FC5T3: Why only so few screensavers available to choose in in KDE?

[Jim Cornette]

Jeff Vian wrote:
>
>>>There are 3 additionals RPM available
>>>xscreensaver-extras-4.24-1.1
>>>xscreensaver-gl-extras-4.24-1.1
>>>xscreensaver-base-4.24-1.1
>>
>>xscreensaver-base package helped a lot, thanks!
>>
>>Question still remains: why not all installed (in default install) 
>>screensavers are listed in Control Center?
>>
> 
> 
> The screensavers package used to include all the screensavers and many
> people were having problems because the gl screensavers were causing
> lock-ups on systems that could not run the gl packages in X.
> AIUI, the base package does not have any of the gl screensavers so that
> is avoided. The extras and gl-extras are just that -- additional
> screensavers that some might want.
> 
> I believe there was also a security issue with some of the extras
> screensavers in that they would actually display what was on the desktop
> while using sections of the display as puzzle pieces or morphing them.
> The ability had to be available to NOT allow that type of screensaver
> for organizations with high security requirements.  Separating the
> packages simplifies that.

There is no shortcomings with the xscreensaver program being split into 
three packages. The issue is with the introduction of gnome-screensaver 
which is poorly configurable. (Blank screen, one screensaver, disabled 
or every single screensaver that is available.)

This limits the ability to choose to disable screensavers from a 
selection menu which are completely undesirable, have a potential 
security risk by showing items which are visible if the screensaver was 
not active.

Adding configurability and little "ratings" icons to the 
gnome-screensaver configurator would be alright to have,(Security 
Risk,known Video problems,you really don't want this and on!)
  Not having the ability to control and decide which screensavers you 
want displayed or disabled via gnome-screensaver is no good at all.

Releasing such a poorly configurable program is not a valuable choice.

Jim
>   
> 
>>Is this a bug?
>>
>>Regards,
>>Dariusz
> 
> 


-- 
Well fix that in the next (upgrade, update, patch release, service pack).