RE: [gtk-list] Re: GTK for Win32

["O'CONNOR, Steve" <SOCONNOR baea com au>]

Drifting off topic ....


Re: XServers for Win32

If there is one thing that Win32 does well, it is the speed of updating
the screen. Screen repaints can often get messed up, but at least the
speed is as good as you can get.

If there is one thing that Win32 does poorly, it is networking. The
performance of the TCP/IP stack under 95/NT is abysmal to say the least.

Porting X11 to Win32 requires good performance on both aspects, as X11
is 50% a socket protocol and 50% a screen updater/event gatherer.

Still, the day that Windows ships with a integrated X11 server (and it
would cost M$ $0 to do this), will be the day that UNIX comes of age on
the desktop. It would clearly be to the benefit of the entire IT
industry if Windows included an XServer, as heterogenous networked
applications would finally become a simple reality.

If I were the DOJ, I would allow Microsoft to run off and do whatever
strange things they wanted to do, but insist that they include a
certified standard X11 Server 'integrated into the Operating System'.
This would kill so many birds with one stone. Think about it.