Hard Cider: Bypass Aqua And Get Right To The Beast! - OS X For People That Don't Like OS X
A Guest Review by Matthew Stoton
6/29/01
For many, there just weren't enough reasons to use Mac OS X as a main system. The great power that OS X's UNIX underpinnings gave it, was ignored, as most users didn't understand the command line interface. Xtools aims to extend OS X in conjunction with MIT's X Window system.
X Windows provides the answer to those who are disenchanted with OS X. Not only does X Windows allow you to run X Window applications in themes other than the Aqua interface, it lets you run ports of commercial software for free. As expected, every OS X user in the world now wants to run X Windows, regardless of their knowledge (or lack there of) of UNIX. Now comes the part that makes most heads spin. X Windows runs in UNIX, so its not an OS as such. It acts like a server to applications, the applications acting as clients. This comes in very handy because X Windows can display applications on other computers on a network or over the Internet. Thanks to Mac OS X's Darwin base it is possible to run X Windows. Xtools allows you to run X Windows without the trouble of compiling and playing with lots of junk that most users won't understand. It also gives the point-and-click simplicity that most users love.
A Taste of UNIX
Using Darwin in Mac OS X requires some knowledge of the command line, but X Windows gives UNIX a GUI (Graphical User Interface). On top of that, Xtools runs in rootless mode with the Aqua interface, meaning that you can still see your Mac OS X desktop. The general interface of X Windows is dictated by a Window Manager. Xtools comes with three Window Managers: Motif Window Manager (MWM), Tab Window Manager (TWM) and the Aqua Window Manager. To make your experience with Xtools better I suggest using the preselected Window Manager (Aqua), unless the software you are using prefers a different one. I had problems with switching to the Motif Window Manager and back to Aqua, but this is unusual. You can access the standard terminal with the included Xterm application, although this isn't something you would want to do unless you really are comfortable with it. Xterm isn't as polished as the Terminal application in OS X, so it might be wise to get another terminal appication. It is possible to launch applications via Xterm, though it is better to do it through the clients menu.
Do it Manually
To date, the Xtools manual is somewhat risky to follow. Certain illustrations are incorrect. The manual says that you can customize installation even though this isn't in the installer. Tenon says that they will update the manual, until then it shouldn't be much of a problem for most users. The manual also neglects to mention a very useful feature. When typing in the path to a client, the text appears red until the path is correct. When the path goes to a valid file the text turns black. At first this is very perplexing, but eventually all users will catch onto what the manual leaves out. When you do find something like this it is best to e-mail Tenon, their support staff are very helpful.
Xtools, not X Windows
In reality, X Windows isn't perfect. Only those who really want to tap X Window's power should risk it, X Windows isn't for your everyday user and probably never will be. Compiling GNU source code isn't going to be fun, so if you've never used a UNIX terminal before, you aren't going to fare very well. Tenon is doing their best, they are trying to compile applications so users don't have to do this themselves. Therefore you can't judge Xtools based on X Windows, Xtools does a wonderful job of letting users run X Windows. Due to its early development stage (only 1.0.3), there are certain features that should be added so less-experienced users will be able to use it. In short, Xtools does its job well, but it isn't for everyone. Further efforts to make the process of using X Windows must be made before Xtools is a viable program for most users. Among these, more precompiled applications must be made available. For now, Xtools is a wonderful tool for Power Users and UNIX experts alike.
Product: Xtools
Company: Tenon Intersystems
MSRP: $199.....Educational Price: $99
Hits: Allows expert and novices to use the X Window system, reletivly easy to use, great support
Misses: Sometimes confusing interface, few pre-compiled applications, not on CD at press time
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5
Matthew Stoton is a freelance writer, webdesigner and
software developer.
You can view his work and more at his site, Totally
Macintosh. He also offers
free technical support. You can reach him at:
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