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.

New Features

New in 9.5

• 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

Sessions

LIVE

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• Insert key no longer maps to KP_0

• 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

• Does not distinguish between extended keys.

• 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

• Fixed black screen when running in Pseudocolor issue
• Fixed keyboard input hooks being sent

• Fixed non-root LIVE installation
• Fixed Alt+Gr keyboard input not being sent properly
• Fixed OpenGL rendering

• 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

Fixes for 9.3

• 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
• Updated Sales Email
• 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

Fixes for 9.2

• 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
  • Panning Feature added
• 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

Fixes for 9.1

• 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

Fixes for 9.0

• 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