GNOME notes

GDM

/etc/init.d/gdm, /etc/init/gdm.conf: these two files are used to start gdm (actually gdm-binary).

Default display manager is stored here: /etc/X11/default-display-manager

GDM configuration: http://library.gnome.org/admin/gdm/2.32/gdm.html#configuration

Tools: gdmsetup

/etc/gdm

/user/share/gdm/

After the user logins in, gnome-session is invoked.

http://library.gnome.org/admin/system-admin-guide/stable/sessions-1.html.en

man gnome-session

Default session is specified at /desktop/gnome/session/default_session.

Use gconf-editor to view value of /desktop/gnome/session/default_session. In my case the value is "gnome-settings-daemon".
/usr/lib/gnome-settings-daemon/gnome-settings-daemon --gconf-prefix=/apps/gdm/simple-greeter/settings-manager-plugins. The description of option "--gconf-prefix" is "GConf prefix from which to load plugin settings"

 

Some resources:

http://live.gnome.org/SessionManagement/GnomeSession

http://standards.freedesktop.org/desktop-entry-spec/latest/

Autostart-spec:  http://standards.freedesktop.org/autostart-spec/autostart-spec-latest.html

http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/xdg/2007-January/007436.html

Autostart apps are specified in directory /etc/xdg/autostart/, ~/.config/autostart/

 

Use /usr/bin/gnome-session-properties to set session properties (e.g. autostart programs). Those changes are specific to a user.