Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!apple!limbo!taylor
From: taylor@limbo.Intuitive.Com (Dave Taylor)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: X Window Emulator for the Mac
Keywords: X, Apple
Message-ID: <722@limbo.Intuitive.Com>
Date: 2 May 90 06:15:23 GMT
References: <20489@boulder.Colorado.EDU>
Reply-To: taylor@limbo.Intuitive.Com (Dave Taylor)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Intuitive Systems, Mountain View, CA: +1 (415) 966-1151
Lines: 40

Jim Meiss of UC Boulder asks:

> I have heard that Apple makes an X window emulator for the Mac...

There are actually two different products that offer X Windows on
the Macintosh; eXodus from White Pine Software, and MacX from Apple.
eXodus takes the approach of offering a MultiFinder compatible single
window which acts as a "virtual X Terminal"; that is, all of your
X windows appear *within* the eXodus window.  Kind of funky, but it
does give you some advantages (especially if you're on a multi-head
(e.g. multiple monitor) Macintosh setup).  White Pine only this weeka
announced an upgrade of the product to version 2.0, which now includes
support for color X applications, as well as better performance (partly
due to it being now written around X11R4 rather than R3).  Note that
with this new version you can also open up to six different "virtual
X terminals" at once (which is a great boon, sort of like a poor
persons MIT ROOMS paradigm).

On the other hand, MacX from Apple, which isn't yet shipping but has
been announced, is a beautiful, seamless integration of X Windows and
the familiar Macintosh desktop.  You can have individual X windows on
your screen interleaved and overlapping with Multifinder windows.  You
can also easily cut and paste between X and Mac application (not to
mention A/UX applications).  Apple has shown this product at a number
of different shows now, including Xhibition and MacWorld.  

Which is best?  Well, it depends on what you want.  Find a reputable
dealer that has both running and try them both out.  Alternatively, I
know that both the Apple and White Pine folk are good people, so you
might well arrange for a month or two evaluation of each unit side by
side to ascertain which is best for your particular needs.

	In any case, let us know what your choice is and why!  (and
	please post that article to comp.sys.mac.comm, if you can)

						-- Dave Taylor
Intuitive Systems
Mountain View, California

taylor@limbo.intuitive.com    or   {uunet!}{decwrl,apple}!limbo!taylor