Industry consortium to guide the future of the X Window System
Date: 20 May 1999
Menlo Park, CA., May 12, 1999 - X.Org, a newly formed organization of The Open Group, has today become the official steward of the X Window System technology and
the technical experts for the X Window System standards. Member companies
include Compaq Computer Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Hummingbird
Communications Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation, SGI, Sun
Microsystems Inc. and many others. X.Org assumes
the role of the world-wide X Window System technology and standards steward
effective immediately. The Open Group will provide the legal, administrative and
standardization infrastructure for X.Org, with X.Org and its members directing day-to-day activities and controlling the direction and future of the X Window System technology. The organization is
member-funded, dedicated to maintaining the existing X Window System code base
and engineering appropriate enhancements driven by current and future market
requirements. Further, X.Org is dedicated to increasing the awareness of X to the general public, corporate and development communities and looks toward building a broadly-based active international membership. 'As the
graphical interface on all UNIX and Linux systems in use today, the X Window
System is one of the most successful interoperability technologies within Global
2000 corporations today.' says Gary Tyreman, Chair, X.Org. 'We aspire to advance
the momentum of the X Window System in the corporate computing market by working closely with both the UNIX system and Linux communities.' 'The X Window
System is the core technology of the Linux and UNIX system desktops. With the
regaining of critical mass in the desktop market, indicated by the release of
modern desktop applications and the recent release of the Gnome and KDE desktop
environments for Linux and UNIX systems, the base X Window System technology must continue to improve and evolve to meet their needs. I am very happy to see X development even more vibrant than it was in its early
years. X.Org is one key component of maintaining and extending the technology on
which the Linux and UNIX system desktops are based,' says Jim Gettys, one of the original X Window System developers. 'X.Org
Members participate in the evolution of the X Window System by maintaining the
stability of the code base while continuing to extend its capabilities, thereby
supplying a superior windowing environment to the world. This provides
immeasurable value for our customers,' says Garry Paxinos, Vice-President, Metro
Link Inc. 'The Open
Group is excited about working with X.Org members in their efforts to continue
to develop X Window System standards and to provide support for this highly
successful technology, ' stated Allen Brown, COO and acting president of The Open Group. 'The Open Group recognises the value of open source products such as the X Window System and is happy to assist in its
continued success.'
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