X-Win32 9.5 - Release Notes
Contents
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.
- Console Sessions
- When the LIVE Server is installed as root, users can log in and start the server directly from their unix/linux machine. This feature is referred to as the LIVE Console. Users can suspend their sessions and then reconnect from home using X-Win32. Create a LIVE (Host) session, then Choose Console-{desktop type} to reconnect
- New LIVE Session Browser
- When creating a LIVE connection in X-Config Only basic login information is needed to connect to the LIVE Server.
Launching a LIVE Connection brings up a Session Browser. Running Instances are displayed on the top window. Users can suspend, resume and terminate running Instances from this window.
The bottom window displays session templates. Users can create new sessions. All sessions are stored on the host machine.
The "Shadow" button connects a user to a shared instance. Simply enter the secret key to connect to the shared instance.
Users with admin privileges can create global sessions simplifying the session creation process. These sessions cannot be modified by users without admin privileges.
- LIVE Session Command line Options
- LIVE sessions can now be defined on the command line enabling power users to launch ad hoc sessions
- Console Sessions
- When the LIVE Server is installed as root, users can log in and start the server directly from their unix/linux machine. This feature is referred to as the LIVE Console. Users can suspend their sessions and then reconnect from home using X-Win32. Create a LIVE (Host) session, then Choose Console-{desktop type} to reconnect
- LIVE Session Command line Options
- LIVE sessions can now be defined on the command line enabling power users to launch ad hoc sessions
- New LIVE Session Browser
- When creating a LIVE connection in X-Config Only basic login information is needed to connect to the LIVE Server.
Launching a LIVE Connection brings up a Session Browser. Running Instances are displayed on the top window. Users can suspend, resume and terminate running Instances from this window.
The bottom window displays session templates. Users can create new sessions. All sessions are stored on the host machine.
The "Shadow" button connects a user to a shared instance. Simply enter the secret key to connect to the shared instance.
Users with admin privileges can create global sessions simplifying the session creation process. These sessions cannot be modified by users without admin privileges.
- Server Side LIVE Sessions
- LIVE Sessions can now be stored on the remote Unix/Linux system. System administrators only need to create one session, post it on the remote host and all users can access this session type. It also eases the mobility of moving from one Windows system to another. You no longer need to worry about if you are using the proper name to reconnect. It is right on the session.
- 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 5.0 Protocol
- LIVE Sessions now support version 5.0 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 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
- 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>
- 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.
- Window Manager Upgrade
- The window manager has been upgraded allowing for increased stability and performance.
- 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 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.
- 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 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>
- 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.
- DPI Settings
- User's DPI settings can now be specified in XServer.config. Edit the file and place the following lines above the </Configuration> line, where ### represents the dpi settings. Common DPI settings are 75, 96, 120.
- <XDPI>###</XDPI>
- <YDPI>###</YDPI>
- Application Data Folder Redirection supported
- X-Config now supports Mounted filesystems using Folder Redirection on Windows Servers
- License Manager Upgrade
- VN License Manager now deposits back-up registrations automatically into the user's online license account, avoiding the need to contact StarNet when deploying X-Win32 on a new system
Known Issues
- Node Locked License not compatible of Windows 2000
- Characters may repeat when RDPing to a windows machine over the internet
- Occasional crash when running Slickedit application
- KDE slows down when screen is locked.
System Requirements
-
Windows 2000 SP3,
Windows XP, Windows 2003, and Vista are supported
Specific Fixes
Build 9.5.1033 -- Released 24/09/2009
- Log Viewer intergrated with Log File
- Logs are timestamped and newline added
- Restore the states of all pressed keys when a window gets the focus again
- Discard KeyRelease/KeyPress messages for lock keys in non XKB mode if the state is down
- Fixed Font names with Mentor Fonts
- MWM now gets window information from the actual window, not the hardware
-
Build 9.5.1027 -- Released 08/09/2009
- More logging information added to the log viewer
- Log file no longer gets overwritten
- Default log level increased
- Show Status option removed in XDMCP
- External programs can now query the DISPLAY number
- Alt+Gr keyboard issue fixed
- Help file updated
- Resume, Suspend, Terminate menu items added in the LIVE Session Browser
- Minimize button added to the LIVE Session Browser
Build 9.5.1023 -- Released 18/08/2009
- Fixed installer script
- Prevent beeps with the alt-key combination
-
-
Build 9.5.1017 -- Released 06/08/2009
Build 9.4.1080
-- Released
16/07/2009
- Mouse clicks no longer delayed when LCNTL is down
- Fixed underscore button on Japanese key map
- Mouse no longer changes shape when moving between Apex Windows
- Truecolor windows are drawn if children of pseudocolor windows
- Cadence window screens not refreshing fix
- sdtimage now draws pictures in pseudocolor mode
-
- Panning option moved to X-Config
- Cursors larger than standard size no longer disappear. They are now scaled down
- Panning option removed from system tray and added to X-Config
- Mouse button release sent if LCTRL is pressed
Build 9.4.1072 -- Released 19/06/2009
- Fixed '+' key in Latin American Keyboard map
- Windows key now maps to Super_L
- Input passes through openGL overlay windows
- Sentaurus can now draw in multiple window mode
Build 9.4.1069 -- Released 13/05/2009
- Fixed Nedit windows not restoring
- Keyboard fix for VK_DIVIDE
- Fixed crash when utf8 conversions succeed but no strings are returned.
- WM Handles iconify requests that come in before reparenting is finished.
Build 9.4.1064 -- Released 28/04/2009
- Windows keys are released on key up event
- Multiple Windows do not pass KEYDOWN/KEYUP events to Windows
- Fixed XKB Repeat Checking
- Optimizes Direct Color Drawing speeding up rendering
Build 9.4.1060 -- Released 14/04/2009
- IP Smart sends IP request only when used
- Fixed IP packet flood when running X-Win32 on a closed network
- Fixed Update tool misdownloading Flash Version
Build 9.4.1059 -- Released 13/04/2009
- Insert key no longer maps to KP_0
Build 9.4.1058 -- Released 08/04/2009
- Fixed bug where X-Win32 would not take X-Config's base display number
- Fixed OpenGL software rendering bug
- Fixed missing border blitting bug in xev
- Fixed keyboard extended keys sending keypad keys
Build 9.4.1051 -- Released 02/04/2009
- Does not distinguish between extended keys.
Build 9.4.1050 -- Released 30/03/2009
- No longer Blits if no bitmap present
- fixed RDP screen corruption when using separate color depths
- Added Drawing code conversions
- Painting now relies on visuals rather than colormaps
- Rootless mode obeys new offsets
- Window Focus Fix
- Ignores fake LCNTL with ALT_GR on keyboards
- Fixed Caps lock getting out of sync
Build 9.4.1042 -- Released 20/03/2009
- Fixed black screen when running in Pseudocolor issue
- Fixed keyboard input hooks being sent
Build 9.4.1039 -- Released 17/03/2009
- Fixed non-root LIVE installation
- Fixed Alt+Gr keyboard input not being sent properly
- Fixed OpenGL rendering
Build 9.4.1038 -- Released 06/03/2009
- LIVE Console Sessions Implemented
- Server Side LIVE Sessions Implemented
- Fixed GSSAPI not recognizing domain properly
- Fixed unicode text not appearing in title bar
- Fixed nedit window animation jitter
- Fixed issue with ArcGis window resizing incorrectly
- Fixed issue where windows would pop up behind other windows
- Fixed crash in multi window mode process
- Fixed window focus problem
- Fixed mouse hiding issue when using clutter application
- Build 9.3.1052 -- 03/03/2009
- Certificate Update
- Fixed GSSAPI bug
- UpdateTool closes down after check
- Xauthority path created if not found
- Build 9.3.1050 --
09/12/2008
- LIVE (Indirect) sessions implemented in wizard
- Updated certificate
- Build 9.3.1045 -- 19/11/2008
- DPI settings sent to LIVE server rendering larger fonts
- Build 9.3.1043 -- 07/11/2008
- Fixed a clipboard bug when copying and pasting
- Build 9.3.1042 -- 05/11/2008
- Build 9.3.1041 -- Release 30/10/2008
- Sound Support Added
- Kerberos GSSAPI support
- Japanese IME support
- SSH Keep Alive
- DPI settings sent to LIVE sessions
- Build 9.2.1084 -- 17/10/2008
- Response Dialog updated
- Checks for valid menu before proceeding
- Build 9.2.1081
--
08/10/2008
- Turned off GSSAPI credentials if not explicitly checked
- Fixed saved passwords for rexec, rlogin, rsh sessions
- Added ssh keep alive messages
- Build 9.2.1077 -- 30/09/2008
- Blank ssh logins do not presend windows login
- Build 9.2.1076 -- 26/09/2008
- Fixed an ssh error causing LIVE sessions to disconnect
- Fixed an issue causing window manager thread to fail
- Build 9.2.1073 -- 24/09/2008
- GSSApi support added
- Added lucida font aliases
- JSPager items kept in system menu
- Compression checkbox saved in SSH sessions
- Fixed slow RDP screen redraws
- Updated XKB keyboard maps to fix various Input Problems
- Multiple Window Mode works correctly with Virtual Desktop Software
- Build 9.2.1062 -- Released 27/08/2008
- Build 9.2.1061 -- Released 26/08/2008
- Telnet sessions correctly handle empty passwords
- Drop down menus no longer detach when dragging window
- More informative upgrade dialogs
- Build 9.2.1054 -- Released 12/08/2008
- Cursor can be larger than Windows defined values
- Windows restored when calling from command line
- Build 9.2.1052 -- Released 01/08/2008
- Update tool sends version with ssh
- Build 9.2.1051 -- Released 30/07/2008
- Cadence (and other Motif based) Windows withdraw properly
- Shift+Backspace no longer kills LIVE sessions
- Fixed Intermittent hangs when connecting using ssh sessions
- X-Win32 no longer shuts down when all floating licenses in use
- Fixed rlogin password handling
- License code upgrade
- Easier to choose which monitor to send display to when using XDMCP
- XDMCP window sizes correctly with multiple monitors
- XDMCP Broadcasts sorted
- X focus changes raise windows properly
- LIVE sessions source with csh based shells
- fixed LIVE freeze when maximizing/minimizing window
- Fixed various Rootless Window Reparenting bugs
- Double Click brings up Edit dialog in X-Config
- Build 9.1.1029 -- Released 2008-6-17
- Render Extension disabled when Legacy Pseudocolor Support enabled
- Build 9.1.1028 -- Released 2008-5-23
- Fixed a window manager resizing crash.
- Build 9.1.1027 -- Released 2008-4-30
- Fixed belgian decimal keyboard
- Konsole windows resize correctly after locking windows screen
- Fixed "Allow By Prompt" option in Security tab of X-Config
- Build 9.1.1020 -- Released 2008-3-25
- Build 9.0.1119 -- Released 2008-01-30
- 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