LightDM

LightDM is an open source graphical software that can be used as a greeter/login manage or display manager on any Linux-based operating system that uses the X Window System. LightDM is also known as The Light Display Manager, and it is appreciated by Linux distribution developers, package developers, and system implementors for its well-defined greeter API, which supports multiple graphical user interfaces.

Supports a wide range of desktop environments

Supporting the GNOME, KDE, Razor-Qt, Unity and Elementary desktop environments, the LightDM software integrates well with each of the aforementioned environments via separate installable packages. In addition, all display manager use cases are well supported, backed by plugins where needed. Not to mention that the application provides users with low code complexity and fast performance on all Linux operating systems.

Offers multiple greeter front-ends

At the moment, the following greeter front-ends are offered: GTK+ Greeter, KDE Greeter, Pantheon Greeter, Razor Greeter, and Unity Greeter. However, because LightDM greeters can be written in any toolkit, more will probably be created within the future.

Under the hood

Under the hood, we can mention that the codebase requires few external dependencies, it is standard compliant with PAM, logind, and other similar services, and offers a well defined interface between the user interface and the server.

Compared with GDM

When compared with GDM (GNOME Display Manager), we can immediately notice that the LightDM display manager combines a simpler code base with high-performance and speed. The project can be easily installed, configured and deployed on any other Linux operating system, via the default software repositories or from third-party ones, as long as the desktop environment is supported.

Default in Ubuntu, available on dozens of distros

Canonical selected LightDM as the default login manager for its Ubuntu Linux operating system. It is also used in the Xubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu and Mythbuntu distributions. We recommend LightDM for all Linux users who want a modern, eye-candy and reliable display manager for their Linux distribution. It can easily replace GDM, XDM, KDM, and other similar login managers.

What is new in this release:

• This is the first release in the stable 1.24 series. It contains no changes from 1.22 and is essentially an extension of the support period. This series will be maintained on the lp:lightdm/1.24 branch and trunk (lp: lightdm) will now be used for the unstable 1.25 series.

What is new in version 1.24.0:

• This is the first release in the stable 1.24 series. It contains no changes from 1.22 and is essentially an extension of the support period. This series will be maintained on the lp:lightdm/1.24 branch and trunk (lp: lightdm) will now be used for the unstable 1.25 series.

What is new in version 1.18.0:

• Small documentation fixes

What is new in version 1.16.7:

• Fix dm-tool add-local-seat not working because LightDM is trying to connect with TCP/IP

What is new in version 1.16.6:

• Handle XDMCP Request packet with no addresses.
• Don't start LightDM if the XDMCP server is configured with a key that doesn't exist.
• Add IP addresses to XDMCP log messages.
• Refactor XDMCP error handling.
• Add more tests.

What is new in version 1.16.2:

• Initialize file descriptor handles so we don't attempt to close stdin by accident.
• Fix small errors detected by scan-build (clang).

What is new in version 1.14.2:

• Initialize file descriptor handles so we don't attempt to close stdin by accident.
• Fix small errors detected by scan-build (clang).

What is new in version 1.14.0:

• Initialize file descriptor handles so we don't attempt to close stdin by accident.
• Fix small errors detected by scan-build (clang).

What is new in version 1.12.2:

• Fix crash when having configuration keys defined in multiple places
• Allow user switching in multi-seat until bug stopping greeter showing on logout is fixed
• Disable log message when AccountsService users change

What is new in version 1.12.0:

• Fix assumption that the display server is X when running scripts.
• Don't access .dmrc files until information from these files is required.

Requirements:

• GTK+
• Qt