Installing and Enabling Screensaver

Ubuntu is becoming a right royal pain with regard to useability. The screensaver is not enabled by default. Here's what you need to do to enable it:

1. Install XScreensaver

  sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra xscreensaver-screensaver-bsod -y

2. Uninstall Gnome Screensaver

  sudo apt-get remove gnome-screensaver -y

3. To start XScreenSaver at startup you need to create a startup rule. To open the startup applications preferences window press the SuperKey and type: startup applications. To add the rule follow these steps:

Click on the Add button Enter a name for the rule Enter the following command in the command field:

   xscreensaver -nosplash

Extra:

If you want to be able to lock the screen with the screensaver,

1. Go to "System Settings" -> "Keyboard" -> "Shortcuts" tab

2. Click the "+" symbol to add a new shortcut.

Give it a name and add this as the command:

  /usr/bin/xscreensaver-command -activate

3. Click where is says "Disabled" and then enter your keyboard shortcut. I use "Ctrl Alt L".