it

If someone want really lock their session, there is physlock

Code: Select all

sudo apt install physlock

Running physlock in terminal or using ALT+F2 will prevent any attempts of intrusion with TTY.

[N2LM21]

To me it simply makes logical sense, one informs that no users is logged into the system, and the other notifies that there are user(s) already logged in.

What I find awkward as a newbie, is how to customize both consistently. Login screen can be customized going to the right setting window (GUI), but, as far as I understood from another thread, for the lock screen, you need to modify some configuration files (which I do not find easy as a newbie, and due to my limited knowledge, I have not yet dared to test)

[argentwolf]

Sorry, I honestly don't concern myself (never really looked at it before) with the appearance of the screen(s) before I log in, and usually walk away once I've lock the screen.
Heck, while I do have hundreds of wallpapers (721) for my dual monitor (3840x1080) desktop (which changes every 3 mins.). I rarely get to see them for all my open windows across 3 workspaces.
Anyway, welcome to Linux Mint and the Linux Mint Forums, a tinkerers virtual wonderland with like minded swashbuckler's who sincerely attempt to help and learn.

[billyswong]

...about historical aspect, I just locked screen in Cinnamon 21.1 and ... TTY was not locked, though cinnamon-screensaver should lock it. Interesting, is TTY is still locked in mate-screensaver.

Mate-screensaver doesn't lock other TTYs either.

[billyswong]

Another interesting aspect:

Currently there is no screensaver setting / power management setting dedicated for login screen, at least none exposed in GUI configuration. Without such, after the computer enter the login screen, it can no longer apply screensaver setting dedicated for the original login user, and stuck until user come back.

[N2LM21]

Anyway, welcome to Linux Mint and the Linux Mint Forums,

Thank you @argentwolf

(never really looked at it before) with the appearance of the screen(s) before I log in, and usually walk away once I've lock the screen.

I understand, what bothers me is when I come back
The field where I type the password is too small to be conveniently seen (I will not comment on eyesight or screen zoom level... see other discussion from here: viewtopic.php?p=2370907#p2370907 )