# Screensaver

Screensavers are nearly old as computers. Initially, they were meant keep images from being 'burned' onto the monitor screen. This would ruin the monitor. Today, technology has advanced enough that images no longer get burnt on your monitor. However, people enjoy using screensavers because they look cool and entertain visitors.

Mate uses either the xscreensaver or the mate-screensaver programs to display screensavers. By default, Mate comes with dozens of screensavers. These can all be configured in the Settings Capplet in Mate Control Center.

## Configuration

The Screensaver Capplet interface is broken into two main sections:

Screensaver Options

  Located on the left side of the screen, the screensaver half lets you configure properties that affect your screensaver's behavior.

Screensaver Preview

  The right half of the capplet is both a preview of your selected screensaver.

### Setting Up a Screensaver

Chances are, you'll want to setup your screensaver. Below are the steps to setup your screensaver:

1. You can choose different modes to display your screensaver:

   Disable Screen Saver

     This will turn off your screensaver entirely.

   Black screen only

     Your monitor will display only a black image instead of an animation. This is good for helping to conserve power.

   One Screen Saver

     Displays only one screensaver while the screensaver is active.

   Random Screen Saver

     The screensaver program can display screensavers in a random fashion. This option displays screensavers randomly. It also puts checkboxes next to the screensavers, so you can choose which to display.

2. Select the screensaver you wish to use.

3. Set the time preferences. The available options are:

   Blank After

     How long to wait before your screensavers start.

   Cycle After

     If you're using multiple screensavers, set the time which to change your screensavers.

   Lock Screen After

     By enabling screen locking, you can help increase physical security. This requires that a user must enter a password before the screensaver stops, allowing them to use the system again.

Below the preview window are two buttons: Preview and Settings.

By clicking the Preview button, you'll be able to see what the screensaver will look like at full screen. Hit any key to close the screensaver when you're viewing it.

Settings lets you configure each individual screensaver. The contents of the Settings button is beyond the scope of this document.

## The Advanced Tab

The Advanced tab holds a whole plethora of options available to you.

The Advanced tab is broken into four sections:

Image Manipulation

  Your screensaver can take your desktop and temporarily run image manipulations on your desktop as your screensaver.

Display Power Management

  Your system can help save power by changing your monitor's status.

Diagnostics

  Sometimes, your system may have problems because of your screensaver. Use this section to enable information to be displayed to help you fix your problem.

Colormaps

### The Image Manipulation Section

Your screensaver has the ability take your desktop and temporarily run image manipulations on your desktop as your screensaver. Several options exist for you to setup your image manipulation. Select the method of image manipulation you wish to use.

If you don't want your screensaver to use any image manipulations, deselect all the options.

### The Display Power Management Section

Power management can help conserve power by setting modes of your monitor. Select the timings for the modes to be set in this section.

### The Diagnostics Section

Sometimes, your system may have problems because of your screensaver. Use this section to enable information to be displayed to help you fix your problem.

These won't give you a straight forward answer to your problem. However, your system adminstrator may find this to be useful information in fixing your problem.

### The Colormaps Section

Colormaps allow some simple color options to be changed. Set your color options here.