X on Intel-based Unix Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Steve Kotsopoulos
Last-modified: Nov 4, 1998
Posting-Frequency: monthly
URL: http://www.fywss.com/stuff/Intel-Unix-X-faq
URL2: http://www.ecf.toronto.edu/~steve/misc/Intel-Unix-X-faq
This article includes answers to:
What free options are there for X software on Intel-based Unix?
What commercial options are there for X software on Intel-based Unix?
What other sources of information are there?
Introduction
============
This FAQ covers general questions about X on Intel-based Unix, but not
topics that are already in other FAQs such as the general X FAQ that
is regularly posted by David B. Lewis <faq%cr...@uunet.uu.net> or the
XFree86 FAQ, etc.
The latest version of this article is available from
http://www.fywss.com/stuff/Intel-Unix-X-faq
If you have anything to add or change on this FAQ just let me know.
Please do not ask me questions that are not answered in this FAQ. I don't
have time to respond to these individually. Instead, post your question
to the net, and send me the question and answer together when you get it.
Frequently Asked Questions About X on Intel-based Unix (with answers)
=====================================================================
Subject: What free options are there for X software on Intel-based Unix?
The most popular option is XFree86, which is an enhanced version of X386.
X386 is the port of the X11 server to System V/386 that was done by
Thomas Roell <ro...@xig.com>.
XFree86 is a freeware project which has its roots in Thomas Roell's
X386 work. It is a port of X11R6 that supports several versions of Intel-
based Unix and Unix-like operating systems. This release consists of
new features and performance improvements as well as many bug fixes.
The release is available as source patches against the X Consortium
X11R6 code, as well as binary distributions for many architectures.
XFree86 is available from ftp://ftp.xfree86.org/pub/XFree86 and the
mirror sites that are listed there. More detailed information and
the XFree86 FAQ are on their web site, url http://www.xfree86.org
Several other options are available for people running NeXTSTEP on
i486 and Pentium hardware. Information on mouseX, Cub'X and Co-Xist
is available via anonymous ftp from cs.orst.edu in /pub/next/XNeXT.
Subject: What commercial options are there for X software on Intel-based Unix?
1) Metro Link
4711 North Powerline Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(305) 938-0283
Fax: (305) 938-1982
email: sa...@metrolink.com
http://www.metrolink.com/
Summary: OS: AT&T System V 3.2, Interactive, Linux, LynxOS, QNX,
SCO ODT, SCO UNIX, Solaris x86, System V 4.0,
System V 4.2, UnixWare 1.1/2.0, Venix
HW: Many graphics cards including those based on:
VGA, 8514, S3, ATI Mach 8/32/64, ET3000, ET4000,
Matrox MGA, Cirrus Logic, Western Digital
including boards from: ATI, Diamond, Matrox,
Number Nine, Orchid, Pixelworks, Trident.
Other: Motif, XIE Imaging Extension, Xv Video Extension,
Audio Drivers, Multi Media Tools
2) Xi Graphics
1801 Broadway, Suite 1710
Denver, CO 80202
+1.303.298.7478, 800.XINSIDE [800.946.7433]
Fax: +1.303.298.1406
email: sa...@xig.com
Email: in...@xig.com
Web: http://www.xig.com/
Anon-FTP: ftp.xig.com
Mail lists: majo...@xig.com
Summary: OS: BSDI, FreeBSD, INTERACTIVE, Linux, OpenServer,
Solaris, UnixWare
HW: Over 450 graphics boards from over 50 vendors,
almost any monitor up to 1920x1440.
Other: Included extensions: MIT-SCREEN-SAVER, MIT-SHM,
Double-Buffering, SHAPE, XIdle, XsightExtension,
PEX-3D, SYNC, XTEST, RECORD, concurrent 24bpp &
8bpp support (overlays), hardware gamma color
correction.
Optional Enhancements: OpenGL, Motif 2.0,
CDE, Multihead, Mobile Computer Support..
Xi Graphics has just released their first 3D h/w acceleration server.
Accelerated-X/OGL Tech Demo Evolution 1 supports five graphics chips
at present, on Linux, Solaris/x86 and UNIXware 7. It will support more
before it becomes an end user product. This version is targeted at
developers before the end user product is released.
The Laptop Server supports "hot key" switching between internal and
external displays (internal, external or both).
See web site for the most current list of supported boards and
a free downloadable compatability demo of the server.
The Xi Graphics Server, known as 'AcceleratedX', is bundled with
Delix Pro.
3) The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
p.o. box 1900
Santa Cruz, California 95061
(408) 425 7222, (800) SCO UNIX,
FAX: (408) 458 4227
email: in...@sco.com
Summary: OS: ODT 1.1, ODT 2.0, ODT 3.0
HW: X11R5 server support for SVGA, 8514/A, S3, TMS340x0,
GD5426, P9000, ET4000/W32, Mach32, WD90C33, 86C801,
86C805, 86C928, WD90C31, XGA2, QVision, misc. localbus
video systems (see Hardware Compatibility Handbook
for actual card vendors).
Other: Motif
4) Answer Software & Consulting
p.o. box 14171
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-263-XLAB
email: sa...@x4coher.com
Summary: OS: Coherent 4.0.1r72 or greater
HW: works with any VESA compliant video
5) OpenWindows (shipped as part of the Solaris for x86 OS)
SunSoft Inc.
901 San Antonio Road
Palo Alto, CA. 94303-4900
Phone: 650-960-3200
Summary: OS: Solaris for x86, SunSoft's version of SVR4
HW: ATI, Cirrus, S3, 8514, VGA, XGA, Matrox, Weitek, etc.
Complete list of supported cards available by
mailing x86...@sun.com.
Other: X11R5 clients, XView, OLIT, DeskSet, Adobe Display
PostScript, XGL (3D Graphics), XIL (Imaging)
6) Mark Williams Company
Mark Williams Company went out of business about Feb 2 1995.
Check comp.os.coherent for details and flamewars.
NOTE: Other commercial vendors (including OS vendors describing
bundled software) are welcome to submit summary information
such as the above.
Subject: What other sources of information are there?
There is a Usenet news group comp.windows.x.i386unix that contains
mostly discussions about XFree86 and related topics. Many questions
can be answered there.
For information on X packages for DOS systems, consult the (PC)NFS FAQ
available from seagull.rtd.com:/pub/tcpip/pcnfs.FAQ.v1.2.Z
More general X information can be found elsewhere in the comp.windows.x
hierarchy, and the FAQs that are posted regularly there.
--
Steve Kotsopoulos st...@fywss.com