New PC X server tool brings UNIX and Linux to every win desktop: industry-first capabilities enhance Windows-UNIX/Linux interoperability - StarNet Communications' X-Win32 PC X 5.4, X-Admin32 terminal emulation software - Product Announcement

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, Sept 2, 2002

StarNet Communications Corp., a publisher of Windows-to-UNIX/Linux connectivity software, has announced the addition of industry-first capabilities in Version 5.4 of its top-rated X- Win32 PC X server. The new X-Admin32 tool allows Windows users with no previous UNIX or Linux experience to run even the most sophisticated CAD and CAE applications on powerful UNIX and Linux host systems. A new automated Error Logging feature further enhances StarNet's free tech support program.

X-Admin32 enables companies to provide Windows users with easy access to UNIX and Linux software, from word processing and other business applications to high-end IC design tools, explained Steven Schoch, Chief Executive Officer of StarNet. "X-Admin32 eliminates the need to teach Windows users how to set up sessions on remote hosts. End users without any prior knowledge of UNIX or Linux can now instantly work productively with X Windows-based applications."

X-Admin32 allows managers to create sessions to UNIX and Linux servers and save those sessions, including all preferred settings, to a file. The file can be emailed to Windows users or placed in a shared folder on the local area network. Simply double-clicking the attachment will install the sessions on the user's computer. Running the sessions from X-Win32 will display the UNIX/Linux applications up on the user's Windows desktop. "By making UNIX and Linux transparent to the user, companies can leverage the cost and performance advantages of UNIX and Linux throughout their enterprise. Since many X Windows applications offer the same look-and-feel as Windows software, users will immediately work productively with these programs," Schoch said.

X-Admin32 is the first tool of its kind in the PC X server market, within which X-Win32 ranked as the top-rated X server for Windows computers in a recent performance comparison published in Network Computing Magazine.

Another first-of-a-kind feature included in Version 5.4 is an "Error Logging" capability. Users experiencing problems with an X Windows application can turn on the Error Logging feature which captures all system activity up to the point of failure. The data is saved as a file that can be emailed to an internal help desk or to StarNet's support staff for review.

Error Logging will enable StarNet to further improve its technical support services which is provided at no cost to customers for the life of their licenses, explained Daniel Lam, who manages StarNet's Technical Support program. "Data from Error Logs help us determine quickly if we are dealing with a simple configuration issue or a bug. In either case, our turn-around time on providing solutions will be greatly reduced with this new feature."

X-Win32 Version 5.4 can be downloaded from www.starnet.com/version54-trial.html. A 2-month trial license is available from this page.