
For the past year, there has been a slow and steady stream of news events regarding XFree86, X11, or new X server implementations. To those not paying close attention (and even those who are), the meaning of some of these events may not be clear. In this brief article, I attempt to share my impression on what the changes mean for users of free software on the desktop. It appears that XFree86 is in some turmoil, and it may leave some to infer that free desktop systems will suffer.
Note that, contrary to what the article states, the new XFree86 license does NOT have an advertising clause. It just requires one to acknowledge the work of the XFree86 team, in the documentation or in the program, wherever other such acknowledgments appear.
This is not anywhere near as outrageous as some people make it out to be, and may not even lead to GPL incompatibility.