X386
Encyclopedia
X386 was the first implementation of the X Window System
for IBM PC compatible
computers. It ran on systems with Intel 386 or later processors, running Unix System V
-based operating system
s, and supported a variety of VGA-compatible graphics cards. X386 was created by Thomas Roell while at Technische Universität München and first released (as X386 1.1, based on X11R4) in 1991. X386 1.2 was incorporated in the X11R5 release later the same year.
Further X386 development was funded by Snitily Graphics Consulting Services, which released enhanced versions commercially. SGCS later became Xi Graphics and X386 evolved into the Accelerated-X
product.
In September 1992, the XFree86
project was created to continue development of X386 as open source
software, the name being a pun
on "X386", distinguishing it from the proprietary SGCS version.
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...
for IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
computers. It ran on systems with Intel 386 or later processors, running Unix System V
UNIX System V
Unix System V, commonly abbreviated SysV , is one of the first commercial versions of the Unix operating system. It was originally developed by American Telephone & Telegraph and first released in 1983. Four major versions of System V were released, termed Releases 1, 2, 3 and 4...
-based operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s, and supported a variety of VGA-compatible graphics cards. X386 was created by Thomas Roell while at Technische Universität München and first released (as X386 1.1, based on X11R4) in 1991. X386 1.2 was incorporated in the X11R5 release later the same year.
Further X386 development was funded by Snitily Graphics Consulting Services, which released enhanced versions commercially. SGCS later became Xi Graphics and X386 evolved into the Accelerated-X
Accelerated-X
Accelerated-X is a proprietary port of the X Window System to Intel x86 machines.-History:The Accelerated-X server is built on top of the X386 X server that was created by Thomas Roell for X11 Release 5...
product.
In September 1992, the XFree86
XFree86
XFree86 is an implementation of the X Window System. It was originally written for Unix-like operating systems on IBM PC compatibles and is now available for many other operating systems and platforms. It is free and open source software under the XFree86 License version 1.1. It is developed by the...
project was created to continue development of X386 as open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
software, the name being a pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
on "X386", distinguishing it from the proprietary SGCS version.