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View Full Version : What is the X11 Applciation in Utilities folder for ?



Stuart.Mackie
Feb 20, 2008, 04:07 PM
What is it for ?


psychofreak
Feb 20, 2008, 04:08 PM
Some apps require X11 to run (e.g. Gimp, OpenOffice non-aqua, some Crossover features)...
Stuart.Mackie
Feb 20, 2008, 04:09 PM
cool thanks
yeroen
Feb 20, 2008, 04:15 PM
It's part of Mac OS X's UNIX heritage. X11 is the universal windowing system for UNIX OS's (e.g. Linux, BSD, Solaris, etc.). It's very powerful, a bit abstruse, and a bit less pretty than Aqua.

Most people who don't have a UNIX background probably won't ever need to use it. There are some notable exceptions. For example, Gimp, the free photoshop alternative, is an X11 application.
MisterMe
Feb 20, 2008, 07:07 PM
It's part of Mac OS X's UNIX heritage. X11 is the universal windowing system for UNIX OS's (e.g. Linux, BSD, Solaris, etc.). It's very powerful, a bit abstruse, and a bit less pretty than Aqua.

Most people who don't have a UNIX background probably won't ever need to use it. ...Although the X Windowing System is ubiquitous on UNIX and UNIX-like systems, it is by no means restricted to such systems. X Windows has long been available for the MacOS, Windows, DEC VMS, and other operating systems.
ltldrummerboy
Feb 21, 2008, 02:07 AM
Openoffice.org is also an X11 app. So is X11 essentially a filter that allows you to run Unix apps on OS X?
chem
Feb 21, 2008, 11:01 AM
Openoffice.org is also an X11 app. So is X11 essentially a filter that allows you to run Unix apps on OS X?

yes. many apps installed via macports or fink require X11. this includes scientific graphing apps such as xmgrace or gnuplot. For more info on Apple's X11 implementation, see:

http://trac.macosforge.org/projects/xquartz

and links within.
The Flashing Fi
Feb 21, 2008, 11:42 AM
Openoffice.org is also an X11 app. So is X11 essentially a filter that allows you to run Unix apps on OS X?

It's not a filter. It's a windowing system. In Mac OS X, it's an application that is used for X11 applications. Think of it as Quartz for Unix/Unix-like OS's. They both provide the same function. For Unix/Unix-like OS's, X11 works the same as it does on Mac, except it's initiated at startup and there is no X11 console like there is in Mac OS X (there's still a console though).