From: julien@sdc.boeing.com (William Julien)
Newsgroups: fj.mail-lists.x-window
Subject: Re: X Server for MS-Windows
Date: 28 Aug 92 12:58:34 GMT
Distribution: fj
Organization: Boeing Computer Services (ESP), Seattle, WA

Date: 27 Aug 92 06:50:06 GMT
Message-Id: <6539@fury.BOEING.COM>
Newsgroups: comp.windows.misc,comp.windows.ms,comp.windows.x

Xvision acts as an X11R4 server to clients running on a remote host
computer. It does not matter what this computer is, it just must be
able to run X applications and communicate accross an ethernet.
(although VisionWare has a communications support program called "PC
Connect" which will work across modem) Xvision has two modes, "Multiple
window" and "Single Window" mode. In "single window" mode, all X
clients will appear inside a standard WIN3 window.  I suppose, if one
only had a limited of client mode would be OK, but X clients have a
little less desktop space and the HOST must provide the window
management. Xvision does provide for "panning", but although it is fast
enough, I found it distracting.  It is only in single window mode that
one can clients that use motif, standard X11r4 and some sunview
clients.  I tested PC XVIEW, which required host window management, and
it was VERY (read... almost as bad as TSO) slooooow.

Xvision provides in it's other mode (Multiple window), a window manager
that looks very much like motif.  Or, purhaps I should say, they work
just like WIN3 applications. All the examples in their manual are in
Multiple window mode, and IMHO, it is in this mode that the product was
intended to be run. It depends on your supporting TCP/IP software, on
whether you can run the PC in standard mode.  I have run a number of X
applications, (like frame maker, crayperf and all the standard X stuff)
and I only had problems with DEC's calendaring and desktop.

Xvision supports directly the networking software by FTP called
PC/TCP.  The Virtual X driver (VxD) by FTP software works fast, but it
does require windows to be running in enhanced mode. They support NFS
virtual drives.  Xvision supports a number of other networks, including
Sun's PCNFS version 3.5, but Sun does not provide a VxD.

I recommend FTP's PC/tcp network software. There support is OUTSTANDING
(support@ftp.com) and they have a "VxD" device driver VxD", which
stands for "Virtual X Driver" (VPCTCP.386). It allows multiple PC/TCP
applications to access the PC/TCP kernel while running Microsoft
Windows in 386 Enhanced mode. The VxD uses about 5k of memory and it
"manages" int61 calls to the kernal from multiple applications.  This
means that I do not need to run a TSR before loading WIN3 to allow
Xvision to have as many network connections active as is configured in
the PC/TCP kernal. (max 32) This driver also allows multiple instances
of DOS based terminal emulation packages like WalkerRicher & Quinn's
"Reflection 4" to run concurrent with my Xvision clients.  I use WRQ's
R4 to give me very good telnet terminal emulation to our non-unix
systems on our network.  Right now I am running Xmail, Xload, Xman, and
4 xterm clients as well as R4, Excel, word for windows, file manager
and a couple of other windows utilities. (It helps to have lots of
memory) Windows 3.1 is highly recomented.

Xvision's window manager works just as fast as WIN31. I would not want
to try this on a 12mhz 286. (I have a 23mhz 386 with 10 megs) This
stuff is moderatly memory hungry so unless your 286 is loaded with
memory (with a goodly portion allocated to a disk cache) and a 1024x768
vidio card with an onboard graphics processor.... come to think if it,
I wish I had a faster video card with my 386.  I have turned on
"backing store", to reduce network traffic, and I have enough memory to
run some large excel spreadsheets.  My CPU is running at about 5 to 15
percent utilization, (at least when not running excel) but screen
writes are kinda slow. No slower than any other WIN3 app, but still;
screen updates do have a noticeable scroll. I have not run into any
"serious" problems, unless I start too many X clients and max out the
number of available packets and TCP connections. I can increase the
connections to 32, but the it will erode the availability if my low
system memory (located below the 1meg mark) causing my system to thrash
(read: to much swapping in and out). FTP is expected to release PC/TCP
version 2.10 (i think) which is rumored to reduce 3c500 memory impacts by
85%.  I have had trouble with "screen peace", but that was not critical
since Xvision provides a very boring screen saver. I guess if I'm not
there to look at the screen, it doen't have to be pretty. (sigh) The
only other problem I could not get Xvision's "Program starter" to start
my initial client. I think my IPCUST file's nameserver entry is setup
incorrectly, but it hasn't been that important to spend 10 minutes and
fix it.  The program starter uses rexec, and although more secure; I
really much perfer using rsh; which if the .rhost file is set up
correctly, it eliminates the need for host password maintenance on the
PC

I am not connected with VisionWare, WRQ or FTP -- I'm just a happy customer.
For imformation contact:
Chris at VisionWare...
Cost is US$ 499, details from vware@visionware.co.uk.  Or
contact Unipress Software on +1 201-985-8000 or Graphic Software
Systems on +1 503-641-2200.
         VISIONWARE LTD, 57 Cardigan Lane, LEEDS LS4 2LE, England
    Tel +44 532 788858.  Fax +44 532 304676.  Email chris@visionware.co.uk
-------------- "VisionWare:   The home of DOS/UNIX/X integration" -------------