Original X11 Designers Reunite to Crank 90s on Wayland
The Original X11 Team
After years apart, the original X11 developers have come together to recreate the classic X11 protocol, aiming to bring back the 90s-era desktop experience on modern systems.
Why the Revival?
- It's an effort to preserve the legacy of X11, which was a foundational component for many applications.
- The team aims to support Wayland, the modern display server protocol, while maintaining compatibility with older systems.
What They're Doing
The group has begun developing a new implementation of the X11 protocol, known as X11-90s. It includes:
- A reimplementation of the X11 client library.
- An updated version of the X11 server with enhanced features.
- Support for Wayland integration.
Challenges
The project faces several challenges, including:
- Compatibility issues with modern operating systems.
- Maintaining backward compatibility while adding new features.
- Coordinating efforts among multiple contributors.
Community Response
The community has shown mixed reactions to the revival. Some see it as a nostalgic tribute, while others argue that it's a misguided attempt to revive outdated technology.
Future Plans
The team plans to release a beta version of their work by early 2025, with a full release following in 2026. They've also announced a GitHub repository where users can contribute and test the software.
