Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 15:55:12 -0800 (PST) From: Ben Manes <anarchy@crl.com> To: gummibear@we.mediaone.net Cc: newbies@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Unix Desktop Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.981224153604.6994A-100000@crl.crl.com> In-Reply-To: <3.0.1.32.19981224133345.006990d4@we.mediaone.net>
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> Lately, I have basically evaluating the X Windows system, and I just can't > figure out why it hasn't been made any easier for average users. I can't > figure out why antialiased fonts (such as true type fonts) haven't been > made the standard. I can't figure out why there hasn't been a solution to > the problem of not having a standardized Interface (or a few standardized > interfaces to choose from when developing applications or whatever - choice > isn't a bad thing). I can't figure out why the standard X libraries and > widget set hasn't been given the 90's look and feel (ala qt libraries). I'd guess that all of that can't be standardized because UNIX is a mob of different standards. If some group says here's the standard, do you really expect Sun, HP, SCO, DEC, BSDs, Linux(es), etc. to all just jump in and embrace it? The momentum behind Linux is against standardizing, because to many that's what they conceve windows to be. Once you standardize, you reduce choice, power, and expandability for greater functionality. UNIX is slowly evolving in functionality.. but it has a ways to go and I'd rather developers find ways to make it more user friendly so any desktop enviroment can be used, but all efficently. Its harder, but doesn't hinder progress (ie. windows is built on dos to provide functionality, and therefor both 9x and NT (which has to be compatable with 9x) are hindered). > Well actually that's one reason I don't get rid of windows. She also likes > AOL Instant Messager so she can keep in contact with her family. The tcl > version seems to need some work. I don't know anything about the java > version to evaluate it. Tell her to switch to ICQ. Aol bought them, and will likely replace instant messanger sooner or later. Also, ICQ is working on a X-windows version (a friend is on a command-line version), so watch for it... ICQ also has more features.. > I'm just wondering is there an alternative to X Windows? Has another I think X Windows is just an artifical name for the UNIX guis. Solaris and BSD have different programming for their GUIs, but there both X and run ontop of the UNIX kernals. > I have also been wondering if a java based window manager can be created Java is slow, and since X windows is meant as for the person siting at the workstation, its pointless writing it (or a windows manager) in a language meant for streamlining the data through a network. C++ is far faster and so it makes more sense.. and picoJava (a Sun java accelerator chip) was killed and may one day be integrated into systems, but those are set-top boxes, handhelds, etc. Oh, and about being hating christmass.. I know the feeling.. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-newbies" in the body of the message
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