> I don't use "gdm". I use "xdm", and put "exec ssh-agent gnome-session"
> at the end of "~/.xsession". What does "gdm" do that "xdm" can't?

It has a few bells and whistles more. It can choose between different saved
sessions, can switch languages and has a nice "system" menu, that allows
users without a (root-)password to reboot or shut down the machine.

Not everyone will like that, but I find it very convenient for some 
workstations.

> Maybe a "gdm" thing?

Unlikely. Probably completely unrelated to gdm/gnome at all.


Martin