AARRGGHH X11/NeWS AARRGGHH

[Mark Smith]

Yes, well...my previous posting about waiting for X11/NeWS seems to have
struck a nerve.  The following may be of interest to others waiting:

The X11/NeWS FCS is properly called OpenWindows 1.0. This includes the
merged server, XView toolkit (SunView API, Open Look UI), OL desktop
applications (mail tool, etc.), documentation, etc. OpenWindows is
currently in the netherworld between a beta release and an end-user-ready
distribution. To quote from the 1.0 READ THIS FIRST:

Even though OpenWindows is very stable, this release is positioned as a
developer's release to send the message that OpenWindows is not yet
suitable as a SunView replacement for all current Sun customers. Some
users, particularly those with large memory machines (more than 8Mb), may
be happy with OpenWindows 1.0 performance. Other users, such as those with
eight megabytes of memory, may not be happy with OpenWindows 1.0 if they
expect the same level of responsiveness as they are now used to with
SunView.  OpenWindows 1.0 is not recommended at all for configurations
with less than 8Mb.  Existing performance problems in limited memory
machines are well understood and will be addressed in an upcoming release.

The document includes an extensive bug list.

In fact, our copy magically showed up this week. We are running it on 16
Mb 4/110s and SS/1s (8 bit colour). Performance is good on the SS/1s, OK
on the 4/110s.  There are obvious minor bugs, and it has frozen
occasionally. That said, some things, particularly on the NeWS side (flag
waving, cheers), are impressively fast. And yes, it is currently a memory
pig.

The bottom line seems to be that Sun would like to have waited for a more
stable release, but public demand is forcing the product out the door. I
have some sympathy for Sun in this; they have a potentially great product,
but with the rough edges still showing. However, I wish it didn't appear
that identifying oneself as a "suitable customer" for v1.0 consisted
mainly of badgering Sun incessantly.

Thanks to all who replied (including Sun reps).