Desktop Technologies

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Contents

  1. CDE - General
  2. OSF & CDE - Involvement
  3. Licensing
  4. Certification & Branding
  5. CDE 1.0.10 Tests
  6. Using Motif 2.0 & CDE
  7. Using Motif 1.2.x & CDE
  8. Window Manager (mwm & dtwm)
  9. CDE - Technical
  10. Year 2000 Issues

CDE - General

Section Contents

  1. What is CDE?
  2. What are the differences between this release of OSF CDE 1.0.10 and the CDE that is bundled with some of the Vendors (AIX, Solaris, HPUX, TriTeal, others)?
  3. If I base programs on CDE, will I be able to link these programs with CDEnext Motif?
  4. How do I find CDE applications already ported? Is there a 3rd Party Catalog similar to the Motif Product Catalog?

What is CDE?

The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) is an integrated graphical user interface for open systems desktop computing, combining X Window System, OSF/Motif, and the Common Desktop Environment technologies. CDE is designed to scale across a range of client/server platforms, supports small workgroups to large enterprises, and supports simple text and data as well as advanced collaborative multimedia applications.

What are the differences between this release of OSF CDE 1.0.10 and the CDE that is bundled with some of the Vendors (AIX, Solaris, HPUX, TriTeal, others)?

The binary code (or object code) copy you received from your respective vendor of CDE is based on CDE 1.0. OSF's announcement of OSF CDE 1.0.10 is a Maintenance Release of CDE 1.0 containing hundreds of maintenance fixes or corrections, supplied by all of the vendors involved in the CDE collaborative development and maintenance project. These fixes were integrated into the Maintenance Release by the Prime Contractor of this project, The X Consortium, and is now available through the OSF in source code form only. This release is also available to the major computer vendors, for them to decide whether to incorporate it into their Operating System software releases and subsequent binary releases. CDE 1.0 and CDE 1.0.10 are based on OSF/Motif 1.2.

In some cases the vendors will fine tune the CDE software version for their specific platform, and may also incorporate "value-add" features, or additional software bundled in their offering. Since OSF is a non-profit vendor neutral technology source provider, the CDE source we provide is as we received it from the X Consortium, tested on the provided reference platforms (see next question below).

What are the reference platforms for CDE 1.0.10?

CDE 1.0.10 has been tested on four reference platforms:

The release notes describe these reference platforms in more detail.

DEC is also in the process of providing an unsupported port on DEC Alpha with DEC UNIX 4.0.

If I base programs on CDE, will I be able to link these programs with CDEnext Motif?

Yes, CDEnext will be binary compatible with CDE 1.0.10. CDEnext is based on OSF/Motif 2.0

How do I find CDE applications already ported? Is there a 3rd Party Catalog similar to the Motif Product Catalog?

There is not a CDE Product Reference Catalog as of yet. However OSF is interested in created this on its web page, and welcomes input from any third party vendors that have CDE-based applications, tools, developers kits, etc. However, CDE maintains compatibility with thousands of existing UNIX system-based applications, since it is based on X11 Windows and Motif. Please refer to the OSF CDE Release 1.0.10 Data Sheet for more information in this area.


OSF & CDE - Involvement

Section Contents

  1. How is OSF involved in CDE if it isn't doing any of the development?
  2. If OSF is selling CDE, are you selling only sources?

How is OSF involved in CDE if it isn't doing any of the development?

OSF's Service Offerings are outlined in the OSF CDE 1.0.10 licensing kit.

OSF has been working with the X Consortium and the CDE Sponsors all along in every aspect of the development of the CDE 1.0.10, and will continue to play a strong program management and auditing role through the development of CDEnext and beyond.

If OSF is selling CDE, are you selling only sources?

OSF only offers the CDE source code.


Licensing

Section Contents

  1. Do I have to have a Motif license to obtain CDE?
  2. What if I purchase an OSF CDE 1.0.10 Source Non-Commercial Evaluation Only License (for $5,000.) and then decide to market and distribute an OSF CDE-based product...... how much will the Full Distribution License be?
  3. If I am a small start-up company, not making any profit, can I qualify for the University/Non-Profit Research Organization Site License?
  4. I notice that a Motif object code discount is available with my OSF CDE 1.0.10 Full Distribution Rights License - how do I qualify for the Motif "next level volume discount"?

Do I have to have a Motif license to obtain CDE?

Yes. This is highlighted on the OSF CDE 1.0.10 Price List. Depending which type of CDE 1.0.10 Source license you are interested in will depend on the OSF/Motif license required. In addition to the OSF/Motif license required, please note that OSF CDE 1.0.10 object code royalty fees are separate from and are in addition to OSF/Motif object code royalty fees. Both fees must continue to be tracked, reported and paid for pursuant to the Terms and Conditions of OSF's Master Software License Agreement, the Standard Supplement for OSF/Motif, and the Standard Supplement for OSF CDE 1.0.10 .

What if I purchase an OSF CDE 1.0.10 Source Non-Commercial Evaluation Only License (for $5,000.) and then decide to market and distribute an OSF CDE-based product...... how much will the Full Distribution License be?

You will be given full credit towards the OSF CDE 1.0.10 Full Distribution Rights License ($5,000 credit), as long as that same license program is still being offered. This credit is only applicable to OSF CDE 1.0.10 Full Distribution Rights License (Does not apply toward CDEnext, the Snapshot Program, or any other OSF CDE offerings.)

If I am a small start-up company, not making any profit, can I qualify for the University/Non-Profit Research Organization Site License?

Probably not, unless you qualify per the OSF CDE 1.0.10 Standard Supplement definitions and requirements for being registered (and approved) as a "Non-Profit" organization under Section 503 (c) of the US Internal Revenue ServiceCode. Please keep in mind that this license is intended for educational, research and developmental purposes. Use for commercial and/or profit-making purposes is prohibited; no distribution is allowed, and the license is for internal use only.

I notice that a Motif object code discount is available with my OSF CDE 1.0.10 Full Distribution Rights License - how do I qualify for the Motif "next level volume discount"?

Please refer to the OSF CDE 1.0.10 Price List Attachment - Object Code Volume Discount. This gives a pretty clear explanation of the requirements to qualify and the type of Motif Volume Discount selection you need with your Motif Full Distribution Rights License. If you have additional questions after going through that section, please call OSF Direct.


Certification & Branding

Section Contents

  1. Is there a Branding Program for CDE?
  2. What specifications are included for CDE Branding by X/Open?

Is there a Branding Program for CDE?

Yes. This was announced by X/Open in June 1995, along with a CDE Specification Set. Information on how to contact X/Open for more details is contained in the OSF CDE 1.0.10 Price List, along with web contact info.

What specifications are included for CDE Branding by X/Open?

A complete listing of the specification set can be obtained from X/Open as stated in the above question. However a highlight of some of the specifications include:


CDE 1.0.10 Tests

Section Contents

  1. What tests are available with CDE?
  2. What version of Motif QATS should I use to test Motif 1.2.6 portion of CDE 1.0.10?
  3. What version of Motif VTS should I use to test Motif 1.2.6?
  4. Will the Motif VTS that I have run against CDE 1.0.10?

What tests are available with CDE?

A suite of automated and manual regression tests is supplied with CDE 1.0.10. Information on building and running the tests, as well as results obtained for this release, are contained in the Release Notes (cde/README).

What version of Motif QATS should I use to test Motif 1.2.6 portion of CDE 1.0.10?

Use the version included in the CDE 1.0.10 distribution located in the cde-test/osf directory, and follow the directions in the cde/README file. This version has changes to test Motif in a CDE environment. If you are testing Motif alone, you can use your existing 1.2 QATS.

What version of Motif VTS should I use to test Motif 1.2.6?

You can use the versions 1.1 or 1.1.1 from OSF. The README on the tape incorrectly indicates that the VTS 1.1 is included on the 1.0.10 tape. It is not.

Will the Motif VTS that I have run against CDE 1.0.10?

Yes - If you have version 1.1 or 1.1.1.


Using Motif 2.0 & CDE

Section Contents

  1. If my apps are based on Motif 2.0, should I migrate to CDE 1.0.10 at this time?
  2. Will CDEnext be compatible with Motif 2.0?
  3. How can I use CDE 1.0.10 and Motif 2.0 together?
  4. If I do this, will I still be able to link my existing Motif 1.2 programs?
  5. CDE 1.0.10 has widgets that are not in Motif 2.0. If I use Motif 2.0, does that mean I can't use them?

If my apps are based on Motif 2.0, should I migrate to CDE 1.0.10 at this time?

If the features available in Motif 2.0 are very important to your customers, you might find it advantageous to wait until CDEnext to start any customer migration efforts. Still, purchasing an evaluation license for CDE 1.0.10 will give you time to explore the features of CDE and give you a head start on any porting issues and planning.

Will CDEnext be compatible with Motif 2.0?

CDEnext Motif will not support XmCSText and the Motif 2.0 C++ interfaces. In most other cases, CDE.next Motif will be binary compatible with Motif 2.0, and is based on 2.0 code. In some cases you will need to recompile UID files; in other cases there is a very small set of binary compatability breaks, but will not affect majority of applications.

How can I use CDE 1.0.10 and Motif 2.0 together?

They can be used together. All public CDE Motif interfaces, and all but a few minor CDE Motif resources, are available in Motif 2.0. There may be rare cases where there are minor differences in behavior or appearance.

It would be great if you could link programs with a CDE library, with its pre-built Motif library replaced by a pre-built Motif 2.0 library. Unfortunately this will not work.

However, if you are a source code licensee of OSF CDE, you can recompile OSF CDE 1.0.10 with Motif 2.0.1, and then link your programs against that. (You will need both CDE 1.0.10 and Motif 2.0.1; earlier versions of either have bugs that prevent the recompilation from producing a useable result).

If I do this, will I still be able to link my existing Motif 1.2 programs?

Yes, Motif 2.0 is binary compatible with Motif 1.2

CDE 1.0.10 has widgets that are not in Motif 2.0. If I use Motif 2.0, does that mean I can't use them?

No, these additional widgets are in a separate library. You will need to recompile them with Motif 2.0.1 though.


Using Motif 1.2.x & CDE

Section Contents

  1. What is the right porting path for me if I am using Motif 1.2.4 right now? Should I expect to be using CDEnext as of January 1, 1997? How do I get there from here? In particular, what should I *not* use from Motif 2.0 right now?
  2. Will my Motif 1.2 applications link with CDE?
  3. Is the Motif portion of CDE 1.0.10 a superset of Motif 1.2.5 or equivalent to it? OR What's the relationship between Motif 1.2.5 and CDE 1.0.10 Motif?
  4. Why should I upgrade to Motif 2.0 now?

What is the right porting path for me if I am using Motif 1.2.4 right now? Should I expect to be using CDEnext as of January 1, 1997? How do I get there from here? In particular, what should I *not* use from Motif 2.0 right now?

You can migrate to CDE 1.0.10 immediately, and you should migrate to CDEnext as soon as it is available to you. The features from Motif 2.0 that are not available in CDEnext are primarily the CSText functionality and the C++ library support.

Will my Motif 1.2 applications link with CDE?

Yes. CDE is completely binary compatible with Motif 1.2

Is the Motif portion of CDE 1.0.10 a superset of Motif 1.2.5 or equivalent to it? OR What's the relationship between Motif 1.2.5 and CDE 1.0.10 Motif?

They are essentially the same, although CDE 1.0.10 Motif has additional bug fixes which includes a few bug fixes above 1.2.5. CDE 1.0.10 is based on Motif 1.2.5, which has had on the order of 10 bug fixes made to it. There was no practical way to release this code without incrementing the release number. OSF plans to integrate these bug fixes into a patch to 1.2.5 to bring its support customers up to date, but there is no plan for a separate 1.2.6 release. OSF will also integrate the fixes into the Motif 2.0 base and make them available to its 2.0 support customers.

Why should I upgrade to Motif 2.0 now?

All of the important Motif 2.0 developer features including Traits and the Uniform Transfer Mechanism, will be available in CDEnext Motif, but is not available in today's CDE 1.0.10 Motif. Use Motif 2.0 to get access to this powerful technology today.


Window Manager (mwm & dtwm)

Section Contents

  1. What is happening with mwm? Is it going away?
  2. I like the Workspace Management features in Motif 2.0 mwm. Will they still be available in CDE?
  3. Can I use the Motif 2.0 mwm with CDE applications?
  4. Can I use the dtwm (the CDE window manager) with Motif 2.0 applications?

What is happening with mwm? Is it going away?

mwm is going away in CDE. CDE uses an integrated desk top window manager in its place referred to as dtwm. A version of this window manager suitable for environments running Motif outside of CDE will be available in the CDEnext release.

I like the Workspace Management features in Motif 2.0 mwm. Will they still be available in CDE?

CDE integrates workspace management directly into the window manager. CDE provides almost the same functionality, but does not use a separate protocol for interoperation with a separate workspace manager.

Can I use the Motif 2.0 mwm with CDE applications?

Yes. CDE programs may be "workspace aware". These programs may have less functionality when they run with Motif 2.0 mwm, but this functionality should be available in other ways (required by the Style Guide). In practice, this is unlikely to be an issue.

Can I use the dtwm (the CDE window manager) with Motif 2.0 applications?

Yes. While Motif 2.0 programs can use some additional protocols to interact with the Motif 2.0 mwm. These programs may have less functionality when they run with dtwm, but this functionality should be available in other ways (required by the Style Guide). In practice, this is unlikely to be an issue.


CDE - Technical

Section Contents

  1. How much disk is required to unload the tape?
  2. How much additional disk is required to build the tape?
  3. How much additional disk is required to install the code?
  4. What types of security features does OSF CDE 1.0.10 have?

How much disk is required to unload the tape?

The entire contents of the tape are just over 1.4Gb. We have split the tape into 3 tar archives, which can be unloaded separately:

The documentation archive is so large because it includes the documentation in 10 languages. The installation instructions describe how to extract the files for only a single language, thereby reducing the amount of disk space required to unload the distribution.

How much additional disk is required to build the tape?

Depending on the platform, it should take about 200-300 Mb to build the code and about 400-600 Mb to build the tests.

How much additional disk is required to install the code?

Depending on the platform, it should take about 60-85 Mb to install the code.

What types of security features does OSF CDE 1.0.10 have?

CDE uses standard X and UNIX facilities to control login, access to network services, and file access control. So, all the same strengths and weakness exist as other UNIX/X based systems that do not have security as their primary concern. OSF CDE 1.0.10 does incorporate a technology called PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules), that can be used to authenticate a user against multiple authentication mechanisms (including DCE's) at login time and when accessing network services such as ftp.

However, please note that the PAM technology is not enabled in the OSF CDE 1.0.10 release, but the code is there without testing by the X Consortium. It is up to each sponsor company receiving the Maintenance Release CDE 1.0.10 to enable PAM (or the receiving licensee). CDEnext will have dtlogin ability to use PAM on all platforms, however, it will still be up to each platform vendor to enable PAM in CDEnext sample builds.