Simple install for ruby version:

sudo apt-get install libdbus-ruby
cp xmms2-gnome-mediakeys-listener.rb ~/.config/xmms2/startup.d/
xmms2 quit; xmms2 play


This is the same thing implemented in ruby and in C 

It lets you use the prev / play-pause / next keys on your keyboard with xmms2

2010 David Richards