XSECURE(l) X Version 11 Release 6 XSECURE(l)
15 Oct 1994
NAME
xsecure - X console locker (may be used with xfishtank)
SYNOPSIS
xsecure [ pid ]
DESCRIPTION
When executed with a process-id, xsecure sends a SIGUSR1 signal to the
process and waits for the user's password to be input. If the process
is xfishtank, the aquarium-window will change its stacking order,
raising itself to the front of all the other windows. xsecure will
then grab the keyboard and mouse and wait for keyboard input.
If the keyboard-input matches the user's password (evaluated after a
newline is entered), xfishtank will revert to its normal behaviour
(running, behind all the other windows) and keyboard & mouse control
will resume.
OPTIONS
None
ARGUMENTS
pid pid is a process-id, see ps(1).
DEFAULTS
If a process is not specified, then xsecure will still lock the
keyboard, but leave the screen visible to all and sundry that like to
snoop.
NOTES
A wrapper may be scripted (possibly called xfishlock) around xsecure
that magically obtains the xfishtank process-id. Something similar to
(under SunOS):
xsecure `ps -agx|grep xfishtank|grep -v grep|grep -v $0|cut -c-5` $*&
or for hpux:
xsecure `ps -agx|grep xfishtank|grep -v grep|grep -v $0|cut -c-6` $*&
SEE ALSO
X(1), xfishtank(l), xscreensaver(l), xlock(l), ps(1), grep(1), cut(1)
- 1 - Formatted: October 29, 2025
XSECURE(l) X Version 11 Release 6 XSECURE(l)
15 Oct 1994
AUTHORS
Walter Milliken, original code for X10
Christopher Lott, enhancements (-r, -c options)
Luis Fernandes, X11 port and xfishtank adaptation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Eric Bina, testing xsecure on additional platforms.
BUGS
Should give some indication that it received the password after
receiving the Return key.
Hitting Return before entering the password is usually a good idea.
If caps lock is hit by mistake you wont get in till you take if off...
then just type in a couple of Carriage Returns.
The screen-blanker doesn't seem to restore itself sometimes (when used
with xfishtank.
THEME
I's the boy that builds the boat
I's the boy that sails her
I's the boy that catches the fish
and takes them home to 'Liza
COPYRIGHT
Copyright 1994, Luis Fernandes.
Permission to use, copy, hack, and distribute this software and its
documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
supporting documentation.
This application is presented as is without any implied or written
warranty.
- 2 - Formatted: October 29, 2025
