To get started with Xdmx, you must have a copy of Xdmx on your system. There are three ways to proceed at this point:
Download and install the latest binary RPM. This is the quickest and easiest solution. However, this version may not contain bug fixes that have been noticed since it was released. Further, if you find a bug, you will be asked to try the CVS version for verification and testing. The latest binary RPM is considered to be the latest stable release and is the recommended method for those wanting to try out Xdmx for the first time.
Download and build the latest source tarball. This version will match the contents of the binary RPM and, therefore, may not have fixes for all known bugs. The latest source tarball (or source RPM) is considered to be the latest stable release.
Download and build the latest version from the CVS repository. This is the very latest version and will contain bug fixes for all known problems. However, it is a development version and may contain new features and new bugs. We recommend the binary RPM for those wanting to try Xdmx for the first time. Please see Building the DMX server for additional information on building the CVS version.
After you have installed Xdmx, typing "Xdmx" will provide you with verbose but cryptic help on how to run the server. For more extensive help, please see the Xdmx man page.
Say you are running Xdmx on a machine called x0 and you have two other machines available, x1 and x2, both of which have X servers running on them (i.e., you have logged into the console on x1 and x2 and are running an X session). To start Xdmx, use the following command:
Xdmx :1 +xinerama -display x1:0 -display x2:0
There should now be an X server running on x0 with the DISPLAY name ":1" (or, "x0:1"). The displays on x1 and x2 provide a unified input display, and the mouse on x1 should be able to move the cursor from x1 to x2 and back again. You can now set up applications to run on ":1", with the output being displayed on the x1 and x2 displays.
Xdmx is powerful and has many features. Please see the FAQ and the Xdmx man page for more information.