[comp.windows.x] MS-DOS X Server

bae@ati.tis.llnl.gov (Hwa Jin Bae) (01/28/88)

At X conference, Robert Scheifler mentioned that a group of people at AT&T
are implementing an X server for MS-DOS and looking for some volunteers.
How's this effort coming along?  I didn't volunteer because of my immediate
tasks, etc. but since I'm having problems getting Locus' UNIX V.3 X server
for my 386 PC, I would like to take their unfinished server implementation and
see if I can make it work on my system: Zenith Z-386 running Microport UNIX
system V.3 with EGA.  My interest is in a sample ddX/device driver part 
written for EGA or VGA type monitor (maybe also Hercules).  As to STREAMS/TLI 
IPC interface, I think I can pretty much figure it out.  If I can't, I can 
always look at HP's System V implementation which uses sockets, and buy socket 
library for my ethernet board.  Can any one related to above mentioned server 
implementation effort please contact me?  I am becoming desperate here.
Thanks...
Hwa Jin Bae
Control Data Corp.     bae@{ati,aftac}.tis.llnl.gov        (Internet)
4234 Hacienda Drive    {ames,ihnp4,lll-crg}!lll-tis!bae    (UUCP)
Pleasanton, CA 94566   hbae@plseca                         (smail)

uejiowh@wscad4.crd.ge.COM (06/06/89)

Are there any commercially or public domain X servers available ?

I would like to have the name, phone number, and/or e-mail address of
the companies.  If it is of interest to the net, I will summerize and 
publish all the information I receive.

thanks,
Wayne Uejio
General Electric CRD
KW-D252
P.O. Box 8
Schenectady,  NY 12301

518-387-6441

Internet Address:  uejiowh@crd.ge.com
uunet Address:     uunet!mohawk.crd.ge.com!whu

MMahmud.ESM8@XEROX.COM (06/07/89)

Hi, Wayne.

I see your ARPA address changed.  This is in response to your request for MSDOS X servers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


                     MS-DOS X WINDOW SERVERS
 
 
 
In response to my query to the XPERT list about X Window Servers
for MS-DOS, bae@ati.tis.llnl.gov  provided me with very helpful
information:
 
   Basically there are three different implementations I am aware of:
   
 
   1. Previously posted by Ben Faul of Locus Computing: 
 
   "Locus Computing Corporation has built an X11 based PC Server.
   The software is currently operational and is in alpha test right
   now. Locus will show the server at the Unix Forum in Dallas,
   February 8th through 11th. 
 
   The following specifications describe what the Locus PC Windows
   Server looks like: 
 
        1.  Full implementation of the X Version 11.1 server as
            defined by MIT. 
 
        2.  Runs on 8088, 8086, 80286, and 80386 PC's. Requires 
            640k ram. Does NOT require EMS memory. 
 
        3.  Runs under MS-DOS version 3.1 or higher. 
 
        4.  Supports EGA and VGA graphics adaptors in sixteen
            color mode. Over 37 different adaptors are supported by
            the Locus PC Windows Server. 
 
        5.  Compatible with Locus Computing Corporation's other
            products: PC-Interface (network file system) and
            MERGE/386 (Simultaneous UNIX/DOS operation on the
            same host). 
 
        6.  Uses outboard TCP/IP via the EXCELAN EXOS 205T
            Ethernet adaptor. 
 
        7.  Will soon support inboard TCP/IP for the 3COM 3C501,
            MICOM NI5010, MICOM NI5210, and Ungerman Bass
            Ethernet cards. Additionally, the Proteon ProNet4 and
            IBM Token Ring adaptors will be supported as well. 
 
   Enquiries about the Locus PC Windows Server should be directed
   to Ben Faul at Locus Computing Corporation.  
 
        Tel: 213-452-2435 
        Fax: 213-450-1432 
 
        Address: Locus Computing Corporation 
                 3330 Ocean Park Boulevard 
                 Santa Monica, CA 90405 
 
      Email: bilbo.benf@cs.ucla.edu 
            ucbvax!trwrb!lcc!bilbo.benf 
   "
 
 
   2. Rick Kiessig of IDI posted: 
 
      "Subject: X Windows for the IBM PC/XT/AT now available! 
      Newsgroups: comp.windows.x 
 
      We're happy to announce the availability of an X Windows
      V10R4 Server for the IBM PC/XT/AT under PC/DOS.  Now use
      your inexpensive PC as a graphics display, while running your
      applications on remote machines with more horsepower.  It
      requires an Excelan ethernet board, an optical 3-button PC
      Mouse and a Hercules Graphics card.  Other combinations of
      devices and color displays will be supported in the near
      future.  Prices: 
 
         $99.95 1st copy of server 
          89.95 2nd thru 10th copies 
          79.95 11th and up copies 
         $595 source code for one machine 
 
      All software comes with a free first update, and is not copy
      protected (we like to think that our prices are low enough
      that it's not worth having to deal with pirated copies). 
      OEM/VAR terms and source code are available -- call for
      details. 
 
      We also have Excelan cards with transceivers for $1295, the
      Optical PC Mouse for $99.95, and Hercules Cards for $59.95. 
 
      The software comes with an installation guide and implementa-
      tion notes (1 copy per order).  An X Programmer's Guide is
      available separately for $34.95 (man pages and Xlib document).
      
 
      We'd like to think our product is competitively priced and is a
      quality implementation.  We think you'll agree. 
 
      For more information contact: 
 
         PC-X Windows Sales Mgr. 
         Intelligent Decisions, Inc. 
         P.O. Box 50174 
         Palo Alto, CA 94303 
 
         408-996-2399 
 
      Or simply send your check or purchase order to the above
      address (don't forget sales tax if the order is shipped to
      California).  M/C or VISA is also OK. 
 
      We'll be releasing V11R1+ and versions for the 3Com Ethernet
      card, EGA, CGA and so on in the very near future. 
      "
 
The third source mentioned by bae@ati.tis.llnl.gov was Cognition
Systems.  I have tried to contact Cognition via net-mail, but have
received no response.
 
bae@ati.tis.llnl.gov also mentioned that GraphOn, a graphics terminal
vendor, was reportedly working on a dedicated X Terminal. 
GraphOn reported to me that they were doing some development on
such a terminal but that it was too early to talk about it.  GraphOn
is maintaining a mailing list of interested ntact: GraphOn,
408-371-8500.
 
At the Uniforum Conference, I made an informal poll of vendors:
 
   Bell Technologies of Fremont, California has MS-DOS X Window
   Server software.  At Uniforum, Bell was offering a **special**
   consisting of the software plus a 19-inch Moniterm Monitor, a PC
   AT high resolution graphics controller and some miscellaneous
   software for $995.  Contact  Dimitri Rotow, Bell Technologies,
   800-FOR-UNIX or 415-659-9097 (California).
 
   Espirit is a terminal vendor that currently has a diskless LAN
   connected (ARCNET) PC product called the LAN Terminal.  The
   company has seen considerable interest in MS-DOS X Server
   Terminals and is developing a product that will be a diskless PC
   with LAN interface and X software.  X Server software might be
   in ROM and price might be close to that of the LAN Terminal
   which is $1095.  Contact: Salvatore Lanuto, Espirit, 516-293-5600
 
   Intelligent Decisions confirmed that they were shipping an X v10
   based MS-DOS X Server software package and that they would in
   the future provide an X v11 version. 
 
   Interfirm Graphics has developed and markets 386-based graphics
   hardware and software.  The company is working on a hardware/-
   software MS-DOS X Server Terminal which will be based on the
   386 and will include X Server software in ROM.  The price
   should be around $3500.  Contact: Morgan Stuart, Interfirm
   Graphic Systems, 408-279-3890.
 
   Locus MS-DOS X Window Server product is called PC-Xsight. 
   The price is $395 and I believe the company is shipping the
   product now.
 
 

werner@nikhefk.UUCP (Werner Vogels) (06/08/89)

In article <890607-084042-2915@Xerox> MMahmud.ESM8@XEROX.COM writes:
......
>   Locus MS-DOS X Window Server product is called PC-Xsight. 

We have this product. It was presented to us as the IBM release of X. It is a
server on the MSDOS machine (xondos) to which you can connect X clients 
running on other machines. But don't get to exited. We have PS/2's model
30/286 with 1 Mb. The maximum number of windows is *** 3 ****. You cannot run 
an xedit because there are to many small windows. It returns with a failure on 
memory allocation. The colors are alrigth, but the whole server is with more 
then one xterm present very very slow. The uwm menu's show about 10 second 
after pressing a button.

We do not sell or develop another produkt, my motives for publising our 
experiences is pure frudtration about an expensive produkt that does not suit 
its promises.

werner. (werner@nikhefk)