I hate to be aiming to make my Linux MORE like Windows, but...

XP's feature of supporting multiple users logged into graphical sessions at the same time (i.e. log out of one, but GUI programs keep running for the other user until they logout) is really nice for home desktops with multiple users. Is there any way to do this in Linux?

I'm using GNOME on a Debian "etch" build. I know I can toggle to virtual terminals with CNTL-ALT-F2 (thru F6), I'm wondering if there's a way to run a session manager (i.e. gdm) somehow inside of a virtual terminal, or to start an alternate display. Thanks!

Applications / System Tools / New Login

Try this article http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/7298

This one enables more than one gui login for gdm:
http://iew3.technion.ac.il/CC/Comp_n...I_login_prompt

Thanks a lot - I'd read the "Can't Get Enough Desktops" article before, but got slightly better results this time - errors, but at least I get it.

The thing that really excites me is the ease of GNOME's Menu launcher: System Tools -> New Login

Question is: I'd really like someone in my house (say, girlfriend) to be able to walk up to my computer when I'm away and the screen is locked and be able to hit a button and get to that "New Login" screen. Is there any way to customize that lock screen display and add a button to do this?

The only thing I can think to do in the meanwhile is keep a guest login with an active session on Virtual Terminal 8 (I'm on 7, of course), then people can hit CNTL-ALT-F8 to swap over to it. Maybe if I could create a simpler, 1-button keyboard shortcut for that, I'd have something, but it's still a bit burdensome to keep the guest session open constantly.

In KDE you could make the session automatically logout rather than just lock the screensaver. Don't know gnome well enough, but probably could do the same there.

Also would be the possibilty of hitting a key stroke to start a new session. you would just have to teach her the command.