Xming

This X Window Server works, but it fails to include needed files and a Help file. Xming’s interface is merely an X Window Server, and it’s for experts only. If you don’t know how to launch and run applications under X, and if Putty and SSH are programs you have never used, then stay away from Xming until you have more experience. The publisher includes precious little help with this software, and only slightly more online.

Xming launches the X Windows Server then waits for applications to be added to the X desktop. The best method to start the apps is with Xlaunch, a program included with this package. Xlaunch uses a fairly straightforward wizard approach to open programs on the X desktop. Selecting Xming’s display settings is a mere matter of clicking a radio button to choose one of four options. Xlaunch then offers options to start Xming as a plain desktop or to open with a client running on the X desktop. The default is to merely open the desktop, but that option leaves less-experienced users in the dark on how to use Xming. There is no Help file or prompts for using the X server desktop. Choosing to load Xming with a client running on the desktop also has problems. The option given fails to properly load. Xlaunch’s Help screen includes a short description of a configuration file. Our testers found the description too short to properly create the file. The remaining steps of the wizard offer poorly explained options.

This application left our testers in a quandary. Xming works well after a very steep learning curve. To properly use this app users are expected to find and download configuration files, Help manuals, and aide programs. As downloaded, Xming is simply not enough for anyone other than those already experienced with X Windows Servers. You won’t spend any money on this free program, but you can expect to spend a great deal of time learning to use it.