SharedX
Encyclopedia
SharedX is a set of extensions to the X Window System
that was developed at HP
in the mid to late 1980s. It enables X servers to "share" individual X windows or an entire desktop, thus allowing users at multiple workstation
s to use standard applications to collaborate in real-time
in an X Window System
network environment.
A decade later, this capability would be termed "desktop sharing
", with VNC being a major player. One difference between VNC and SharedX is that SharedX allows fine-grined sharing of any X window or group of X windows among any number of users, while VNC only allows sharing of the entire desktop.
SharedX was conceived by Philip Gust at HP Labs
, where he developed several implementations between 1986 and 1987. It was first presented and demonstrated at the 2nd Annual X Technical Conference. A proxy server version based on X11 protocol extensions was subsequently developed by Philip Gust and his team at HP Labs
, including Dan Garfinkel, Steve Lowder, and Mike Lemon. This version was presented and demonstrated at the 3rd Annual X Technical Conference.
In addition to window sharing, this version of SharedX also provided extensible "floor control" policies to mediate multi-user interaction, and meeting tools such as virtual meeting rooms, avatars, "telepointers" and voting. Functions such as calendaring, note taking, and "whiteboarding" were provided by sharing standard desktop applications. An experimental video sharing and teleconferencing system was also developed by Darren Leigh, an MIT intern working with the team.
The SharedX technology subsequently transferred to a product division, where it was incorporated into HP
's X Window server that is supplied in versions of HP-UX
. An article on SharedX later appeared in the Hewlett-Packard Journal
A number of subsequent research projects and publications have built on or cited SharedX.
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
that was developed at HP
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
in the mid to late 1980s. It enables X servers to "share" individual X windows or an entire desktop, thus allowing users at multiple workstation
Workstation
A workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems...
s to use standard applications to collaborate in real-time
Real-time computing
In computer science, real-time computing , or reactive computing, is the study of hardware and software systems that are subject to a "real-time constraint"— e.g. operational deadlines from event to system response. Real-time programs must guarantee response within strict time constraints...
in an X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
network environment.
A decade later, this capability would be termed "desktop sharing
Desktop sharing
Desktop sharing is a common name for technologies and products that allow remote access and remote collaboration on a person's computer desktop through a graphical Terminal emulator.The most common two scenarios for desktop sharing are:* Remote log-in...
", with VNC being a major player. One difference between VNC and SharedX is that SharedX allows fine-grined sharing of any X window or group of X windows among any number of users, while VNC only allows sharing of the entire desktop.
SharedX was conceived by Philip Gust at HP Labs
HP Labs
HP Labs is the exploratory and advanced research group for Hewlett-Packard. The lab has some 600 researchersin seven locations throughout the world....
, where he developed several implementations between 1986 and 1987. It was first presented and demonstrated at the 2nd Annual X Technical Conference. A proxy server version based on X11 protocol extensions was subsequently developed by Philip Gust and his team at HP Labs
HP Labs
HP Labs is the exploratory and advanced research group for Hewlett-Packard. The lab has some 600 researchersin seven locations throughout the world....
, including Dan Garfinkel, Steve Lowder, and Mike Lemon. This version was presented and demonstrated at the 3rd Annual X Technical Conference.
In addition to window sharing, this version of SharedX also provided extensible "floor control" policies to mediate multi-user interaction, and meeting tools such as virtual meeting rooms, avatars, "telepointers" and voting. Functions such as calendaring, note taking, and "whiteboarding" were provided by sharing standard desktop applications. An experimental video sharing and teleconferencing system was also developed by Darren Leigh, an MIT intern working with the team.
The SharedX technology subsequently transferred to a product division, where it was incorporated into HP
Hewlett-Packard
Hewlett-Packard Company or HP is an American multinational information technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, USA that provides products, technologies, softwares, solutions and services to consumers, small- and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises, including...
's X Window server that is supplied in versions of HP-UX
HP-UX
HP-UX is Hewlett-Packard's proprietary implementation of the Unix operating system, based on UNIX System V and first released in 1984...
. An article on SharedX later appeared in the Hewlett-Packard Journal
A number of subsequent research projects and publications have built on or cited SharedX.