Mastering the Command 'mons' for Display Management (with Examples)

The ‘mons’ command is a versatile command-line utility designed to manage dual-monitor setups efficiently. It’s particularly useful for users looking to quickly switch between different display configurations without needing to delve into complex graphical settings. Whether you need to extend, mirror, or toggle your displays, ‘mons’ offers straightforward functionality directly from the terminal. The tool is especially valuable for developers, designers, and any professionals who often switch between different display setups.

Use Case 1: Enable Only the Primary Monitor

Code:

mons -o

Motivation: Enabling only the primary monitor is often necessary when you are working on a task that requires singular focus or when you need to troubleshoot display issues without external distractions. It can also be useful in conserving power when additional display screens are not needed.

Explanation:

• mons: This is the command used to manage dual monitors.
• -o: This option tells the ‘mons’ utility to enable only the primary monitor. The letter ‘o’ stands for “only,” indicating a singular focus on the primary display.

Example Output: After running this command, the secondary monitor will turn off, and all activity will shift solely to the primary monitor. Any open windows on the secondary display will automatically move to the primary monitor.

Use Case 2: Enable Only the Secondary Monitor

Code:

mons -s

Motivation: Switching to only the secondary monitor may be necessary when sharing a screen with others, such as during presentations or meetings, where the secondary monitor is the shared display. It is also useful when needing a specific screen for an environment with different setup requirements.

Explanation:

• mons: The base command for controlling display configurations.
• -s: This option triggers the secondary display to be the sole active monitor. The ’s’ stands for “secondary,” designating the non-primary monitor as the active display.

Example Output: The primary monitor will be deactivated, and all applications will be displayed on the secondary screen. This allows the entire desktop environment to be used on the secondary display, ideal for specific use cases such as screen-sharing setups.

Use Case 3: Duplicate the Primary Monitor onto the Secondary Monitor

Code:

mons -d

Motivation: Duplicating the primary monitor onto a secondary monitor is excellent for situations where you need to display the same content on both screens. This configuration is widely used in teaching scenarios, retail environments, or anywhere you need the same display visible in multiple locations simultaneously.

Explanation:

• mons: The initial command to manage monitor display settings.
• -d: The duplicate option duplicates the view from the primary monitor to the secondary. The letter ’d’ stands for “duplicate,” ensuring that the displays mirror one another completely.

Example Output: Both the primary and secondary monitors will show the exact same output, making it perfect for demonstrations or environments where information needs to be visibly consistent and available across different screens.

Use Case 4: Mirror the Primary Monitor onto the Secondary Monitor

Code:

mons -m

Motivation: Mirroring monitors is crucial when dealing with displays of differing resolutions. Mirroring focuses on maintaining display integrity and prevents display issues that could arise from resolution mismatches. It’s often used in environments requiring the smooth transition of information across different display hardware.

Explanation:

• mons: The overarching command used to manage display setups.
• -m: This option indicates that the monitors should mirror each other, using the secondary monitor’s resolution. The ’m’ stands for “mirror,” which accounts for adapting content to match the secondary monitor’s resolution.

Example Output: After executing this command, both screens display the same image; however, the resolution applied is that of the secondary monitor. This ensures clarity and uniformity in the display output across different kinds of monitors.

Conclusion:

The ‘mons’ command is a powerful tool that simplifies the management of dual-monitor setups through straightforward command-line instructions. By using specific options such as -o, -s, -d, and -m, users can quickly adjust their displays to focus on task-centric configurations, improve productivity in multi-environment setups, and ensure visual consistency across presentations and collaborative workspaces. Its capability to adapt display outputs efficiently enhances workplace flexibility and efficiency.