Trigger Screensaver/Off monitor

IS it possible to somehow trigger screensaver or make the monitor sleep/off? I want to disable screensaver/monitor sleep as it gets annoying at times, however I still want a way to save power via such methods

Solution 1:

sleep 1; xset dpms force off

source: http://www.shallowsky.com/linux/x-screen-blanking.html

You might find suspending the computer just as convenient.

Solution 2:

I figured after some searching in Google I can do

gnome-screensaver-command --activate

So I used it in a keytboard shortcut :)

UPDATE: hmm, the LCD backlight is still on, I guess what I really wanted is monitor off ...

Solution 3:

Ubuntu 12.04 instructions

1. Open System Settings from the menu
2. Click on Keyboard
3. Click the tab Shortcuts
4. Click on Custom Shortcuts
5. Click the little "+" icon to create a new shortcut
6. Both in name and command enter xset dpms force off , then click Apply
7. Click on your new shortcut where it says Disabled
8. Press the F12 key

This will set the F12 key to turn off your monitor. Press anything to turn it back on again.