Frequently Asked Questions With Answers
***************************************

Maintained by Scott Christley <scottc@net-community.com>.

   Last updated March 1997.  The most up-to-date version of this FAQ is
available at:

     `ftp://www.gnustep.org/Documentation/gnustep-xdps/gnustep-xdps_toc.html'

   Please send corrections to <scottc@net-community.com>.

  1. What is the GNUstep GUI X/DPS Backend?

     It is a back-end component for the GNUstep GUI Library.  The
     implementation of the GNUstep GUI Library is designed in two
     parts.  The first part is the front-end component which is
     independent of platform and display system.  This front-end is
     combined with a back-end component which handles all of the
     display system dependent such as specific calls to the X Window
     System.  This design allows the GNUstep applications to have the
     "look and feel" of the underlying display system without any
     changes to the application, and the library can be easily ported
     to other display systems.

     The GNUstep GUI X/DPS Backend is for platforms using the X Window
     System in combination with the Display Ghostscript System.  The
     Display Ghostscript System is the free software GNU equivalent to
     the Display PostScript System as specified by Adobe Systems
     Incorporated; it should be possible to use `gnustep-xdps' with
     Adobe's DPS extensions to the X Window System.

  2. Is it true that OpenStep doesn't define a "look and feel"?

     That is correct.  OpenStep only defines the Objective-C interface
     to the GUI elements; though some of the "feel" may be indirectly
     assumed from OpenStep.  For example, how the various NSButton
     types respond to user input.

     Neither the X Window System nor the Display Ghostscript System
     specify a "look and feel", so the GNUstep GUI X/DPS Backend is the
     definitive "look and feel" for GNUstep.  All of the icons, images,
     and any artwork and resources are meant for GNUstep developers and
     users; if you use any such resources in non-GNUstep work, please
     be considerate and give ample recognition to GNUstep and to the
     artists who have contributed their art.

  3. What is the current state of development of the library?

     You can review the most up-to-date status report at:

          `http://www.gnustep.org/Documentation/gnustep-xdps/gnustep-xdps_toc.html'.

  4. Where can I get a copy?

     The gstep-xdps-0.5.0.tar.gz distribution file has been placed on
     `ftp.gnustep.org' in `pub/gnustep/core'.

     The most recent (not necessarily tested) snapshots of the library
     will be placed in
     `ftp://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/gnustep'.


