Pathworks for DOS PC DECwindows Motif Guide Aug91

This document, the "PATHWORKS for DOS PC DECwindows Motif Guide" (Order Number: AA-PAFBC-TK, August 1991, Version 4.1), is a technical manual aimed at advanced users and system administrators.

Its primary purpose is to introduce, guide the setup, and provide advanced usage and troubleshooting information for PC DECwindows Motif. This software is Digital Equipment Corporation's implementation of the X Window System (Version 11, Release 4) for DOS-based 80286, 80386, and 80486 personal computers. It enables a DOS PC to function as an X terminal, allowing users to access and display graphical X applications running on remote VMS, ULTRIX, UNIX, or even other DOS nodes as if they were running locally.

The guide covers:

• Introduction and Prerequisites: Explains what PC DECwindows Motif is, its core components (X servers DWDOS286 and DWDOS386, PC Session Manager, utilities), and the necessary software (PATHWORKS client, network protocols like DECnet and TCP/IP), hardware, and memory requirements for installation and operation.
• Planning and Configuration: Advises on how to select the appropriate X server and plan for starting X applications. It provides detailed instructions for configuring the personal computer using the DWCONFIG utility, covering essential parameters such as video settings, swap file and font file locations, keyboard mapping (keysym files), network link management, and security. It also details how to define network node names.
• Application Startup Program Installation: Provides instructions for system administrators to make the Application Startup program available on host nodes (VMS, ULTRIX) to facilitate remote X application access.
• Starting X Servers and Applications: Explains how to initiate the X server and provides multiple methods for starting X applications: automatically at startup, from the PC Session Manager, or via a terminal session.
• Techniques and Hints: Offers advanced tips for optimizing the X server experience, including panning, creating special characters, using the keyboard as a mouse, memory saving techniques (e.g., disabling blinking cursors, modifying widget memory), and using the X server with Microsoft Windows.
• Troubleshooting and Customization: Provides guidance on diagnosing and resolving common problems related to X server termination, application startup, session suspension, and memory issues. It also covers how to customize window elements (colors, sizes, placement), create additional keyboard mappings, and compile or alias font files for specific application needs.
• Reference Materials: Includes appendices with illustrations of supported keyboard mappings, keycode maps, valid keysym names, X font naming conventions, and a comprehensive list of X server and utility error messages with explanations and recommended actions.