When using Mepis, I noticed that when the screen was locked I could click Start New Session to start a new instance of X and KDM on the screen accessible with Ctrl-Alt-F8. (What's that called? It wouldn't be tty8 because it isn't a virtual terminal, right?)

I would like to do that with my Debian and Gnome setup. Could anyone give me some advice on how to start a new instance of X and GDM on a new screen?

I would ideally have a button on XScreenSaver's lock screen popup to do that, but it seems like it would be a lot of work to add it unless it's already supported somewhere.

xinit -- :1 (second X)

Raise the number by one each time for additional instances.

Thanks. That starts a failsafe X session, though. Is there a way to use Gnome or GDM?