MaXX Interactive Desktop ~ Workstation Environment for Graphics Professionals

We are back on the air...

2009-11-11T21:06:00.001-05:00

We are back online and in our own infrastructure!

The blog and forum site are still under development, but the Trac/Wiki/SVN is up!

Visit us: http://maxxdesktop.com

moving to a new infrastructure

2009-11-02T07:43:00.000-05:00

hi guys!

just to let you know that maxxdesktop.com is moving to a new infrastructure and that all sites are currently not available... I am working hard at integrating everything back into one roof. This way it will be even easier to find what you are looking for.

Stay tuned...

PS DR4 is not too far :)

EM

DR3 Preview available for download

2009-07-24T19:06:00.003-04:00

Hi there,

I am please to announce that a preview of MaXX Interactive Desktop DR3 is available for download on both 32/64 bits Linux. Don't be fouled by the fact it is a "preview". There are a lot of testing behind it already...

Also, as a kind reminder, we have moved all our activities to our new server that host: Trac, SVN, Wiki and Discussions services. This move was long over due and is 100% for the community of MaXX Interactive Desktop.

Here is the link: http://dev.maxxdesktop.com/trac/maxxdesktop

-peace!

MaXXdesktop.com is becoming our official new home

2009-06-09T14:08:00.003-04:00

Hi all.

In order to simplify my life, I am in the process of moving/regrouping everything related to 5Dwm and MaXX Desktop under MaXXdesktop.com. On the site you can find a forum, wiki, track and blog site all to better support the MaXX Desktop Community.

See you there! http://maxxdesktop.com

MaXXDesktop.com live

2008-10-08T09:46:00.005-04:00

Hi all,

I am happy, relieved and excited all at the same time because MaXXDesktop.com is live at last. MaXXDesktop.com is slowly becoming our new home from which everything that was previously scattered on different sites are now all centralized in one-stop-shop!

MaXXDesktop.com is in its infancy phase really. Lots of contents, a new look and feel and applications needs to be installed and migrated. In a nutshell, our new home will provide to the MaXXDesktop community a place where we can discuss, blog, share, document, deploy and test new things and more importantly showcase the great SGI Desktop experience.

MaXXDesktop .com will also serve the purpose of launching the new developement effor for the MaXXDesktop Modern Edition which is of course based on the existing desktop (that we also call Classic) and build a new modern all OpenGL and vector look and feel desktop. We aim at fostering creativity and productivity with maximum performance and not over bloting user experience :)

Your comments and feedbacks are always welcome and see you at http://MaXXDesktop.com

Eric Masson
MaXX Interactive

DR-2 has reached Code freeze status

2008-08-31T10:49:00.005-04:00

Howdy!

I am glad to announce that MaXX Desktop has reached code freeze for
the Developer Release 2 version and I should be pretty close to
release it at the expected date... CORRECTION October-6th 2008!

I took that screenshot from my QuadCore Q6700 machine running a
full Ubuntu 8.04.1 x86_64 environment with full NVidia support and Xinerama (of course).

DR-2 will be made available in .dep packages, bare-bone shell installer for the die hard and a new Live CD for those who wants to have a fully functional Desktop right out of the box....

Eric Masson

5Dwm.org || MaXXDesktop.com

Time to Rock and Roll !!

2008-07-27T13:45:00.003-04:00

Hi all,

I am fully functional at my new house and things are really like I want then to be... A small piece of heaven!

Ok, time to rock and Roll. I know it is summer, but here in Montreal it is raining every days of the week, at the exception of Monday.... It is not good for outdoors activities....

So here is below the plan until (CORRECTED) October 6th 2008, which is Developer Release 2 launch date! Surprise! Also, MaXX Desktop is going public at the same time as the MaXXDesktop.com website.

That means lots of work ahead and I would really appreciate some help (not only from the 3-4 usual members)

First, we will focus our efforts on the two following Linux Distribution: Ubuntu(Debian) and Fedora(RH) on both 32 and 64 bit architectures.

The Plan is simple, we must get those packages ready from prime-time. The MaXXDesktop.com main site will provide and the necessary tools(wiki, forums, docs, blogs and community).

1) Foundation Frameworks

includes: SGI-Xt Library, SGI-OpenMotif-2.1.32 Library, SGI-Shemes and Sgm-1.0 Library
packaging: binary, source and development headers and tools
issues:

dependencies involved by overwriting existing Xt and Motif libraries on both .deb and RPM based systems.
numbering scheme for .deb packaging to force a clean upgrade without breaking dependencies
/etc/apt/sources.list alteration to support automatic installer on Ubuntu and other Debian based systems.

2) 5Dwm Window Manager Classic Edition

includes: 5Dwm window manager v1.2.1, config files and x11 resources
packaging: binary and source
issues: ???

3) MaXX Desktop Classic Edition

includes: desktop-apps, desktop-utils, shared files, config files and scripts
packaging: binary and source
issues: ???

4) MaXX Desktop 'Experimental'

includes: various experimental libraries and applications.
packaging: binary and source
issues: ???

Do I forgot something here.

Looking forward to your comments, feed backs and involvement!

Eric Masson
MaXXDesktop.com || 5Dwm.org

MaXXDesktop.com

2008-05-22T15:58:00.002-04:00

I am glad to announce that a new website is under development. This new website will focus on the development and distribution of both the Classic and Modern MaXX Interactive Desktop products. The new design should be completed by end of May. SVN server will be available next week. This means that I am moving all development related features to MaXXDesktop.com.

Here are a list of those features;
• Wiki
• Forums
• News
• API-SDK full online documentation
• SVN server
• SVN WebView
• Search engine

Cheers,

Eric Masson

5Dwm.org || MaXXDesktop.com

5Dwm v2.0

2008-05-07T09:53:00.003-04:00

Hi all,

I am glad to announce the start of the development effort of 5Dwm v2.0. On the road map are the addition of EWMH 1.x support, XRender and hardware overlay plane. Here are below a little bit more details on what those new features means and how this will improve 5Dwm functionality and usability.

Enhanced Window Manager Hints or EWMH is a specification that defines interactions between a window manager, the applications that it manage, and utilities that form part of a desktop experience. These new features will allow 5Dwm v2.0 to support multiple workspaces, a pager, sticky and shaded windows. Refer to the official documentation for more detail: http://standards.freedesktop.org/wm-spec/wm-spec-1.3.html

XRender is on the other hand a very nice addition to 5Dwm and it will guaranty a smooth evolution and provide advanced rendering operations, alpha blending and composition support. XRender will bring to 5Dwm v2.0 a fresh touch of modernization and support transparent window, setting the stage for drop shadows and composition-manager like xcompmgr and Compiz-Fusion. OpenGL application that supports ARGB-GLX Visual will also benefits for XRender support. Here is a very nice example of what ARGB GLX Visual and XRender can do: http://macslow.thepimp.net/?p=41

Hardware Overlay Plane is a feature that is only available on workstation and pro-level GPU card like the NVidia Quadro line, 3DLabs and FireGL. In a nutshell it provide a hardware accelerated second plane, above the main plane that we all know, for drawing whatever you want. The idea is to avoid expensive window redraw when popup menus, feedbacks and other GUI elements are displayed to get user inputs. The less often you redraw the better your application behave. The plan is to add into 5Dwm v2.0 hardware overlay plane support to assist and off load CAD/CAM, digital effects and imaging softwares. SGI's 4DWM as been using hardware overlay plane for almost 10years now. This feature deserve to be used rather that forgotten. Trolltech's Qt 4.x supports overlay plane right at the QWidget and QGLWidget level, when the hardware supports it, of course!

Finally, 5Dwm v2.0 will be linked against SGI-OpenMotif-2.3. That's right! OpenMotif 2.3 is getting SGI look and feel and enhancements. As of today, 50% of the work is done and I can tell you that SGI-Motif 2.3 never looked so good with XFT antialiased fonts.

Hope this gets you excited, cause I am and looking forward your comments and feedbacks.

Eric Masson

5Dwm.org|| MaXXDesktop.com

New Sourceforge.net project

2008-03-23T10:24:00.000-04:00

Hi all and Happy Easter!

I have created a new sourceforge project for the code that will have a BSD License (mainly all the open-source code). This code will make up the classic desktop, the SDK upper stack and lots of goodies.

Here is the URL: http://sourceforge.net/projects/maxxdesktop/

Regards,

Eric Masson
5dwm.org

Calling for C++ and Java Developers

2008-03-02T12:37:00.009-05:00

Hi all,

As you probably know already (if not, please read the Roadmap), that the MaXX Interactive Development Frameworks will allow developers to build MaXX Desktop aware/friendly application in both C++ and Java. This is possible for two reasons; First, the Frameworks are built using Trolltech's Qt 4.4 Second, each MaXX Interactive Framework is carefully designed to integrate with Trolltech's Qt Jambi technology. Qt Jambi provides tools to easily bridge the gap between native C++ and Java code.

Here is below a summary of the development kits:

Foundation Framework
▪ Core Kit
▪ Utility Kit
▪ IO Kit
▪ Network Kit
▪ File System Kit
▪ Concurrency Kit

Vue Framework
▪ Window Kit
▪ Dialog Kit
▪ Preview Kit
▪ Icon Kit
▪ Desktop Kit
▪ Composer Kit
▪ Widget Kit

Monitor Framework
▪ Instrument Kit
▪ Monitoring Server Kit
▪ Monitoring Client Kit

Grafix Framework
▪ Imaging Kit
▪ OpenGL Kit
▪ OpenSceneGraph Kit
▪ Performer Kit
▪ OpenInventor Kit

Média Framework
▪ Audio Kit (OpenAL or KDE Phonom)
▪ Video Kit (OpenML or KDE Phonom)

I invite you to get your hands on the latest version 4.4 (beta): http://trolltech.com/downloads/opensource

For more information on Jambi, please refer to this url: http://trolltech.com/products/qt/jambi

Waiting for comments and questions!

Eric Masson
5dwm.org

Well underway for DR-2

2008-02-12T11:02:00.004-05:00

Hi all,

Here are some recent news regarding MaXX Desktop....

The Developer Release Series is well underway and there are over 75 registered members in the MaXX Interactive Desktop Developer Release Series Google Group. If you are interested to joy us as a developer-tester, visit our Google Group and send us a subscription request!

5DWM v2.0 will be possibly based on a fork of either OpenBox or FluxBox Window Manager source code. This will bring needed features like multiple-workspace and XRender-XComposite extensions support.

The MaXX Desktop Foundation Developer Kits will be based on Trolltech's Qt 4.4, OpenGL and Xlib. The first kits will be made available in DR-2. So developers, get ready!

We are looking for a web master to keep the 5dwm.org official site alive! So anyone with HTML, CSS, FLASH, good design nose and some free time to spare can apply at maxxi (dot) desktop (at) gmail (dot) com.

You are welcome to comment to any of the topics above!!! (I hope someone does)

Eric Masson
5dwm.org

DR-1 day !

2007-12-03T18:47:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

It is a great day today (except the winter storm killing my back) for MaXX Interactive. We are officially starting the Developer Release Series with a new web site that will allow us to better document, communicate and share files related to the DR series. We have created a Google Group called MaXX Interactive Desktop Release Series that off loads the main web site and better suited for the task. He is the URL. http://groups.google.ca/group/maxx-desktop-dr?hl=en

We invite you to visit the MaXX Interactive Desktop Release Series Google Group to browse information and discuss various topics.

Here are the steps required to join the MaXX Interactive Desktop Developer Release and to have access to the download files.

1- You have to send us you system configuration (uname -a and the model of your graphic display and its driver version) to the following email; maxxi.desktop@gmail.com
2- Then, we will send you an invite to the MaXX Desktop DR Google Group
3- After completing your registration, you are becoming a member of the group and have access to pretty much everything for downloading, compiling, running MaXX, providing feedbacks and participating in various forums.

We hope this new process will enhance communication and allow everyone to add a little something to the success of MaXX Desktop.

Cheers,
Eric Masson

MaXX Desktop Developer Release Series

2007-11-12T15:59:00.000-05:00

It is with great joy that I officially announce the schedule for MaXX Desktop Developer Release Series. You will find below a summary of what each DR will be made of. Refer to the main site http://5dwm.org for more details.

Enjoy,

Eric Masson

DR-1:
Code name: Sleeping beauty
Date: December 3rd 2007

Goals:
• Migrating existing Beta 1 user to the new file system structure of MaXX Desktop.
• Install new foundation libraries (Xt,Xm, Sgm, themes, glut, GLw and Qt)
• New version of several applications: 5Dwm, toolchest, desktop-tools
• New SGV icons
• QTK themes (classic and modern look and feels)
• Qt theme (modern look and feel)
• ROX Filer overlay pack
• Composition Manager

DR-2:
Code name: Big Easy
Date: March 3rd 2008

Goals:
• Bug fixes of DR-1
• MaXX Monitor new low latency system wide monitoring framework
• MaXX Foundation Application Kits
• MaXX Personality Kits
• New Desktop Configuration Panels
• Workspace Manager
• File Manager

DR-3:
Code name: Mustang
Date: June 3rd 2008
Goals:
• Bug fixes of DR-2
• More MaXX Foundation Application Kits
• More MaXX Personality Kits
• More Desktop Configuration Panels

MaXX Interactive and SGI agreed on a License Agreement for the MaXX Desktop

2007-10-22T21:08:00.000-04:00

You are not dreaming... MaXX Interactive received from SGI its License Agreement. We are legit ! This is a great day and the start of something very interesting and hopefully life changing (for me at least). Many years of efforts or R&D can finally be put into work.

Now, let's put in place a time line for those Developer Release... lol !

Please stay tuned for the DR-1 announcement.

Cheers,

Eric Masson
5dwm.org

The BIG 40 today...

2007-09-04T12:18:00.000-04:00

Well, it is out in the open now, I am 40 years old today! That's right ! I am starting the second and last part of my adventure on this planet... unless someone invents today a cloning machine. After all, I think I had an amazing first 40 years and accomplished quite considerably for my age.

Someone old and wise told me when I was in Hong Kong, life is short, can be a b.... from time to time, throw you curves when you don't expect, but overall will be full of joy, enlightenment and gratification. Well, he was right on the money, I am an happy father of 4 marvelous kids and married to my soul mate for the last 12 years, and going strong...

Yeah yeah old man, but what this has to do with MaXX Destkop! You are right, and the answer is, everything... My absence from the front lines was justified, but I still feel bad about it... There is nothing on this earth that will prevent me from seeing my young kids growing up... they are still, but now 3 of them have (hopefully) a solid foundation that they can build on and start to experience life. This translate into more free time and energy to put into my second love, MaXX Desktop.

About Developer Release 1... DR1 will be available to download as soon as I finish revising the License Agreement with SGI lawyers. DR1 will include a text-only installer, a migration script for Beta1 users and a working Desktop with lots of new applications. More details will be posted here and on 5dwm.org

So the future is bright for MaXX Desktop !

Cheers,

Eric, the old man, Masson
5dwm.org

Developer Release Announcement

2007-08-23T20:06:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody,

I am happy to announce the introduction a of Developer Release Program.

The MaXX Desktop Developer Releases will be available for registered users only. However, registration is open to the public. As long as you are willing to spend a bit more time providing your system details and applications that you are expecting to use.

This way you will be able to enjoy the MaXX Desktop experience and and in return you provide valuable feedbacks on new features and technologies before we are entering Beta phase again!

New fully Nvidia optimized features will become available starting from September this year!

Here is a short list of some of those features:
- 64bit support
- Software Development Kits for building High Performance MaXX Desktop aware applications
- OpenGL Composition and FX Engine for GUI (this is the big one)
- Transparency support for main window and panel with XRender, XComposite and ARGB-GLX Visual
- Workspace Manager - applications icons, multi-workspace and application selector (Exposé inspired)
- MaXX Monitoring Framework - centralized system resources management and graphical instruments: gr_osview, gr_affinity and gmemusage
- file-manager (vector based icons, scaling, traveling and monster-io-workload)

cheers,

Eric Masson
5dwm.org

Dear Mr. AMD/ATi you did it again and it is for the last time!

2007-08-14T16:58:00.000-04:00

After several sleepless nights, I finally gave up all hopes on ATi Linux driver and decided that the MaXX Interactive Desktop will be a fully optimized Nvidia based technology monster. I am willing to add 3DLabs supports, but I don't have an 3DLabs card... Anyone has an extra one and wants to be famous!

Sorry for all ATi users, but I don't have the time nor the energy to do it !

That decision in itself means many changes for the road map and also simplifies lots of code. It also mean that the Desktop experience, performance will be pushed to the MAX since we know exactly what we are dealing with. Plus, the fact that I know the Nvidia architecture inside-out.

I am also thinking that it might be the right time to look at adding GPU computation with Nvidia's CUDA technology right into the MaXX Interactive Software Development Kits...

ok, I feel much better now that this ugly mess is out of my chess... and again, sorry ATi users, no sexy and fast OpenGL based GUI with shadows...

I would like to hear your comments (good and bad, but no flaming war here)

Cheers,

Eric Masson

On the road again !

2007-05-29T12:10:00.000-04:00

Hi all and welcome to my blog page for the Maxx Interactive Desktop for Linux or simply MaXX Desktop.

This blog page will allow me to keep you up to date on the development of 5Dwm window manager and the MaXX Desktop.

I am planning to post lots of new technology stuff related to the development of MaXX Desktop(new APIs, new cool ideas and previews of things to come).

More importantly, the main reason of coming here is to allow you to get in touch with me and get your feedback, worries and ideas.

Cheers and again, welcome!

Eric Masson