how does gnome-settings-daemon work?

["Daniel Fetchinson" <fetchinson googlemail com>]

Hi folks,

I'm trying to understand how gnome-settings-daemon work and how to
control what services are started by it. For example it launches
background, clipboard, screensaver related services all of which I
don't need. Actually, the only thing I need from it is the ability to
control the volume with the keys on my laptop. Without
gnome-settings-daemon running these volume control keys don't work but
once I launch it they will correctly control the volume and a nice
visual feedback window also comes up.

What does gnome-settings-daemon do under the hood so that these volume
control keys start working? Or how is it possible to disable all the
rest (background, screensaver, etc)?

Cheers,
Daniel