I am wondering if there is any way to detect system wide events under linux such as:

• user un/locked session
• user logs in/out
• machine sent to suspend
• screensaver goes on
• and the monitor switches off due inactivity

I need this for a Qt project where i programmatically react to such events, but i am uncertain how and where to start. Maybe there is an api that i dont know yet.

Any hints? I would appreciate any help!

2 Answers

gnome-screensaver-command

will give you information about the screen lock events

gnome-screensaver-command -q | grep "is active"

if the command returns any result, then the screen is locked. You can lock the screen with gnome-screensaver-command -l

Dont have any info abt suspend state

1

You can use the dbus API to track this information.

See some examples which use the dbus-monitor command are here: Way to measure computer usage via screensaver active/not active time? - Ask Ubuntu.

E.g.:

dbus-monitor 'path=/org/gnome/ScreenSaver, member=ActiveChanged'

This can also be done directly from c++, in a python program, etc., using the dbus API directly.

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Sign up using Google Sign up using Facebook Sign up using Email and Password Submit

Post as a guest

Post Your Answer Discard

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy