Gconf configuration

I'd like to set some gconf preferences via cron or script. What's the best way to do this apart from making changes to the XML configuration file directly? I know /usr/bin/gconftool-2 does not work via cron (not easily anyway).

Here's an example of what I'm trying to do:

/usr/bin/gconftool-2 --type int --set /apps/gnome-power-manager/timeout/sleep_display_ac 0
/usr/bin/gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/gnome-power-manager/buttons/power shutdown

Any thoughts or ideas?

OS is Ubuntu squeeze/sid.

LVL 21

Julian MatzJoint ChairpersonAsked: 2011-03-06

Who is Participating?

Solutions

LVL 7

unSpawnConnect With a Mentor Commented: 2011-03-13

If I recall correctly the problem is with with gconftool-2 requiring access to D-BUS and X authority
This is how a BASH shell script (to be run as cron job) may look like:

#!/bin/sh --
# Export the D-BUS socket address:
export $(env | grep DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS)
# Export X auth cookie file name:
export $(env | grep XAUTHORITY)
/usr/bin/gconftool-2 --type int --set /apps/gnome-power-manager/timeout/sleep_display_ac 0
/usr/bin/gconftool-2 --type string --set /apps/gnome-power-manager/buttons/power shutdown
# Verify the result by running the appropriate 'gconftool-2 -g' commands:
/usr/bin/gconftool-2 g /apps/gnome-power-manager/timeout/sleep_display_ac
/usr/bin/gconftool-2 -g /apps/gnome-power-manager/buttons/power
# as this outputs to stdout check your email if cron is so configured.
exit 0

* Do test running it from an unprivileged user account.
** If it doesn't work then I won't know why unfortunately.