Conference bulova::decw_jan-89_to_nov-90

437.0. "ACM X-windows article" by UBEAUT::LUK (Don't worry, be yuppie) Sun Mar 19 1989 22:04

    G'day,

    I have just dug up an old copy of the ACM Transactions on Graphics,
    and read an interesting article.  This may be interesting for
    new (and even seasoned) DEC/X-windows users or programmers.
    You should be able to find it at your local college or university library.

    ACM Transactions on Graphics
    April, 1986, Volume 5 number 2.
    pp 79-109

    "The X Window System"
	by Robert Scheifler (MIT) and Jim Gettys (DEC)

    It gives a good introductory insight into how X-windows works, and why
    certain things were done in a certain way.  Interesting excerpts:

    "Support for 3-D graphics is not listed as a requirement, but this is not
     to say it is unimportant.  We simply have not considered 3-D graphics,
     owing to lack of expertise and lack of time."

    "... since we believe that most displays have a one-to-one aspect ratio;
     in this regard X is arguably device dependent."

    "Special thanks go to Digital Equipment Corporation.  A redesign of the
     protocol and a reimplementation of the server to deal with color and to
     increase performance were made possible with funding ..."