1. OS X and Linux Integration through XonX

Apple's new OS X operating system integrates very nicely with Linux and other versions of Unix, particularly when one takes advantage of the ability to run graphical X-Windows clients and servers on both platforms. This is a screen capture of one of my ten desktops while I'm writing this.

Here I'm running several applications on a Linux system including the Gimp to handle the image I captured using ``Grab'', and the ``vi'' editor I'm using to write this documentation. The column of mailboxes on the right side of the screen are running on another Linux system monitoring nine mailboxes which I can read by clicking on one of the mailboxes. The tool bar at the bottom of the screen is similar to the OS X doc, and is the ``xfce'' window manager's control panel. I have ten virtual desktops configured, each for specific activities such as accessing customer machines for remote maintenance, running accounting programs, browsers, etc.

1.1. Setup and Installing XonX (XFree86).

I'm running the XonX version of XFree86 from sourceforge, and there's another version from the fink project. I found it with a quick ``google'' search (is there any other kind :-).

My biggest problem installing it was figuring out how Apple handles this after many years of Linux and Unix experience. I have a CD containing XonX, RPM, and a number of utilities I've found useful that we use to set up new machines with the basics.

1.2. Running XFree86 -- Rootless vs Full Window Mode

XonX installs in the dock by default, and starts by simply clicking on the big red ``X''. One can select either ``rootless'' or full window mode. The rootless mode lets the X-Window manager and clients share the desktop on the standard Aqua desktop while full window takes over the entire screen for X, and you can switch back and forth. There are some problems with the full window mode (mine being that I'm not using an Apple keyboard so don't have all the keys), and I've found that the rootless mode best for my use.

1.3. Mouse selection

X-Windows works best with a three-button mouse. The left button is used to select text. The middle button pastes the selected text into any window, and the right button is used for other select and menu functions. While this is possible using the standard Apple one-button mice in conjunction with the option and apple keys, it requires two hands which I find inconvenient.

I found a PS2->USB adapter which allows me to plug my PowerMac G4 into a standard KVM (Keyboard, Video, Monitor) switch so I'm sharing my Microsoft ``natural'' keyboard, 20in Nokia monitor, and 3-button Logitech mouseman between the G4, and a couple of Linux boxes.