A bit of info on MacX
Subject: 69) Where can I get an X server on a Macintosh running MacOS?
eXodus from White Pine Software (603-886-9050) runs on any Mac with
at least 1MB of memory and runs the X server within a standard Macintosh
window. Version 3.0 [6/91] supports intermixing of X and Mac windows and
the ADSP protocol. The version supports the SHAPE extension and includes
DECwindows support.
Apple's MacX runs on MacPlus or newer machines with >= 2MB of memory
and system software 6.0.4 or later. Version 1.1 is fully X11R4-based. It
supports full ICCCM-compatible cut and paste of text AND graphics between the
Macintosh and X11 worlds, the SHAPE extension (including SHAPEd windows on the
Macintosh desktop), an optional built-in ICCCM-compliant window manager, X11R4
fonts and colors, a built-in BDF font compiler, and built-in standard
colormaps. Upgrades to MacX are available by ftp from aux.support.apple.com.
Info: 408-996-1010.
[Note: MacX is also the name of a vax-mac xmodem transfer utility.]
Also:
Liken (1-800-245-UNIX or info (+ at +) qualix.com) software enables monochrome
68000 Mac applications to run on a SPARC system running X.
Xport (1-800-245-UNIX (415-572-0200) or xport (+ at +) qualix.com) enables Mac
applications to display on an X-based workstation by turning the Mac into an X
client.
Intercon has a product called Planet-X which enables Mac applications
to display on an X server.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
call from Tony Silva to Jay Martin (+ at +) White Pine Software
(603-886-9050) 10/23/92:
- eXodus is $295/copy, 20% discount for 5-30 copies (25% for 31+), GSA
discount ~$30
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
call from Tony Silva to MacConnection 10/28/92:
- don't carry MacX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
call from Tony Silva to MacWarehouse 10/28/92:
- don't carry MacX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
call from Tony Silva to Apple (408)996-1010 10/28/92:
- call Customer Assistance Center (800)776-2333 (on west coast) for
product info
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Return-Path: < (+ at +) lenny.kaman.com:alan (+ at +) kaman.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 92 06:36:21 EST
From: Alan Piszcz <alan (+ at +) kaman.com>
To: tsilva (+ at +) sparky.aaec.com
Subject: MacX
MacX is an exellent product.
Though you may not enjoy using it on a MacPLUS.
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Return-Path: < (+ at +) dartvax.dartmouth.edu:Richard.A.Damon.III (+ at +)
dartmouth.edu>
Date: 29 Oct 92 09:10:39 EST
From: Richard.A.Damon.III (+ at +) dartmouth.edu
Subject: X windows server for MacPlus (Q)
To: Tony Silva <tsilva (+ at +) sparky.aaec.com>
Just a quick note. I've recently been working with White Pines' eXodus. I'm
about to return to MacX to veryify my subjective findings, but right now all
I can give you is impressions. eXodus beats MacX in every category. Much
smaller footprint in both disk space and memory requirements; much faster in
execution; better, more extensive protocol support. The price is better,
too. MacX is available from DEC at (I understand) $300/user as part of
Pathworks. eXodus is about $199 through MacConnection.
good luck,
Rick Damon
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Return-Path: <MICRO2.SCHWER (+ at +) crvax.sri.com>
Date: Thu, 29 OCT 92 05:50:26 PST
From: Micro Mauler <MICRO2.SCHWER (+ at +) crvax.sri.com>
To: CRVAX:; (+ at +) crvax.sri.com
Mmdf-Warning: Parse error in original version of preceding line at nic.near.net
Subject: Re: X windows server for MacPlus (Q)
Reply-To: MICRO2.SCHWER (+ at +) crvax.sri.com
Mmdf-Warning: Parse error in original version of preceding line at nic.near.net
Does any one know of any X windows servers (free, shareware, or
commercial) that will run on a MacPlus? Does anyone have any
experience in comparing the commercial products MacX and eXodus?
I know that eXodus costs about $300, and that MacX is from Apple,
but that's about it. Where can I buy MacX?
MacX is available thru authorized Apple dealers and costs about
$300+. The latest version is for System 7 only.
I don't have any experience with this software, but would be
interested in a summary of response you receive. --Len
micro2.schwer (+ at +) sri.com
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call from Tony Silva to MacConnection (800)334-4444 10/28/92:
- eXodus is $199
- there may be a quantity discount for 10+ copies
- currently on back order, they should receive s/w end of next week
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Return-Path: < (+ at +) relay2.uu.net:hallofjustice!bursik (+ at +)
uunet.uu.net>
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 92 01:47:45 EST
From: Dave Bursik <hallofjustice!bursik (+ at +) uunet.uu.net>
To: tsilva (+ at +) sparky.aaec.com
Subject: Re: X windows server for MacPlus (Q)
Tony,
Unless you've got a hefty accelerator stashed in that Mac Plus,
I wouldn't plan on trying to run X on it. Given that you would
also need to run TCP/IP, I suspect the processing load would
eat your machine and make X effectively unusable. Also, if you
only have the built-in monitor, you don't really have enough
screen real estate to run X. (X is a pig even on SPARCstations.)
If all you need is terminal windows, then something like VersaTerm
(with CTB) might do the trick. I think it can do something like
8 simultaneous sessions (term windows). Also, there's the free
MacLayers program (assumes you have a UNIX host on the other end).
I use it and it works pretty well.
Sorry I can't be more upbeat.
-Dave Bursik
LCC, Inc. / Arlington, VA / (703) 516-7398 / uunet!lccinc!bursik
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Return-Path: <brg (+ at +) dgate.org>
To: tsilva (+ at +) aaec.com
Subject: MacX
Organization: The Dimensional Gate, Inc.
From: brg (+ at +) dgate.org (Brian Gaeke)
Date: Wed, 28 Oct 92 22:17:01 -0500
X-Mailer: Fernmail 1.1
In info-mac 10:259,
>Where can I buy MacX?
MacX can be had through APDA, try apda (+ at +) applelink.apple.com
Brian Gaeke, The Dimensional Gate, Inc. Internet: brg (+ at +) dgate.org
---
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Return-Path: <HOLT (+ at +) dstl86.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1992 15:05:04 -0500 (EST)
From: HOLT (+ at +) dstl86.gsfc.nasa.gov
Subject: X windows server for MacPlus (A)
To: tsilva (+ at +) sparky.aaec.com
X-Vmsmail-To: SMTP%"tsilva (+ at +) sparky.aaec.com"
You asked,
> Does any one know of any X windows servers (free, shareware, or
> commercial) that will run on a MacPlus? Does anyone have any
> experience in comparing the commercial products MacX and eXodus? I
> know that eXodus costs about $300, and that MacX is from Apple, but
> that's about it. Where can I buy MacX?
I'm a little late on catching up with back issues of Info-Mac, but
since I don't see any replies to your questions, I'll give it a try.
I am using MacX on a Mac II with a 19" B&W display, and it works great.
I've never compared it with eXodus. The reviews I read (MacWorld, I think)
suggested that you need a good deal of power to be happy with X on a Mac
(or any platform for that matter), but I haven't tried it on something
on the level of a MacPlus.
You can buy MacX from an Apple dealer, or even straight from Apple itself.
In my case, the company I work for bought it from Falcon Microsystems,
a GSA computer supplier. MacX should be cheaper than $300; I think
list is around $200.
>From the MacX user guide:
"MacX version 1.1.7 runs on any Macintosh with at least 2 MB of RAM,
no less than 128K of ROM, and either a hard disk or a floppy disk drive
and access to a file server. MacX operates at its best if your Macintosh
has 4 MB or more of RAM and a hard disk drive. MacX requires system
software version 6.0.5 or later (including system software version 7.0)..."
Hope this helps,
Brett Holt ** holt (+ at +) dstl86.gsfc.nasa.gov
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
call from Tony Silva to Christie (+ at +) MacConnection (800)334-4444,
10/28/92:
- eXodus is $199 + $3 shipping = $202
- I gave her AAEC account #16888
- I should call back w/ PO #
- s/w (in-stock) will then be shipped airborne overnight
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
call from Tony Silva to (+ at +) MacConnection (800)334-4444, 10/28/92:
- I gave person PO #B2617
- should receive s/w tomorrow
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 92 14:14:46 PST
From: ke_reich (+ at +) rom.tcpl.ucalgary.ca
Subject: X Windows on the Mac
If anyone has information on X Windows packages on the mac, I would
appreciate hearing about them. I have looked at both MacX and Exodus and
neither package fits my needs.
My needs are fairly straightforward. I have an SCO Unix box running Open
DeskTop. On this machine, I have a phone switch management package that is
X unaware. However, In a SCO Term window, I am able to focus the mouse and
use the Xmouse to control the cursor for the management application. With
MacX, I am unable to get color windows, because MacX foolishly (and I
stress foolishly) creates new windows that have nothing to do with the Open
DeskTop screen, hence I lose color in the windows, and this is important to
the users. As well, focusing the mouse doesn't work, and mouse support is
critical. Exodus at least gives me the color and mouse support, but it's
slower than pushing rope up a hill. What is interesting to me is that my
Mac IIcx with A/UX running X is significantly faster than running Exodus on
my Mac IIci.
Again if anybody has information directing me to a better package (or
platform - a DOS machine running X will be significantly faster, but
politically incorrect :-). Thanks in advance, and I will summarize to the
net, provided of course that there are answers. As an aside, please reply
to the below listed address as I do not read info-mac.
Kevin Reichert phone: (403) 267-6290
ke_reich (+ at +) rom.tcpl.ucalgary.ca fax: (403) 267-8991
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 21 Apr 1993 14:32:58 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Michael W. Wheeler" <MWW (+ at +) tntech.edu>
Subject: Summary: MacX or eXodus (2nd try)
This is my second try at sending this to info-mac. Bill sent the file
back saying it seemed to be messed up. The MAC-L list didn't have any
problem with it. The returned message looked fine all except it had
somebody elses message appended to it. But I changed the line that
said "Thanks to:" to be "Thanks to" just in case some mailer
was
choking on the "to:" thinking it was supposed to mail it somewhere
else. Hope it works this time and sorry for the trouble.
- - - original post - - -
I'd like to thank all those who took the time to reply to my questions
about MacX and eXodus. In summary
o Both MacX and eXodus support color.
o You need MacX 1.2 for system 7.1. Which is
availble on the March 93 CD for those on DEC's
educations CSLG program.
o eXodus from White Pine may be a little slower
than MacX but eXodus is more configurable. However,
White Pine is announcing eXodus 5.0 which is supposed
to have some performance improvments according to MacWeek.
o Performance can be improved by using native Mac windows for
your clients rather than a remote window manager. This may
depend on the speed of the host and the connection between
Mac and host.
o One report of eXodus crashing when a low level debugger was
installed. No mention of the version of eXodus or the debugger.
o MacX doesn't come with FTP support however eXodus does.
o Some said it was slower than an X-terminal while others stated
the opposite. Is probably dependant on differences in X-terminal
speed as well as Mac speed, network speed and load, etc.
o There was some comments saying that the speed bottle-neck was on
the drawing speed of the Mac. Possibly the translation of X commands
to QuickDraw commands and the speed of QuickDraw.
o Those with experience on X workstations said performance would be
slower regardless of the Mac setup. If I get a Mac for doing X-windows
on then I can report my 2 cents worth on that subject later.
o Over whelming response that MacX was totally brain dead when it came
to mapping the 3-button mouse to the keyboard. eXodus is supposedly
a little better in this respect but everyone said BUY A 3-BUTTON MOUSE!
o Some recommended MacX other recommended eXodus. But the basic tone of
all the messages was that there wasn't anyone that hated either
product.
So since MacX is included with Pathworks for the Macintosh I'll use it.
If it's extremely frustrating then I'll take a look at eXodus.
Thanks to
Stan Kerr, kerr (+ at +) ux1.cso.uiuc.edu
Spencer Marks, spencer (+ at +) MathWorks.COM
Peter Fenyes, PFENYES (+ at +) CMSA.gmr.com
Glockzin Donald, Glockzin_Donald (+ at +) macmail1.fwrdc.rtsg.mot.com
Jeff Schlimmer, schlimme (+ at +) eecs.wsu.edu
Dave Leiner, leiner (+ at +) leiner.mtv.gtegsc.com
Mel Martinez, mem (+ at +) jhufos.pha.jhu.edu
Trevor Hyde, trevor.hyde (+ at +) NSCSupport.COM
Tony Silva, tsilva (+ at +) sparky.aaec.com
F. Arthur Cochrane, cochranea (+ at +) srs.gov
JP Weaver, weaver (+ at +) sherlock.chinalake.navy.mil
Brian Hutchison, brian (+ at +) harpo.ampr.ab.ca
Malcolm Slaney, malcolm (+ at +) apple.com
for replying to me.
Michael W. Wheeler (Bitnet: mww (+ at +) tntech) (Internet: mww (+ at +)
tntech.edu)
VAX/VMS Systems Support, Tennessee Technological University
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 93 20:37:30 EDT
From: Tony Silva <tsilva (+ at +) harpo.aaec.com>
Subject: X server h/w and s/w, including 3-button mice (S)
Here are my OPINIONS on various X-Windows-related Mac products that
I've compared.
I've tried both the Mouse Systems A3 Mouse and the Logitech MouseMan
on my Mac LC III. I like the action of the A3 Mouse (it's optical; the
MouseMan has a roller ball). However, the current CDEV for the A3
Mouse does not yet work on the LC III. Rumor has it that it's due to
an Apple ADB (not Mouse Systems) bug. The folks at Mouse Systems told
me a new CDEV would be released in a month or two. They have an
electronic bulletin board, so getting a new version should be fast
once it becomes available. The CDEV shipped with my MouseMan also did
not work on the LC III, but a new version was available on Logitech's
bulletin board, and it works like a champ. The MouseMan CDEV also is
more flexible to configure.
And now, moving on to X server software...
On various intensive client-update operations that I tried (xdvi
document previewing, xterm text typeout, plotting and homebrew GUI's
in matlab, etc.), MacX was almost twice as fast as eXodus. I set each
server application up for maximal performance at the expense of all
else. I should also mention that I have an FPU in my LC III, and that
the version of eXodus I was using (and presumably the MacX
application, as well) uses it.
There doesn't seem to be an easy way to use the Command key as a
Control key in MacX as can be done using eXodus (with the appropriate
"xmodmap" command on the client side). However, you can use the Caps
Lock key instead. This requires removing the latching mechanism inside
the keyboard, which is not that hard to do on my Apple Keyboard II.
eXodus is a little more flexible w.r.t. assignments of mouse/keystroke
equivalents.
I'm very interested in hearing other people's opinions on X-related
Mac h/w and s/w, particularly if they don't agree with my own. Many
thanks to all who responded to my requests for info:
tuc (+ at +) cs.wisc.edu (Brian A. Cole)
Bob Stewart <rlstewart (+ at +) eng.xyplex.com>
James Stricherz <stricher (+ at +) masig.fsu.edu>
Fearghas McKay <fearghas (+ at +) challis.demon.co.uk>
mldickens (+ at +) bbn.com (Michael L. Dickens)
"Alan Hewat, ILL Grenoble" <hewat (+ at +) ill.fr>
kerr (+ at +) ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Stan Kerr)
Tony Silva, Atlantic Aerospace Elec. Corp., (617)890-4200, tsilva (+ at +)
aaec.com
_______________________________________________________________________________
Tony Silva tel: (617)890-4200
Atlantic Aerospace Electronics Corp. FAX: (617)890-0224
470 Totten Pond Road Internet: tsilva (+ at +) aaec.com
Waltham, MA 02154