OpenGL and the Linux desktop
LIFE IN 3D
New technologies will change the way you view the objects on your Linux desktop.
The X graphics system has been at the heart of the Unix GUI desktop since 1984. Of course, its horizons expanded slowly. In the early years, no one knew they even needed a graphics subsystem, and if anyone did venture out to try X with one of the few applications that supported it, they needed to be ready for late nights of tinkering. But the X system kept getting better, and the X protocol, with its surrounding technologies, served a key role in the evolution of Linux. When graphic desktop systems came into vogue with the appearance of MacOS and a Mac clone known as Windows, Linux could build its own equivalent graphic desktop upon the foundation of X. Today’s Linux graphic desktops are every bit as powerful and far more flexible than the Apple and Windows equivalents, but the simple fact is, developers and hardware vendors – for all platforms – have gotten a bit restless with the ordinary, garden variety X.
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
KDE Plasma 5.27 Beta is Ready for Testing
The latest beta iteration of the KDE Plasma desktop is now available and includes some important additions and fixes.
-
Netrunner OS 23 Is Now Available
The latest version of this Linux distribution is now based on Debian Bullseye and is ready for installation and finally hits the KDE 5.20 branch of the desktop.
-
New Linux Distribution Built for Gamers
With a Gnome desktop that offers different layouts and a custom kernel, PikaOS is a great option for gamers of all types.
-
System76 Beefs Up Popular Pangolin Laptop
The darling of open-source-powered laptops and desktops will soon drop a new AMD Ryzen 7-powered version of their popular Pangolin laptop.
-
Nobara Project Is a Modified Version of Fedora with User-Friendly Fixes
If you're looking for a version of Fedora that includes third-party and proprietary packages, look no further than the Nobara Project.
-
Gnome 44 Now Has a Release Date
Gnome 44 will be officially released on March 22, 2023.
-
Nitrux 2.6 Available with Kernel 6.1 and a Major Change
The developers of Nitrux have officially released version 2.6 of their Linux distribution with plenty of new features to excite users.
-
Vanilla OS Initial Release Is Now Available
A stock GNOME experience with on-demand immutability finally sees its first production release.
-
Critical Linux Vulnerability Found to Impact SMB Servers
A Linux vulnerability with a CVSS score of 10 has been found to affect SMB servers and can lead to remote code execution.
-
Linux Mint 21.1 Now Available with Plenty of Look and Feel Changes
Vera has arrived and although it is still using kernel 5.15, there are plenty of improvements sure to please everyone.