home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- Date: Tuesday, 19 November 1991 09:51-GMT
- From: starke@rhrk.uni-kl.de (Gerolf Starke [MW])
- Re: Xwindows, all answers !!
-
- Dear newsgroup readers!
-
- Thanks to all who answered my query about an Xwindows terminal
- emulation for PC/AT clones.
-
- First I have to thank David Orman who gave me a lot of information
- he received about the same subject.
-
- I also have to thank Colin Frank, Lyle Holman and Bob Hardy for
- the information.
-
- In the following there's a summary of all the answers I received. All
- names of persons (authors) are droped.
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- The main players seem to be Hummingbird communications HCL-eXceed (DOS
- and MS windows), Unipalm X11/AT (windows), Locus computing (PC-Xsight),
- Spectragraphics/GSS PC-Xview (DOS) and Visionware Xvision (windows).
-
- Also "coming real soon" is Quarterdecks Desqview/X. This promises to
- be a really exciting product, particularly as it will provide
- portability of X based applications to the PC. While many developers
- will appreciate the portability and using a non-proprietary system
- rather than MS-Windows, the phenomenal success of MS Windows (at least
- according to the computer press) will have no doubt cut deeply into
- their potential market. No doubt this has a great bearing on the
- extravagent advertising Quarterdeck indulged in late last year (a bid
- for vapourware of the century???). Hopefully the portability to Unix
- will encourage developers to use Desqview/X. Time only will tell.
-
- Returning to the products available now, I was specifically asking for
- comparisons of the various products available. The most informative
- reply I got was from Steve Cohen (see below), who has tried many of these
- products. His strong recommendation is for HCL-eXceed, using the FTP
- software PC/TCP transport and VGA graphics. Esmond Pitt recommended
- Xvision in favour of PC-Xview. Stephen Guerke noted that there is a
- review of PC based X servers in the current PC Magazine -
- unfortunately I haven't tracked down a copy of this yet as we seem to
- be a few months behind! Digital Review (July 16, 1990) compared
- HCL-eXceed with PC-Xsight and found the former much preferable. On
- the basis of these comments HCL-eXceed seems to be the unanimous
- choice for a PC based X server, at least as far as performance is
- concerned.
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- A) Vendor List
-
- AGE (619-565-7373) offers the XoftWare TIGA.
-
- Bell Technologies (Fremont, CA: 415-659-9097)
-
- PC DECWindows a.k.a. the PC DECWindows Display Facility is an
- MS-DOS application that turns your PC into an X11R3 terminal.
- It supports DECnet. Available from DEC. [Dennis Giokas
- (giokas@mosaic.enet.dec.com), 3/90]
-
- HP (800-752-0900) has the "HP Accelerated X Window Display
- Server" (HP AXDS/PC; HP part D2300B) which will run on any
- AT-class DOS machine with 640KB, MSDOS 3.1 or higher, and the
- HP Intelligent Graphics Controller 10 card, to which the
- X11R3-based server is downloaded (avoiding
- performance-limitations from PC RAM-size and processor speed).
- [from John Kempff (kempff@hppad.hp.com), 3/90]
-
- Hummingbird Communications (Canada 416-470-1203) produces the
- HCL-eXceed and HCL-eXceed Plus for EGA, VGA, and VGA+ controllers.
- ** Also HCL-eXceed/W for windows.
-
- Information Network Solutions also offers a product called
- HCL-eXceed for the *86. The fax is 02-4122079 inside
- Australia, 612-4122079 from overseas.
-
- Integrated Inference Machines (714-978-6201 or -6776) is
- shipping X11/AT, an X server that runs under MS-windows. The
- server converts an IBM-AT into an X terminal which can
- simultaneously run MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications.
- ** Now marketed by Unipalm Limited (England 954-211797, Fax
- 954-211244).
-
- Intelligent Decisions, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA: 408-734-3730)
-
- IBM is rumored to offer a product; part #5709-029.
-
- Locus Computing (800-955-6287; CA: 213-670-6500; UK: +44 296
- 89911) has a server called PC-Xsight which also appears in
- Acer's X terminal.
-
- Metrolink Inc. (+1-305-566-9586, sales@metrolink.com; in
- Europe contact ADNT, (33 1) 3956 5333) ships an implementation
- of X11R4 for several 386 systems.
-
- Pericom's TeemTalk-X for IBM clones allows toggling between X
- and DOS. Information: +44 (0908) 560022. [5/90]
-
- DESQview/X from Quarterdeck (213-392-9851; 213-399-3802 FAX)
- incorporates X into the DESQview multi-tasking DOS
- environment.
-
- SpectraGraphics/GSS (503-641-2200) makes PC-Xview, an
- MSDOS-based X server which interfaces with PC/TCP Plus
- networking software from FTP Software and Excelan's LAN
- WorkPlace for DOS. The server works with (a) 286, 386, 486
- (b) EGA, VGA, DGIS displays. (c) DOS 3.2 and above (d)
- Microsoft, Logitech, Mouse Systems Mice (e) 640k memory up to
- 16 MB memory [the PC-Xview/16 is available for PCs with
- extended memory].
-
- VisionWare's XVision is a Microsoft Windows-based X server
- which allows an IBM-compatible PC or PS/2 to display X clients
- running on a networked computer at the same time as local DOS
- programs. VisionWare is at 612-377-3627 or vision@vware.mn.org
- (UK: +44 532 788858 and vware@vision.uucp).
-
- Xnth is an implementation of X11 R4 which runs on AT-bus PCs
- running DOS 3.3 or higher. It currently supports 1280X1024 or
- 1024X768 resolution monitors at 256 colors (out of 16M) with
- hardware accelleration for graphics and text operations. It
- currently utilizes a TCP/IP byte stream over Ethernet.
- Information: Jerry Norman, Nth Graphics, Ltd., 1-800-624-7552.
-
- * StarNet Communications Corp 408-739-0881 Fax 408-739-0936
- * makes an X server that runs on MS-DOS. MicroX has TCP/IP built
- * in, and will work with any ethernet card that has a driver
- * that conforms to the PC/TCP Packet Driver Specification --
- * drivers for the most common card and in 256-color on most
- * super VGA cards.
-
- B) More detailed info on some vendors:
-
- I. Server running under MS (Microsoft) Windows
-
- 1) Integrated Inference Machines (714-978-6201 or -6776)
-
- Contact : John Walsh
- X Server version : X11R3 (with R4 font support)
- -- No plan for R4 yet
- Network SW : supports PC-NFS
- DOS version : 3.0
- Memory Requirement: 2 MB
- Graphic cards : EGA, VGA, 8514
- AT : 286, 386, 486
- PS/2 : Model 80 with 8514
- Simultaneously run X, MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications: Yes
- Cut & Paste between windows (includes X emulation window) : Yes
- Price:
- $495 (1-9 units)
- $465 (10-24 units)
- $395 (10-24 units with document sharing -- 1 doc/5 units)
- $395 (25-95 units)
- $325 (25-95 units with document sharing -- 1 doc/5 units)
- Available: Yes
-
- * Now marketed by Unipalm.
- Single unit price 450 pounds.
- Requires a TCP/IP carrier. PC/TCP kernel (serves X windows only)
- available for 160 pounds.
-
-
- 2) SpectraGraphics/GSS (503-641-2200)
-
- Contact : Mike Cox
- Product Name : PC-Xvision
- X Server version : X11R3
- -- R4 is available in the summer
- Network SW : supports PC-NFS
- DOS version : 3.2
- Memory Requirement: 3 MB (2MB for M/S Windows)
- Graphic card : EGA, VGA, DGIS
- AT (PS/2) : 286, 386, 486
- Simultaneously run X, MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications: Yes
- Cut & Paste between windows (includes X emulation window) : Yes
- Price:
- $449 (1 unit)
- $359.2 (20-49 units -- 20% discount)
- $336.75 (50+ units -- 25% discount)
-
- (NOTE: The cost for the upgrade to X11R4 server is $150.
- It is available in the summer.)
- Available: Yes
-
-
- ****
- 3) Hummingbird Communications Ltd (416) 470-1203 Fax (416) 470-1207
-
- Contact : Jan Adamek
- Product Name : HCL-eXceed/W
- X Server version : X11R4
- Network SW : requires TCP/IP carrier
- DOS version : > 3.0, MS Windows 3.0
- Memory Requirement: 2MB
- Graphic card : Supported by MS windows
- AT (PS/2) : 286, 386, 486
- Simultaneously run X, MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications: Yes
- Cut & Paste between windows (includes X emulation window) : Yes
- Price:
- US $595 (1 unit)
- US $536 (2-4 units)
- US $476 (5-9 units)
- US $417 (10+ units)
- Available: Yes
- ****
-
-
- II. Native Server (Not running under Microsoft Windows)
-
- 1) Locus Computing (800-955-6287; CA: 213-670-6500)
-
- Contact : Dada Halili (213-337-5251)
- Product Name : PC-Xsight
- X Server version : X11R3 & X11R4
- Network SW : supports PC-NFS 3.1+
- DOS version : 3.1+
- Memory Requirement: 2 MB upto 16MB extended memory
- Graphic card : EGA, VGA, 8514A
- AT : 286, 386, 486
- PS/2 : Model 70, 80
- Swicthing between DOS and X Server: Yes
- Price:
- $495 (with Locus TCP/IP)
- $425 (without Locus TCP/IP)
- ~$382.5 (12-19 unit, 10% discount)
- ~$361.25 (20+ unit, 15% discount)
- Available: Yes
-
- (NOTE: Microsoft Windows support in 5-6 months.)
-
- 2) SpectraGraphics/GSS (503-641-2200)
-
- Contact : Mike Cox
- Product Name : PC-Xview
- X Server version : X11R3
- -- R4 is available in the summer
- Network SW : supports PC-NFS
- DOS version : 2.1.2
- Memory Requirement: 640KB upto 16MB extended memory
- Graphic card : EGA, VGA, DGIS
- AT (PS/2) : 286, 386, 486
- Swicthing between DOS and X Server: Yes
- Price:
- $445 (1 unit)
- ~$356 (20-49 units -- 20% discount)
- ~$333.75 (50+ units -- 25% discount)
-
- (NOTE: The cost for the upgrade to X11R4 server is $150.
- It is available in the summer.)
- Available: Yes
-
-
- ****
- 3) Hummingbird Communications Ltd (416) 470-1203 Fax (416) 470-1207
-
- Contact : Jan Adamek
- Product Name : HCL-eXceed/Plus
- X Server version : X11R4
- Network SW : requires TCP/IP carrier
- DOS version : > 3.0
- Memory Requirement: 1.64MB
- Graphic card : EGA, VGA, many Super VGA
- AT (PS/2) : 286, 386, 486
- Simultaneously run X, MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows applications: Yes
- Cut & Paste between windows (includes X emulation window) : Yes
- Price:
- US $595 (1 unit)
- US $536 (2-4 units)
- US $476 (5-9 units)
- US $417 (10+ units)
- Available: Yes
- ****
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- I don't know if you get PC MAGAZINE, but the current issue has a
- rather lengthy discussion of just this issue. It mentions and reviews
- several of the products that you mentioned in your list. Unfortunatly
- I don't have the magazine here with me or I would try to summarize it
- for you. On product (not yet available....but "real soon now") that
- looks like a winner is DESQviewX by Quaterdeck. Apparantly this
- product (when available) will solve (I'll belive it when I see it)a
- lot of the complaints about the other products...the major one being
- that they tend to run slowly on a PC..
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- I have been doing studies and benchmarks on the various X-SERVER
- products that are available for PC's.
-
- After much research the three products from Hummingbird, are by far the
- fastest, easiest to use, and real implementations of X11 R4.
-
- Hummingbirds EXCEED/W for WINDOWs 3.0 is almost twice as fast as
- X-VISION and almost an order of magnitude faster than X11-AT.
-
- X-VISION is very difficult to install and if your computer cannot
- do an rsh, is a pain to start up.
-
- EXCEED/w gives good performance on a 386sx based system.
-
- It is much better to use PC/TCP from FTP software than the other transports.
-
- For non Windows 3.0 systems use EXCEED/P from Hummingbird. It is an R4
- server and takes advantage of extended memory. It is much faster than
- any of the other X-SERVERS, and will run with PC-NFS, ftp's software
- or EXCELLAN.
-
- the Locus PC-XSIGHT product is not particularly easy to install,
- has a lot of bugs, and is slow.
-
- I have used the Hummingbird products on 286s, 386sx, 386s and a 486. It is
- almost twice as fast with a VGA card instead of an EGA card.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
- >
- > PC-Xview Graphic Software Systems
- >
- > * Xvision Visionware
-
- I have used both of these and would recommend the latter over the
- former, if you can live with the different environment, i.e. windows,
- no xdm/mwm on the host (good!). Xview seemed slow and clunky to me.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
- Received you letter via NASA/Ames. I would like to introduce
- you to MicroX. StarNet Communications Corp 408-739-0881 Fax
- 408-739-0936 makes an X server that runs on MS-DOS. MicroX
- has TCP/IP built in, and will work with any ethernet card
- that has a driver that conforms to the PC/TCP Packet Driver
- Specification -- drivers for the most common card and in
- 256-color on most super VGA cards.
- Other information follows to the address that is at the
- bottom of your letter. [Contact Larry Wible <larry@starnet.com>]
-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- I recently ran into a new one which runs under MS Windows (286/386
- only). Implied is that the X Windows will run under any display
- configuration which has an MS Windows device driver.
-
- Product: X11/AT
- Company: Integrated Inference Machines
- 1468 E. Katella Ave.
- Anaheim, CA 92805
- (714) 978-6776
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Transparent Technology has a product called PC-Xsight which is apparently
- a full implementation of X 11.3 under MS-DOS, using TCP/IP over an Ethernet
- connection to talk to the server. They advertise in Unix Review, among
- other places. Total cost of their software is around $500, with another
- $700 buying you a Western Digital Ethernet card, a Paradise VGA card, and a
- Logitech mouse, which they selected and vend because of proven value &
- compatibility with PC-Xsight. I don't have their address handy.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Graphic Software Systems (GSS) offers PC-Xview, an X Window server on a PC.
- PC-Xview interfaces with PC/TCP Plus networking software from FTP Software
- and Excelan's LAN WorkPlace for DOS. GSS is a distributor for the PC/TCP
- product and can offer you one stop shopping for all of your PC X Server needs.
-
- PC-Xview works with:
-
- a) 286, 386, 486
- b) EGA, VGA, DGIS displays. DGIS displays are available from Compaq,
- Dell, HP, NEC, Imagraph, Control Systems, and others
- c) DOS 3.2 and above
- d) Microsoft, Logitech, Mouse Systems Mice
- e) 640k memory up to 16 MB memory
- f) Network cards from 3Com, WD, Interlan, Intel, Proteon, UB,
- Nat'l Semi, Tiara, and Excelan. Also SLIP.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- VisionWare XVISION - The X Connection for Microsoft Windows
-
- XVision is a Microsoft Windows based X server which allows an IBM-compatible PC
- or PS/2 to display X clients running on a networked computer, at the same time
- as local DOS programs. The main features are:
-
- o A PC becomes an X Window System graphics terminal.
-
- o Microsoft Windows based X server.
-
- o X clients and DOS applications appear on the same screen.
-
- o Cut and paste between X clients and DOS applications using the Windows
- Clipboard.
-
- o Full support for X11 protocols.
-
- o Use a standard X Window manager, or let Microsoft Windows manage X
- clients.
-
- o Independent of specific PC graphics display system.
-
- X FOR WINDOWS
-
- XVision is a Microsoft Windows application, which means that you
- can run X Window System clients alongside DOS programs on a PC
- workstation. This provides a common user interface for DOS and X
- applications, and allows cut and paste operations to transfer
- information between them.
-
- Because the server runs under Microsoft Windows it can use any
- graphics display screen for which a Windows driver is available. This
- includes EGA and VGA, as well as large high resolution monitors.
-
- XVISION SERVER
-
- The XVision server is based on the sample server distributed by the X
- Consortium. It runs on a PC under Microsoft Windows and supports the
- standard X protocol between clients and the server over TCP/IP network
- links. This is the most efficient method of implementation since the X
- protocol is optimised to reduce the overheads involved in passing
- graphics requests to and receiving events from a workstation.
-
- XVision does not require any special software to be installed on a
- host system and it can accept requests from X clients running anywhere
- on the network. The interface between XVision and the PC network
- software is implemented as a DOS TSR program, which provides a
- flexible method of supporting different networks.
-
- XVision allows cut and paste operations between X clients to be
- carried out in the normal way using the X selection mechanism. It also
- enables the data associated with a text selection to be mirrored on
- the Windows Clipboard. This enables data to be copied between X
- clients and DOS applications.
-
- The server is capable of running a few simple clients on a PC with 640
- kbytes of memory. It implements virtual memory to allow a greater
- number of clients and more complex clients to be run. The virtual
- memory mechanism will make use of expanded memory if it is available,
- and if there is insufficient expanded memory it will use the hard
- disk.
-
- Clients can be initiated from the PC, or may be started anywhere on
- the network. For a UNIX host, the X Display Manager can be set up to
- allow a user to log in and execute the first X client. Otherwise,
- TELNET or another terminal emulator facility can be used to initiate
- the X session.
-
- WINDOW MANAGEMENT
-
- There are two different ways of using XVision. The first way is for
- the whole X world to occupy one Microsoft Window, and all X clients
- appear within this window. The Microsoft Window may be positioned on
- the screen in relation to other DOS windows or iconised in the normal
- Windows manner. To manage individual X client windows within the
- single Microsoft Window, a standard X window manager such as UWM must
- be used.
-
- When used in this single window display mode you can specify that the
- "virtual display" should be larger than the size of the PC screen, and
- Microsoft Windows scroll bars can then be used to alter the visible
- area.
-
- The second way to use XVision is for each X client to run within its
- own Microsoft Window, and here individual X client window management
- may be achieved by using the standard Microsoft Windows management
- facilities. This method provides X applications with a Presentation
- Manager look and feel to their user interface. When a client opens a
- window it supplies "hints" such as size, title and icon which are
- mapped to equivalent features of a Microsoft Window.
-
- X FONTS SUPPLIED
-
- Compiled versions of the standard X fonts are distributed with
- XVision, and you have the option to install all of them or just a
- minimum set. A Microsoft Windows font file is associated with each
- X font file, and contains the character bitmaps. All the other
- properties of the X font remain in the X font file and many are used
- by the server when drawing text.
-
- XVISION AND VISIONWARE
-
- XVision is one of a range of VisionWare workstation integration
- products and services. Also available is PC-Connect, which allows
- IBM-compatible PC or PS/2 computers to act as multi-windowed
- workstations connected to one or more UNIX host systems without the
- need for the X Windows system. SQL-Connect enables workstation users
- to access information held in remote SQL databases. The VisionWare
- strategy is to combine PCs and multi-user systems into a unified
- operating environment, so that maximum benefits can be obtained from
- information processing technology.
-
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-
- An IBM-compatible PC/AT or PS/2 computer with at least an 80286 processor.
-
- At least 640kbytes of memory. XVision will also use LIM/EMS 3.2 or 4.0
- expanded memory if available.
-
- A hard disk.
-
- Either a 1.2Mbyte 5 1/4" disk drive, or a 1.44Mbyte 3 1/2" drive.
-
- Windows compatible graphics adapter and display.
-
- A mouse is strongly recommended. A three-button mouse is ideal, but a
- two-button mouse can be used together with the emulation facilities
- built into XVision.
-
- A local area network card and networking software.
-
- MS-DOS or PC-DOS version 3.0 or later.
-
- A run-time version of Microsoft Windows may be included with XVision
- (ask your supplier or call VisionWare). If you want to use full
- Windows then you need Windows/286 or Windows/386 version 2.0 or later.
-
- XVISION PACKAGES
-
- There are two XVision packages, one containing 5 1/4" disks (1.2 Mbyte)
- and the other containing 3 1/2" disks (1.44Mbyte). Choose the
- appropriate package for your disk drive.
-
- AVAILABILITY
-
- XVision is supplied with network communications interface programs for
- various TCP/IP networking software. These include Locus TCP/IP for
- DOS, FTP PC/TCP and Excelan LAN WorkPlace. More networks are being
- added continually, and you contact your supplier or VisionWare for
- exact details of availability.
-
-
- (C) VisionWare Limited, 1989. All Rights Reserved.
-
- The names of companies referred to herein, their corporate logos, the
- names of their hardware and software may be tradenames, trademarks or
- registered trademarks of their respective owners.
-
- The policy of VisionWare Limited is to develop and enhance its
- products and services and it therefore reserves the right to alter
- without notice the specification and/or design thereof.
-
- VisionWare Limited, The Leeds Business Park, Morley, Leeds LS27 0JG, UK
- Tel +44-532-522020. Fax +44-532-526614. Telex 556283. Email: vware@vison.uucp
-
- VisionWare, PO Box 3991, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA
- Tel +1-612-377-3627
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- For those interested in using X Windows Version 11 Release 3 on an
- IBM-AT (80286 or 80386) or compatible, Integrated Inference Machines
- is shipping a high performance X11 server called X11/AT which runs
- under MS-DOS using Microsoft Windows for $395. The server converts an
- IBM-AT into an X Windows terminal which can simultaneosuly run MS-DOS
- and Microsoft Windows applications. FTP and TELNET are also supplied.
- X11/AT requires a system with 2Meg of extended memory. Because X11/AT
- runs under Microsoft Windows, a large variety of monochrome and color
- displays are supported including EGA, VGA, and special high resolution
- displays.
-
- For more information, contact:
-
- Charles Baecker
- Integrated Inference Machines
- 1468 E. Katella Avenue
- Anahiem, California 92805
- Phone (714)978-6201
- FAX (714)939-0746
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- You can run X on PC's without X cards. There is X/Sight from Locus
- Computing, XVision from VisionWare Ltd., and XView from GSS, Inc. Of
- these products, so far I have found that XView is actually the fastest
- in terms of performance, and was one of the easiest to install.
-
- They all have dependencies upon some third party vendor's TCP/IP
- software to handle the X protocol; the best of which is from FTP
- Software. None of these packages were easy to install on the PC; in
- fact Locus' product was by far the most difficult. It took quite a
- bit of hacking to brute force X/Sight into working because the
- documentation was poorly organized and lacked adequate "real"
- examples.
-
- XVision had its problems too, but they were not related to XVision,
- rather they were MS Windows problems because of Windows 3.0 was still
- a beta release. The XVision installation process was the easiest
- because it has to conform to the standard MS Windows installation
- guidelines which makes it easy for novices. It also needed some
- "persuasion" before being able to work correctly, but once it did it
- worked as advertised, although somewhat slow.
-
- XView was easy to install, their documentation is adequate but could
- use some minor improvement. It is the fastest of the three packages
- even though I am told that I am using the slowest of the Ethernet
- boards. I personally like XView the best, although novice PC users
- will probably like XVision better because of the familiar MS Windows
- interface. XView, like X/Sight allows you to hot key between your X
- session and local DOS.
-
- I can't tell you much more than this, because I have written
- evauations for articles to be published in an upcoming issue of
- UnixWorld, about these three fine products. Take your pick, any of
- them are OK, but I feel that speed, reliability, and ease of
- installation are very important so I personally would recommend XView
- (if you are not a PC novice) or XVision if you are a MS Windows junkie
- like myself.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- I have been using XVision from VisionWare, Ltd., on a 286, using FTP's
- PC/TCP communications software via a 3COM 3C503 Ethernet board. For one
- that does not need to work "heavily" within the X environment, I find it
- an excellent solution.
-
- It requires Microsoft Windows (I am using 3.0). That means that I
- have my normal PC windows and I have "X" windows. Actually, XVision
- works in either "multi-window" or "single-window" mode. The "multi"
- means that each X client has its own Microsoft window and that
- Microsoft Windows handles much of the windowing -- more efficient that
- way. The "single" approach means there is one X window, inside of
- which you have as many X clients as you wish (see caveat later). I
- actually prefer working this way, as it is closer to the real X feel.
- Nonetheless, you should realize that the more efficient way is "multi"
- windowing.
-
- Since the PC is color, the X, naturally, provides color. With one
- exception, I have not had any problem with the color. It has only
- been an asset. The one exception is FrameMaker -- just yesterday I
- tried for the first time to use it and it complained that the colors
- weren't setup correctly. I haven't tried to resolve this yet, but I
- assume it will be no problem.
-
- So far as running on a 286, it is slow in setting up the environment.
- It takes about 60 sections before I see my first X window. On a 386,
- I assume it would be much faster. Until I get all my windows set up
- just the way I like takes about 1 1/2 minutes more. Once set up, I
- have two mailbox windows, one to a Sun workstation and one to a
- mainframe, I have a "manual browser" from another mainframe, I have a
- "workload" figure from a Sun, and I have four working windows, two on
- Suns and two on mainframes, these last two using "tn3270" to give me
- true 3270 compatibility. And that works nicely, too.
-
- Again, but for setup, I think the response is fine. I have good
- control of moving windows around, resizing them, iconizing them,
- opening them up, etc.
-
- By the way, my screen is a MultiSync 3D, with a video adapter from
- Video Seven, 512K video RAM. This provides 1024x768 resolution. It
- means I can devote one half of my screen to PC and one half to X, and
- the X side is wide enough to give me a full 80x24 character screen.
- The size of the lettering is small, but I can live with it. I think a
- better solution, however, would be to have a 16" or even 19" monitor.
- I'm looking into that now.
-
- The only big problem that I have is that XVision has a limit,
- unfortunately, of only ten X clients. For a serious user, that is a
- very bad limitation. Additionally, a bug in the system causes it to
- die a most unglorious death when you try to create the eleventh
- client. As my mother would say, "You shouldn't know from such
- things." PC/TCP from FTP, however, allows you to set a limit on the
- number of TCP/IP connections, and this precludes my ever asking for
- the eleventh client. Visionware is aware of the bug and is coming out
- with a correction. They also recognize that ten clients is a very low
- number. They aren't saying when they'll have a version allowing more
- than ten.
-
- That's about it. In summary, it's a very good solution for one who has
- strong ties to the PC world, but needs a "window" (no pun intended) to the
- X world.
-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- I got the following info from David Solan, sales rep of the Wollongong Group
- (415) 962-7172. They produce a TCP/IP package for windows plus a lot more
- He sent me some info about their product that included vendors that
- sell X servers for Windows3.0. These include:
-
- Product: Windows 3.0 based X11R4 server
- -------------------------------------------------------
- Company: Hummingbird Communications
- Phone: (416) 470-1203
-
- Company: Integrated Inference Machines
- Phone: (714) 939-0746
-
- Company: VisionWare
- Phone: (201) 985-8000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- I have seen three programs that allow your PC to act as an X
- terminal over the ethernet.
-
- Xvision
- Spectragraphics
- 1-800-800-9599
-
- HCL-eXceed/W
- Hummingbird Communications Inc.
- 416-470-1203
-
- Xsight
- AGE Logic Inc.
- 619-455-8600
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
- DESQview-X should be released soon. It claims to do (X) windows.
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-
- Thanks to all again,
-
- Gerolf Starke
- --
- Gerolf Starke Tel: +49/631/205-2419
- Institute of Applied and Technical Mechanics e-mail: starke@rhrk.uni-kl.de
- University of Kaiserslautern, 6750 compuserve: 100010,3451
-