HOWTO_get_2_users_on_1_pc

Let multiple users work on 1 pc is possible with several solutions:

Multiseat: see HOWTO Multiseat X
Remote: see diskless nodes, LTSP or use X via Xdmcp
Non simultaneous (see below)

1 Non simultaneous (only one user at one time)
- 1.1 GNOME / gdm configuration for multiple sessions
- 1.2 KDE / kdm for multiple sessions
  - 1.2.1 KDE and artsd
2 References

Non simultaneous (only one user at one time)

Logout and relogin as different user is really annoying, so instead we just start an additional instance of X for the next user and we won't need to logout. The drawback is however, simultaneous work is not possible.

We can do this straight from commandline typing startx -- :1, startx -- :2 and so on.
Instead we may use a login manager as gdm (GNOME) or kdm (KDE). See below for details...
- Qingy allows multiple instances of X and offers a graphical login

GNOME / gdm configuration for multiple sessions

I use gdm to start up 2 logins on vt7 and vt8. Just need to add an extra server in the [servers] section of the gdm config file

File: /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf

[servers]
# These are the standard servers.  You can add as many you want here
# and they will always be started.  Each line must start with a unique
# number and that will be the display number of that server.  Usually just
# the 0 server is used.
0=Standard
1=Standard     # add this to start the 2nd login

KDE / kdm for multiple sessions

File: /usr/kde/3.5/share/config/kdm/kdmrc

# List of permanent displays. Displays with a hostname are foreign. A display
# class may be specified separated by an underscore.
# Default is ":0"
StaticServers=:0
# List of on-demand displays. See StaticServers for syntax.
# Default is ""
ReserveServers=:1,:2,:3

StaticServers are available on startup, while ReserveServers are only available on request. To request a reserved server, use K-Menu -> Switch User -> Start New Session.