X windows on os x

[ITz The MaN]

What is the best way to use X windows on os X, and how can I get it on my machine?! And once I do get it, can I use X windows programs compiled for Intel or do I have to recompile them for my PPC?
Thanx!

[iconara]

if the apps are compiled for another processor you need to recompile in order to get them to work.

x-win; there are a few threads discussing the issue, but none of them (that I have read) have come up with an answer. sorry.


theo

[strobe]

There are three methods to run X11 in OS X:

1) XFree86 4 has been ported. However it needs it's own screen to work (doesn't co-exist with Quartz).

2) Xtools, commercial X11 server which co-exists with Quartz. Expensive but will eventually run GLX stuff.

3) Xvnc has been ported a long time ago. There are six viewers you can use. Still a bit slow for some reason.

[Vroomfondel]

4) WeirdX. See http://www.jcraft.com/weirdx/

[mcreiss]

Can XFree86 be installed over Xtools without damage ?
MC

[zpincus]

In another thread ( gnome/kde from terminal )I wrote a bit and gave some links about the various methods of getting up and running with an X server. There's also some stuff about KDE/Gnome apps and porting these tools.I myself have been wondering about how well Xfree8 and Xtools would live together. I would imagine that you would have problems installing one over the other, but has anyone asked Tenon? They seem pretty helpful.

[strobe]

Originally posted by mcreiss
Can XFree86 be installed over Xtools without damage ?
MC

Yea, some headers will be overwritten but they are equivalent or identical headers

[rsteed]

Tenon actually uses the XFree86 4.0 Libraries for Xtools. The following excerpt is from their site:

"Xtools is a full implementation of the X Windows system running on Mac OS X. Based on X11R6.4, Xtools inherits the clean, fast, stable, and portable codebase from XFree86. Integration with the Aqua environment is enabled by building the X server on top of Cocoa and QuickDraw, providing a rootless X windows display while still retaining the ability to use native applications."

Basically, Xtools is a window manager designed to live with Quartz. You are free to do whatever you wish with your XFree86 installation (except remove it). You can still run XFree86 with another window manager outside of Quartz if you wish.

Pretty smart if you ask me. No sense in reinventing the wheel and they are probably making contibutions to the XFree86 codebase too.