[no subject]

[Mark Forster <forster ( ( at ) ) computing.nibsc.ac.UK>]

 Subject: PC as a graphics terminal.
 Dear computational chemists,
 In response to Amram Golombek's call for information on using a PC
 as an X-windows graphics terminal I offer the following advice.
 We have a very similar set up to you, i.e. an IBM 70/386 with a 3COM
 ethernet card and SUN's PC-NFS software to provide the TCP/IP network
 transfer protocol. With this software remote login and file transfers
 are possible using the telnet and ftp programs respectively. In order
 to become an (X-windows) graphics terminal the PC needs an X-windows
 server package, I am currently using PC-Xview from Graphic Software
 Systems, 9750 SW Gemini Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97005, Tel:
 503/641-2200. This works on top of the PC-NFS software layer but can
 use about 6 other TCPIP products. Many other PC X-server packages
 are available but I have not performed any comparative evaluation.
 There is often much confusion for newcomers to X on the exact
 nature of the terms 'client' and 'server' and the way that their
 usage on X is different to that in other spheres of computing.
 A simple explanation is as follows. A server is a piece of hardware
 or software that provides a service (obviously!). In the case of a
 disk or compute server provide storage or CPU these are typically
 on a remote machine. An X-server is a piece of software that provides
 a graphical service, redrawing windows, detecting mouse clicks etc.
 This obviously needs to run on a local machine and therein lies the
 apparent difference between the term 'server' in X usage and other areas.
 The X-server responds to requests from the application program often
 called the 'client'. On a workstation the client can be on either the
 local machine or on a remote machine (such as a beefy compute server).
 A PC type machine will typically run the X-server only, the client will
 be remote, X development software that allows X client programs to be
 written for and run on a DOS/PC is not yet available.
 The true beauty of X lies in it's ability to write portable graphics
 software that is network transparent, i.e. where the compute and
 display parts can (if desired) be run on separate machines connected
 by a network. The display device can even be set from the command line
 with no need for special code or recompilation - classy stuff.
 If you knew all this already - my apologies.
 Best Wishes
 Mark J. Forster
 forster ( ( at ) ) comp.nibsc.ac.uk
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