change log-in page

[Scott Mazur]

On Tue, 05 Dec 2006 07:48:50 -0500, anthony baldwin wrote
> For some reason, no change I make to the log-in page from the login 
> manager works.
> Where can I find it to manually alter it?
> 
> If it makes any difference, I am using the Ichthux version of 
> Kubuntu, and the Ichthux log in page is stuck in it´s particular configuration.
> I´m trying to change to an option that lists users (like ye olde 
> Microslop log in page) to facilitate log in for the Mrs., who is 
> pretty knew to Linux, and my 7 year old linux veteran 
> daughter(although, she, like me, is more accustomed to Fedora).

Sounds to me like the classic kdm theme problem.  The kdm config file
(/etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc) contains an option to set a 'theme' for the kdm login
manager.  Kubuntu, like nearly every other distro, pre-builds this with a
configuration for a Kubuntu login theme.

The problem is, the KDE login manager preferences tool has no way to change or
remove the theme.  In fact the login preferences tool seems to have no
knowlege of themes at all.

The theme over-rides your choices for login screen.  So no matter what you
change, the login screen is always going to look like the Kubutu default.

To disable the theme, you have to manually edit the /etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc file.
 Find the line that says 'UseTheme=true' and change it to 'UseTheme=false'. 
You'll probably have to logout and restart the xserver to make this current
(ctrl-alt-backspace).

This is not a Kubuntu specific problem.  I see it in other distros as well. 
It's a sad state.  I too want to have icons for users on the login page (my
kids know what icon to click to login into the kids user without having to
type it in).  I'm also sick and tired of having to manually turn themes off in
the kdmrc file.

Does anyone have any more information as to why:

A) The KDE login manager preferences has no ablilty change the theme?
B) Why there's even a theme option available to kdm if there's no (A)?
C) Why themes don't respect the 'list user' options?

Scott

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