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Running ProMAX 8-bit Display Tools Using a VNC Server for an 8-bit Desktop

Most new workstations are configured to utilize 24-bit color for display. A

number of old ProMAX display tools will execute only in an 8-bit display mode.

This document explains how to start a VNC server on your workstation and VNC

client so you have an 8-bit color desktop. This allows you to keep your normal

24-bit desktop open, and have another desktop where you can run ProMAX using the

8-bit display modules.

Start at the command line in an X-terminal on a 24-bit desktop (such as KDE or

Gnome). Below is a snapshot of what you enter inbold, plus all of the prompts

and messages you will see.

In this example, the hostname is bblinux, the username is reb and the users

home directory is /lair/reb.

bblinux://lair/reb> vncserver -cc 3 -depth 8 -geometry 1200x1000

You will require a password to access your desktops.

Password: >

Verify: >

New 'X' desktop is bblinux:1

Creating default startup script /lair/reb/.vnc/xstartup

Starting applications specified in /lair/reb/.vnc/xstartup

Log file is /lair/reb/.vnc/bblinux:1.log

bblinux://lair/reb> vncviewer bblinux:1

VNC server supports protocol version 3.3 (viewer 3.3)

Password: >VNC authentication succeeded

Desktop name "reb's X desktop (bblinux:1)"

Connected to VNC server, using protocol version 3.3

VNC server default format:

8 bits per pixel.

Colour map (not true colour).

Using default colormap which is TrueColor. Pixel format:

32 bits per pixel.

Least significant byte first in each pixel.

True colour: max red 255 green 255 blue 255, shift red 16 green 8 blue 0

Using shared memory PutImage

Same machine: preferring raw encoding

Cntl-z (pause job and put it in background so you regain control of the X-terminal)[1]+ Stopped vncviewer:1

bblinux://lair/reb>bg

[1]+ vncviewer bblinux:1

bblinux://lair/reb>

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The first time you run vncviewer, the following directory information will be

created in your home directory:

$HOME/.vnc/

$HOME/.vnc/xstartup

Content of xstartup is this:

#!/bin/sh

# Red Hat Linux VNC session startup script

exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

This startup script starts the vnc session to use the same desktop that you

have configured when you logon to a machine. This might be KDE or Gnome or some

other desktop. I have found it is nicer to run this 8-bit desktop using twm

desktop, which is a very simple desktop. The color flashing and general

appearance is nicer with this desktop than with KDE or Gnome in 8-bit color.

Before you change to this desktop, be sure to confirm that you have twminstalled in /usr/X11R6/bin.

In order to use twm, I modified my $HOME/.vnc/xstartup file to look like this:

#!/bin/sh

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources

xsetroot -solid grey

xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &

twm &

NOTE: Some basic things to understand

You start the vncserver

You start the vncviewer to connect to the server

If you have only one ProMAX license, you will have to exit (or kill) theProMAX user interface on the 24-bit desktop before you can open ProMAX on

the 8-bit desktop.

When you are finished with the vncviewer window, you should close itusing the X in the far upper left or right of the window frame.

If you leave the vncserver process running, you can open the vncvieweragain without restarting the vncserver. You will be asked for the password

every time you open the vncviewer

Read the man pages for vncserver and vncviewer for more information. If you use the twm desktop, be aware that the desktop will come up empty

the first time you start it. Press and hold MB1 to get a pop-up menu of

options, then slide the cursor down to Xterm and release MB1. Click once

to get the window to appear.

The man pages for twm might be helpful.