Automatic screen lock when leaving desk

[Mel Flynn]

On Tuesday 14 July 2009 07:52:43 Bill Moran wrote:
> In response to Frederique Rijsdijk <frederique at isafeelin.org>:
> > I'm looking for a way to automaticaly lock my X session when I leave my
> > desk. Probably just using 'xlockmore -mode blank' or such. But how to
> > detect?
> >
> > It could be infrared based (heat signature), video based (webcam w/
> > motion detection) or even mechanical (switch in seat? meh..).
> >
> > And how would FreeBSD interface with such device? Most likely via USB,
> > since my lt doesn't have any serial ports.
> >
> > Any ideas? Experience?
>
> Unless your requirements are really as strict as you state, you're probably
> better off just installing xscreensaver and configuring it to lock the
> screen after a reasonable amount of inactivity.

And use xev to figure out the keycode of an unused key on your keyboard you
can easily access (like multimedia keys). Then you can activate it
when leaving your spot or when that creepy guy from accounting tries to
look over your shoulder. You would probably need some window/session manager
that supports "global key shortcuts".

I like the bluetooth idea too, with the caveat that the range might not be
sufficient. There's an article about it here:
<http://johnny.chadda.se/2007/08/09/lock-and-unlock-your-gnome-screensaver-using-your-bluetooth-phone/>

I don't use bluetooth at all, so can't help you with the FreeBSD specifics.
-- 
Mel