I don't often need to, but sometimes I need to get access to the GUI of a computer. Mostly my desktop. I do a port forward over ssh and and then launch x11vnc, attaching to it over the tunnel with a VNC viewer. I have a nice x11vncrc file in my home that I use.
When I switched from PCLinuxOS to Linux Mint about 12 months ago I had an issue with this work flow. The screen would do a full screen repaint every few seconds. The result was the screen was in a constant state of black and slowly repainting and then repainting again. This meant it was unusable. This guy here as the same issue..
I tried what solved it for him, adding the -nodpms switch, doubting it would work as it is a not a screensaver issue for me. Well it fixed it. I have no idea why. If anyone does, please comment.