X-Win32 9.3 - Release Notes

Contents

• Overview
• New Features
  • New in 9.3
    • Sound Support in XDMCP
    • Japanese IME Support
    • SSH Keep Alive Messages
• Sessions
  • LIVE
  • SSH
  • XDMCP
• Windows
  • Single Window Mode
  • Multiple Window Mode
• Input
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Japanese IME
• Sound
• X Server
• X-Config
• Licensing
• Known Issues
• System Requirements
• Specific Fixes
  • 9.3
  • 9.2
  • 9.1
  • 9.0

Overview

X-Win32 9 is a complete reimplementation of the product, including an all new user interface, a new SSH implementation, and an all new technology layer for drawing and displaying graphics on the screen. Included in version 9 is a new LIVE session that uses SSH to allow for suspending running sessions and resuming them at a later time.

New Features

New in 9.3

• Sound Support in XDMCP
  • XDMCP sessions now support sound by means of the ESD sound server enabled in X-Win32. This feature is currently available in GNOME desktops by running the command: esddsp <application>
• Japanese IME Support
  • IME input support has now been added in both single and multiple window mode. Single Window mode supports IME by default. In multiple window mode, make sure to set the following environment variables before launching an application with IME
    • LC_CYPTE=ja_JP
    • XMODIFIERS=@im=XIME
• SSH Keep Alive Messages
  • In the Advanced tab of SSH sessions there is now a keepalive option (specified in minutes) which directs the ssh session to send a packet every X minutes to ensure that your network does not close your connection

Sessions

LIVE

• Indirect Sessions
  • Users can log into a machine running the LIVE server and connect to second machine using the ssh protocol. Users can find this new LIVE (Indirect) option in the Wizard.
• Session Sharing
  • Multiple users can now view and manipulate running LIVE sessions. This allows for easy collaboration between colleagues. The initiator of the Shared session creates a LIVE session and checks the "Allow Sharing" box. Others who want to connect create "LIVE (Slave)" sessions to connect to the running session.
• LIVE 4.0 Protocol
  • LIVE Sessions now support version 4.0 of the LIVE Protocol. This protocol has been redesigned making it more flexible and faster than the previous version.
• Empty Hostname in LIVE
  • LIVE sessions can be configured without a hostname so generic sessions can be made
• Rootless LIVE Sessions
  • LIVE sessions can be run in "Rootless" mode enabling applications to run natively on your desktop rather than in a LIVE session window. To enable Rootless mode, create a LIVE session, select Desktop type: Custom, add your remote application in the text field to the right, and check the Rootless box.
• LIVE Sessions Implemented
  • LIVE Sessions allow users to suspend and resume running X sessions on their desktop without loss of data. Based on the NX protocol, LIVE sessions make extensive use of caching allowing speed increases on low bandwidth connections eliminating most roundtrip traffic.

SSH

• SSH Keep Alive Messages
  • In the Advanced tab of SSH sessions there is now a keepalive option (specified in minutes) which directs the ssh session to send a packet every X minutes to ensure that your network does not close your connection
• Empty Hostname in SSH
  • Empty hostnames are now permitted in SSH allowing users to create generic sessions/
• Kerberos GSSAPI support added
  • Kerberos authentication is now available in SSH sessions
  New SSH Module
  • SSH sessions now use plink as the ssh module. This adds an increase in flexibility to the ssh subsystem as well as certain bug fixes that were not found in the previous version of SSH

XDMCP

• Sound Support in XDMCP
  • XDMCP sessions now support sound by means of the ESD sound server enabled in X-Win32. This feature is currently available in GNOME desktops by running the command: esddsp <application>

Windows

Single Window Mode

• Support for Large Screen Sizes
  • Remote displays can now be larger than the local Windows screen. This option is specified in the Size section of the Window tab in X-Config
• Single Window Mode Dynamic Resizing
  • Single Window mode can be dynamically resized by clicking and dragging on the outside of the window.
• Classic resize scrollbars added in single window mode
  • Scrollbars can be added to single window mode allowing users to set the makimum size and shrink the window out of the way when not in use.

Multiple Window Mode

• Window Manager Upgrade
  • The window manager has been upgraded allowing for increased stability and performance.

Input

Keyboard

• Keyboards maps can be selected
  • Default keyboard maps can now be selected in the Input tab of X-Config. By unchecking the Enable Xkeyboard Extension option, the old style keyboard maps will be used instead. Support for multiple languages as well as nonstandard US keyboards (for example DEC goldkey) are supported

Mouse

• Mouse Wheel Configuration
  • The mouse wheel can now be configured as the scrollwheel, Up/Down arrows or turned off in the Input tab of X-Config. This feature is useful for legacy applications which only support three button mice rather than the now standard 5 button mouse.

Japanese IME

• IME input support has now been added in both single and multiple window mode. Single Window mode supports IME by default. In multiple window mode, make sure to set the following environment variables before launching an application with IME
  • LC_CYPTE=ja_JP
  • XMODIFIERS=@im=XIME

Sound

• Sound Support in XDMCP
  • XDMCP sessions now support sound by means of the ESD sound server enabled in X-Win32. This feature is currently available in GNOME desktops by running the command: esddsp <application>

X Server

• RANDR extentsion implemented
  • X-Win32 now supports the Resize and Reshape extension allowing desktops to be dynamically resized and scaled to fit different window configurations. This extension also allows users running in single window mode to resize and scale their windows.

• Fixed msi NOAUTOUPDATE issue
• Fixed window viewport resizing issue
• Lavis Menu items roll up correctly
• Telnet passwords on Slackware authenticate correctly
• Alt+F4 key command can be sent to remote host
• Build 9.0.1114 -- Released 2008-01-11
• Fixed Double click error on Welcome dialog
• Completion of requests to IPSmart are now properly checked.
• Build 9.0.1111 -- Released 2008-01-02
• Caps Lock key works with XKB extension disabled
• Numpad works with XKB extension disabled
• Better Installation error detection in LIVE module
• Fixed a crash due to an XDMCP race condition
• Build 9.0.1107 -- Released 2007-12-18
• Removed automatic XDMCP broadcast when no sessions defined
• Fixed XDMCP reset after entering in login information
• License parameters are now sent when upgrading on Vista
• Newest Red Hat rules now used when XKB extension is enabled
• Build 9.0.1102 -- Released 2007-12-11
• Fixed Cannot get SID error with wireless card on Vista laptops
• xauth merges .Xauthority data rather than overwriting the file when file is set in the security tab
• User does not need to be on restricted network to connect when using Restricted floating license
• Build 9.0.1097 -- Release 2007-11-30
• Improve keyboard file selection when XKB extension disabled
• Fixed crash when reading a license file with no permissions
• Disabling XKB extension fixes the AltGr button not being recognized
• Build 9.0.1088 -- Release 2007-11-9
• The license in use now has a distinguishing mark in the License Monitor
• License PIDs are no longer shown to the user
• Multilanguage Keyboard support added when XKB extension is disabled
• Creating new XDMCP sessions automatically default to Single Window Mode
• Fixed XDMCP login freeze
• Fixed rlogin permission denied error
• Improved handling of workscreen area
• Build 9.0.1083 -- Release 2007-10-31
• Fixed crash with nettables
• Fixed Failed to Start App bug in LIVE session when no password given
• "Use Scrollbars" option added in X-Config Single Window Mode
• Browser window larger when upgrading license
• Copyright updated
• Build 9.0.1078 -- Release 2007-10-19