MEX (windowing system)

From RetroWikipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Mex
Developer(s)Silicon Graphics
Initial release1985; 40 years ago (1985)
Repository
  • {{URL|example.com|optional display text}}Script error: The module returned a nil value. It is supposed to return an export table.
Engine
    Script error: The module returned a nil value. It is supposed to return an export table.
    Operating systemIRIX
    TypeWindowing system

    mex (multiple exposure) is a windowing system created by Silicon Graphics, used on 68k-based IRIS systems and early IRIS 4D systems.[1][2] Mex was originally loaded over a network through the use of GL1 routines kept on a remote host machine, usually a VAX. When the IRIS 1400 workstation and GL2-W (IRIX) were introduced, mex was allowed to run locally. Mex was used in IRIX from the GL2-W2.1.0 release to the 4D1-2.3 release.

    With the introduction of 4D1-3.0 (IRIX 3.0), and the complete migration to MIPS processors, support for the GL / GL2 powered mex ended in the late 1980s, replaced by Sun Microsystems' NeWS and the 4Sight window manager.

    References

    1. Rocky Rhodes, Paul Haeberli, Kipp Hickman, "Mex — A Window Manager for the IRIS", USENIX Conference Proceedings, Summer 1985, pages 381–392.
    2. Florentine, Robin; Locke, Steven; Szente, Celia; Williams, Glen; Diane, Wilford (1985). "IRIS Users guide" (PDF). bitsavers.org (IRIS System Manual). Silicon Graphics, Inc. pp. 247–262.