how to tell if monitor is turned off?

[Paul E Johnson <pauljohn ukans edu>]

I'm using Helix gnome on RH7.0.  I use the gnome applet to configure my
screen saver.

I have a cron job to change backgrounds on my system, but I don't want
that job to run when the xscreensaver is going or the monitor has been
turned off by power saving mode.  Can you tell me a way to check the
state of the system in order to make my cron job run only when I'm
logged in and using X windows/gnome? (not when it is in suspended
animation?)
-- 
Paul E. Johnson                       email: pauljohn ukans edu
Dept. of Political Science            http://lark.cc.ukans.edu/~pauljohn
University of Kansas                  Office: (785) 864-9086
Lawrence, Kansas 66045                FAX: (785) 864-5700