MacX 1.5 is Apple Computer's enhanced X Window System server for the Apple Power Macintosh and 680x0-based Macintosh platforms. MacX lets users work with Macintosh applications and network-based X client applications simultaneously on their desktops.
Here are some of the features that are new to MacX 1.5:
* X11R5 compliance
* Acceleration for Power Macintosh computers (fat binary for PowerPC-based
and 680x0-based support)
* Performance tuning for 680x0 computers (new compiler)
* Standard X11R6 fonts (.PCF and .BDF files)
* Standard X11 font server access
* Standard X11 XDM support (for starting Unix X sessions)
* Support for XIE (X Image Extension) on PowerPC platforms
* A sample font directory with CDE font aliases
* Balloon Help
* Single-button installation
* Support for core Apple events
* New remote login option (RSH)
* Upgrade to MacTCP 2.0.6
MacX 1.5 retains many of the MacX 1.2 features, including support for multiple monitors, the ability to display rooted and rootless windows simultaneously, built-in window management for rootless windows, and the ability to cut and paste text and graphics.
System Requirements
===================
* System 7.0 or higher
* Apple Macintosh with 68030 or 68040, or Power Macintosh processor
- 680x0 users will benefit from having 8 or more megabytes (MB) of RAM
- Full installation requires approximately 13 MB of disk space
- Minimal installation requires approximately 7 MB of disk space
* Ethernet hardware
MacX users typically access X clients with TCP/IP over Ethernet. MacX 1.5 includes MacTCP version 2.0.6. All Power Macintosh and many newer 680x0 computers include built-in Ethernet hardware. Users with other hardware configurations will need the appropriate NuBus or PDS slot Ethernet cards for their computers.
MacX 1.5 also works with DECnet software and other third-party TCP/IP software packages. In certain configurations, MacX also runs on AppleTalk connections with the appropriate router software.
Installation Notes
==================
Before starting the installation, restart your computer with extensions off. (Press and hold the Shift key while choosing Restart from the Special menu.) Double-click the MacX Installer Script icon to begin the installation.
Users who have already installed System 7.5 or later should already have a version of MacTCP installed that is compatible with MacX. If you already have version 2.0.6 or later of MacTCP installed on your computer, the MacX installation process will leave that version untouched.
If you have not previously used MacTCP on your system, you must set your computer's internet address in the MacTCP Control Panel. (See the MacTCP Administrator's Guide, which is provided on the MacX CD-ROM disc.) If you do not have a domain name server available on your network, you will want to update the Hosts file in your System Folder with your local host names. You must restart for changes to take effect.
IMPORTANT:
If you have Open Transport installed on your computer (for example, new PCI-based computers), do not install MacTCP. (Choose the Custom Install option and skip installing MacTCP.) Be sure to fully configure your TCP/IP control panel to include a default router and a domain name server.
After installing MacX, you may want to increase its preferred memory size. Select the MacX application icon by clicking it once. Then choose Get Info from the File menu in the Finder. Enter a new preferred memory size in the Info dialog box.
Network Installation
====================
If your licensing agreement allows multiple copies of MacX, you may want to perform a network-based installation. Users with network access to the MacX CD-ROM can simply open up the MacX 1 folder and double-click the MacX Installer Script icon.
Font Management
===============
MacX supports the traditional view of fonts in X11 (it does not currently give users access to their native Macintosh TrueType or Bitmap fonts). The Easy Install option will install the miscellaneous, 75 dpi, and 100 dpi font directories. You can choose Fonts from the Edit menu in MacX to display a dialog box that lets you modify the default font path. The Fonts dialog box also provides other font utility functions. See the MacX User's Guide for more information.
Other Tidbits
=============
These shortcuts or hints may prove useful:
* To move an X client window that doesn't have a title bar, press the
Option key while dragging the window.
* To scroll within a rooted window, press the Option-x keys and the mouse
button simultaneously. The pointer changes to a hand, allowing you to
scroll through the window.
* To edit a remote command, press the Option key while choosing a command
from the Remote menu.
Known Problems
==============
These problems may occur when you use MacX 1.5:
* Built-in window manager (rootless) is missing support for newer ICCCM
hints.
* Shaped parent windows don't work very well in rootless mode.
* Color palette management with two Macintosh monitors is less than
optimal.
* Switching between the rexec and rsh remote clients may not work.
Known Conflicts
===============
Older versions of MacTCP and Ethernet drivers may occasionally lock up or hang MacX. The maze application may exacerbate this situation due to maze's high packet rates.
Technical Support
=================
Please refer to the MacX documentation for questions about using MacX. If you need additional help, you can call 1-800-SOS-APPL for direct access to support engineers knowledgeable about MacX.
Support is available Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (PST).
Technical support engineers handle questions about configuration, installation, compatibility, and product use. Technical support engineers do not resolve presale or development questions, nor questions about modified hardware or software source code.
Apple also provides the Apple Tech Info Library (TIL), an excellent online reference source for technical information. You can search through thousands of articles on current and past Apple products. The articles are updated regularly by Apple Support personnel.
The Apple Tech Info Library is available on:
* Internet -
http://www.info.apple.com/til.html/
* CompuServe - GO APLTIL
* America Online - Select the Keyword command in the GoTo menu (or
cmd-K) and enter Apple Computer in the search window.
Article Change History:
28 Apr 1997 - Removed out dated on line references.