X Window System at 40
The X Window System, originating in 1984, celebrated its 40th anniversary. Key points include its evolution, open-source nature, and debates on successors like Wayland. Its lasting impact on computing environments is acknowledged.
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The X Window System recently marked its 40th anniversary, with its origins dating back to June 19, 1984, when Bob Scheifler announced the first release. Initially developed for the VS100, X evolved into a usable system by version 11 in 1987. David Rosenthal, a key contributor, shared insights on the system's development and its enduring presence in the tech landscape. Despite the innovative NeWS project's capabilities, X11 gained prominence due to factors like its open-source nature under the MIT license and compatibility with existing Unix systems. The system's longevity has sparked discussions on its continued relevance, with debates on successors like Wayland. Observations on X's historical significance and practical usage in academic and professional settings highlight its lasting impact on computing environments. As the tech community reflects on X's journey, its legacy as a foundational window system remains a testament to its enduring influence in the digital realm.
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X debut 40 years ago (1984)
Robert W. Scheifler introduced the X window system in June 1984 for the VS100 Unix server, offering improved performance over W. The system was stable, with the Laboratory for Computer Science already transitioning to X and developing applications. Scheifler encouraged experimentation and welcomed volunteers for documentation contributions.
Let's write a video game from scratch like it's 1987
Philippe Gaultier created Minesweeper in 1987 using X11 without libraries, resulting in a compact executable. The article explores X authentication, Odin language usage, and minimalistic GUI development, offering insights into X11 intricacies. Source code is on GitHub.
40 years later, X Window System is far more relevant than anyone could guess
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X Window System at 40
The X Window System, released in 1984 by Bob Scheifler, celebrated its 40th anniversary. It evolved into X11 in 1987, gaining popularity for its open-source nature and compatibility with existing applications. Reflecting on its impact, commentators highlight its resilience and continued relevance.
2 commentsRelated
X debut 40 years ago (1984)
Robert W. Scheifler introduced the X window system in June 1984 for the VS100 Unix server, offering improved performance over W. The system was stable, with the Laboratory for Computer Science already transitioning to X and developing applications. Scheifler encouraged experimentation and welcomed volunteers for documentation contributions.
Let's write a video game from scratch like it's 1987
Philippe Gaultier created Minesweeper in 1987 using X11 without libraries, resulting in a compact executable. The article explores X authentication, Odin language usage, and minimalistic GUI development, offering insights into X11 intricacies. Source code is on GitHub.
40 years later, X Window System is far more relevant than anyone could guess
The X Window System, developed by Scheifler and Gettys at MIT, remains relevant after 40 years. Its evolution from X10r4 to X11 brought graphical capabilities, cross-platform compatibility, and enduring value in academia and beyond.
I found an 8 years old bug in Xorg
An 8-year-old Xorg bug related to epoll misuse was found by a picom developer. The bug caused windows to disappear during server lock, traced to CloseDownClient events. Despite limited impact, the developer seeks alternative window tree updates, emphasizing testing and debugging tools.
X Window System at 40
The X Window System, released in 1984 by Bob Scheifler, celebrated its 40th anniversary. It evolved into X11 in 1987, gaining popularity for its open-source nature and compatibility with existing applications. Reflecting on its impact, commentators highlight its resilience and continued relevance.