Download X.Org 6.8.0

Q-collective points us to a new release of X.org, the open source version of XFree86 4.4 RC2. The update has been given version number 6.8.0 and can be downloaded via this mirror server. X.Org is responsible for communication between software and hardware (mouse, keyboard, monitors). Thanks to the open source setting of the makers, the tweaker can adjust and set up his desktop exactly as he or she wants. For example, use can be made of desktop environments such as KDE and Gnome. Below are the release notes posted from the new 6.8.0 release:

In response to demand of users and application developers, X.Org’s X11R6.8 brings forward widely anticipated fundamental facilities through this release. They include the first X Window System support for:

• translucent windows
• Window animation, window decorations like shadows
• Support for accessibility applications
• Support for 3D immersive user environments like=20 Looking Glass(1) and Croquet
• Support for large scale display walls using DMX(3)

These new facilities, some of which are still considered experimental, and so not enabled by default, have been under development for several years. Once completed and deployed, they will enable X Window System desktop projects, such as Gnome and KDE, to greatly extend their visual user interface vocabulary while still ensuring uncompromised support for existing applications, even surpassing current state of the art in competing window systems.

These facilities will enable easy implementation of thumbnailing, screen magnifiers for accessibility, translucent windows, menus, drop shadows, and even integration of conventional applications into 3D immersive environments. They are the result of open collaboration within the freedesktop.org community, desktop projects, and the X Window System user and developer community.