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From: dona@ncr-fc.FtCollins.NCR.COM (Don Allingham)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: X and Display Postscript
Message-ID: <184@ncr-fc.FtCollins.NCR.COM>
Date: 20 Jan 89 15:08:22 GMT
Organization: NCR MED Ft. Collins, CO
Lines: 32


I am relatively new to the X system.  I've done a small amount of programming 
using Xlib, Xt, and Open Dialogue.  Overall, I'm impressed with the system, 
especially with its portibility.  

I recently saw a demo of Steve Jobs NeXT machine at a local university.  The 
machine uses DisplayPostscript instead of X.  It was *very* impressive.  Screen
displays were *much* faster than X on my Sun 3/60.  Is this typical of 
DisplayPostscript, or is it just the NeXT machine?  How does Sun's
NeWS (which I believe also uses DisplayPostscript) match against X?

In addition, NeXT provides an interface builder, which allows complex user
interfaces to be developed in minutes (I've heard rumors the HP is coming up
with something similar for X).  The buttons, scrollbars, text windows, etc.,
where much more complex (and better looking) than anything I've seen under X so
far.  Why?  Is DisplayPostscript better than X?  Or has NeXT devoted more
effort to the problem?  Or does NeXT have an advantage of only worrying about
their machine?

How does Big Blue fit into the picture?  They have licenced NeXT's interface.
Will this damage the X standard's acceptance?  Sun is supposedly developing a
NeWS/X server to allow both systems to co-exist.  Is this the best approach?
Also the GNU project is supposedly building "Ghostscript" into X.

As you can see, I have a lot of questions about graphics standards.  I don't
know enough yet to make a good decision.  Any comments would be appreciated.

===============================================================================
Don Allingham               
NCR Microelctronics	    	
Fort Collins CO, 80525      
(303) 223-5100 ext. 378