From: hart@waterloo.hp.com (Tony Hart)
Subject: Re: VUE/RX (sp?) local window manager
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 22:19:43 GMT
Organization: HP Panacom Div Waterloo ON Canada
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]

David Karr (dkarr@sierra.com) wrote:
: I've noticed some mentions of a product for the 700/RX which is a
: locally-executing version of "vuewm".
: 
: What is the status of that product?

It's part of the B.04.00 release of 700/RX software, which started shipping in 
November. This software includes a number of local clients:

    1) 'vuerx' (VUE/RX) - This is roughly equivalent to VUE Lite (shipped with 
    HP-UX 9.0) and provides multiple workspaces and a control panel (but no VUE 
    style manager or file manager). It does not require that VUE be installed 
    on the host machine and can be used with all supported hosts (HP 9000, Sun 
    SPARC, and soon, SCO ODT, and RS/6000).
    2) 'vuewm' (FrontEnd VUE) - This provides full compatibility with HP-VUE 
    but requires that VUE 3.0 be installed on the host machine. (The VUE style 
    manager and file manager actually run on the host.)
    3) 'mwm' - A true OSF/Motif 1.1 window manager.
    4) 'twm' - The standard X11 window manager. This is provided as a
    convenience for users who want to run a local window manager but have 
    limited X terminal memory, but it is unsupported.
    5) 'hpterm' - The standard HP terminal emulator.
    6) 'xterm' - The standard X11 terminal emulator.

: What does it cost?

If you have purchased a Software Update Materials support contract, you should
automatically receive a copy of the B.04.00 software. Otherwise, you will have
to buy a tape or CD-ROM (US$695 list price).

: Are there any disadvantages to using it?  For instance, are all of the same
: options for customization available as in the host-executing version?  Does
: it adversely affect the amount of memory available in the 700/RX?

The main disadvantage is the need for additional memory in the X terminal. Plan
on having at least 10MB installed (although 'twm' will probably work with 6MB).
To customize VUE/RX you will need to edit some ASCII configuration files (this
is fairly easy). FrontEnd VUE is customized the same way as host-based VUE.
Both 'mwm' and 'twm' can use standard configuration files.

: How much of an advantage towards host CPU and host memory usage does it
: create?

Unless your host is running out of CPU horsepower and/or memory you may not 
notice much of an advantage! Overall performance should be comparable and the 
reduction of LAN traffic is minimal. In the absolute sense, you may not even 
save memory, since the memory use shifts from the host (which allows memory
sharing) to the individual X terminals (which cannot share memory with each
other). On the other hand, if your host is already topped out for memory, by 
using local clients you may be able to get away with adding more seats. Also,
when running off a non-HP host, VUE/RX has some nice features that aren't 
available with a host-based window manager.

Hope this helps!

Tony Hart,
Panacom Automation Division,
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd.

Standard Disclaimer:
All opinions expressed are my own and do not represent an official statement of
the Hewlett-Packard Company.
From: tonyc@a4430ux.esr.hp.com ( Tony Cox (SR) )
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 01:46:12 GMT
Subject: Re: 3270 Emulation Software for HPUX
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Rockville