PATHWORKS for Macintosh MacX

This document serves as a user guide for MacX, Apple Computer's X Window System server tailored for Macintosh computers, specifically within the PATHWORKS for Macintosh product environment. It details how MacX integrates X Window System functionality with the Macintosh user interface, enabling users to run remote X applications, particularly DECwindows applications.

Key aspects covered include:

• MacX Overview: Introduces the X Window System and MacX's unique features, such as its Mac-like window management (supporting both rooted and rootless styles with options for icons and multiple screens), and specialized tools for managing fonts (Font Director) and colors (Color Namer).
• Getting Started: Guides users through starting MacX, connecting to remote hosts, launching the DECwindows Session Manager and other applications like DECterm, and properly quitting applications and MacX.
• Remote Commands: Explains how to create, edit, and execute remote commands for running X clients, including security features like password management and access control.
• Window Management: Details how to work with windows, including positioning, sizing, styling (e.g., simple, growable, shadow box), and converting them to icons. It also discusses managing root windows.
• Font and Color Management: Provides in-depth instructions on using the Font Director to manage X and Macintosh fonts, assign aliases, and compile fonts from BDF files. It also covers using the Color Namer to manage and customize colors.
• Troubleshooting: Offers solutions for common issues related to starting MacX, remote command execution, connection tools, client application behavior, fonts, keyboard differences, and printing.
• Connection Tools Reference: Explains the AppleTalk-DECnet, MacTCP, and DECnet Connection Tools, which facilitate communication between the Macintosh and VAX computers running DECwindows. It also includes troubleshooting for these tools.
• Technical Appendices: Contains detailed information on MacX's differences from other X servers, the MacX Window Manager, Bitmap Distribution Format (BDF) 2.1, X Logical Font Description Conventions, and character conversion charts between Macintosh extended ASCII and ISO Latin 1.

The guide emphasizes MacX's ability to blend seamlessly with the Macintosh operating system while providing robust X Window System capabilities for network-based computing. An update for MacX version 1.1.7 introduces new features like image copying to the Macintosh Clipboard, compiling font directories, and displaying nonrectangular windows.