This was very interesting, thanks for all the impressions! I don't think I will write an X11 server for Squeak these days if it's so complicated. But still, this could be an exciting project for someone or somewhen else ... :-)


> Squeak hosts already have X display server software, so there is no incentive to build one for Squeak. Squeak makes more sense as a Xclient than an Xserver.

It depends on your perspective. You could either say "Squeak is one of many applications on your computer", then an Xclient makes much more sense, of course. But you can also consider Squeak as a separate operating system that only requires an outer OS "for compatibility reasons", and from this PoV, it would be very useful to include applications from the outside into your image. Thankfully, with Squeak, we have a system that does not require you to decide on one of both perspectives. :-)

Best,
Christoph

________________________________
Von: Squeak-dev <squeak-dev-bounces at lists.squeakfoundation.org> im Auftrag von K K Subbu <kksubbu.ml at gmail.com>
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 25. März 2021 11:53:35
An: squeak-dev at lists.squeakfoundation.org
Betreff: Re: [squeak-dev] X Server implementation for Squeak

On 25/03/21 12:38 am, David T. Lewis wrote:
> However, as a practical matter, this would be a big project. The protocols
> are complex, and modern X11 servers have accumulated a lot of fancy
> features that would be difficult to reproduce from scratch.
>
> Here is another way to look at it: Once apon a time, web browsers were
> simple and we had browser functionality written in Smalltalk, and running
> in the Squeak image. But as time went on, browsers got more complicated,
> and it became infeasible to keep up with the feature creep.
>
> I think you would find a similar situation with X11 servers. In theory
> you can write one, but it would be difficult to implement enough
> functionality to make it seem acceptable to users today.

Well said! Squeak hosts already have X display server software, so there
is no incentive to build one for Squeak. Squeak makes more sense as a
Xclient than an Xserver.

There is an fascinating Squeak package called NetMorph circa 2002.
Morphic objects could move along on a virtual display, like a
multi-monitor video wall, spanning multiple Squeak nodes. It required a
fast network and lots of RAM, so it may be a better fit for today's world.

A NetMorphed Squeak image, running as Xclient on all nodes, can offer a
much richer environment than just a plain display. Imagine live object
migrations and collaborations!

Sorry if this is off-topic.

Regards .. Subbu

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