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From: idall@augean.OZ.AU.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: X-windows
Message-ID: <8705010138.AA27919@seismo.CSS.GOV>
Date: Fri, 1-May-87 12:36:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: seismo.8705010138.AA27919
Posted: Fri May  1 12:36:15 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 2-May-87 02:04:47 EDT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
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I have read a little about X-windows in the network news but my understanding
of what it is is a bit fuzzy. Any information would be appreciated but
I would in particular like to know:

	1) What it can do. Presumably it manages windows  (!) Does it
	   provide a user interface to for example create, move, remove
	   and change the size of windows, or is it a more primative
	   layer which a user interface can sit on top of? Does it define
	   a graphics interface so that graphics applications can be written
	   for X with no further knowlege of the hardware involved?

	2) What Unices it works under and how difficult it would be to
	   port it to others.

	3) How dependant it is on the graphics hardware and whether it
	   is difficult to port it to different hardware.

	4) How much software is available for X.

I have a NS ICM 3216 based system which I would like to run X or something
similar on. I have not acquired any graphics hardware yet so the need is
not all that urgent!

Thanks.


	Ian Dall
	Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
	University of Adelaide
	GPO Box 498
	Adelaide    5001
	AUSTRALIA
	
	Email: idall@augean.OZ