Lock Screen (Screensaver) - Add menu option to prevent dimming / darkening

[Reelix]

As it stands, when the lock screen is activated, a dimming / darkening overly effect is applied when the user is required to enter their password.

This effect is not always wanted, especially if the user has a vibrant background, as the switch from dim to vibrant can be jarring.

Whilst there is a current workaround, this is an extremely hacky way to do this, especially for a user less familiar with coding.

I propose that the option to Enable / Disable this effect be added to either the Settings or Customize effect in the Screensaver settings window.

[cplittlfield]

Interesting. I see obscuring the screen contents as the primary function of the Lock Desktop feature, since it enables the user to step away from the computer for a moment without having to close down windows containing confidential information. If I don't mind people seeing what's on my screens, I don't bother to lock the desktop.

On the other hand, I can see the value of protecting the computer from random input by cats, even in the absence of a need to protect confidential information.

[Reelix]

This is less about the obscuring of the screen contents, and more about the dimming functionality when entering the password.

1.) Press Control+Alt+L to lock your screen
2.) Notice the screen is locked (background) image
3.) Move your mouse
4.) Notice the dim effect when the mouse is moved <----

[cplittlfield]

The behavior I notice is that a password entry box gets added to the screen. So do I understand correctly that you are complaining that the screen gets even darker when the password box appears? If so, can you elaborate on what about that behavior is causing you a problem?

Myself, I never really noticed that extra darkening before, until you pointed it out.

[Reelix]

The dimming with the password box is actually what happens if you interact with your screen post-locking. This effect (Along with the password entry box) can be cancelled to return to the default lock screen with escape which just shows your background (And any additional custom configuration options).

The dimming itself only happens when you interact with the lock screen (Eg: Move your mouse) which then dims the screen, and displays the password box to prompt, so you go you go Bright (Default) -> Dim (Enter Pass) -> Bright (Unlocked), which can be rather jarring (This can be greatly enhanced for demonstration purposes if you slowly tap the Escape key whilst the screen is locked which toggles between dimming and undimming as it cancels the password box - Particularly jarring if done in a darkened room with a bright screen).

I'm proposing that a toggle be added to remove the intermediary dimming effect.

[cplittlfield]

That makes sense. I myself don't find it particularly jarring, but I've had time to become accustomed to it.

That said, it does seem easily changeable. Myself, I don't see any reason why the screen needs to go blacker in order for a password to be entered. It seems more like a design feature than a necessity. Though the devs might see things differently.

There is probably a script that could be altered, somewhere on your system, but I don't know Python, JS, or CSS and so can't help with that. And in any case, the script, if it could be found, would still be vulnerable to being over-written by updates.

[mtwebster]

linuxmint/cinnamon-screensaver@d7e4159

[cplittlfield]

Thank you!