XLiveCD - Easy Access to Remote Graphical Unix Applications for Windows Users
The Problem
- Some scientific applications are available only on Unix
- Most scientists use MS Windows
- To use remote Unix graphics applications, Windows users need an X server
- X servers are difficult to install and configure
The Ideal Solution
- Fast
- Run X server from CD
- No install required
- Secure communications
XLiveCD
- Runs X server from CD
- No need to install
- Uses secure shell to forward graphics
- Fast enough for occasional use and for evaluating graphics applications
- X server can be installed for better performance
- Insert CD
- Wait for wizard
- View license
- Select run X server
- Wait for command window
- Connect to remote computer (e.g., ssh me@bigunix.biguniv.edu)
- Run graphic application
- Cygwin packages (www.cygwin.com) installed to CD, including X.org, X server and openssh
- Wizard's Apprentice (wizapp.sourceforge.net)
- Shell scripts glue it all together
- Open source
- Cygwin packages under many licenses, mostly GNU General Public License (GPL)
- X.org X server under X11 license
- Glue scripts under GPL