Rdesktop GTK+ Port

Luke Scharf (luke@vt.edu)

Notice
As of February of 2001, I am no longer actively working on this project. The following folks are doing excellent work on Linux-compatible RDP clients: http://sourceforge.net/projects/rdesktop - The origional project on SourceForge. http://www.rdesktop.org - The origional project. http://bibl4.oru.se/projects/rdesktop - Some patches to rdesktop 1.0 that make it work with Win2k anda wider selection of X-Servers.

Notice

As of February of 2001, I am no longer actively working on this project. The following folks are doing excellent work on Linux-compatible RDP clients:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/rdesktop - The origional project on SourceForge.
http://www.rdesktop.org - The origional project.
http://bibl4.oru.se/projects/rdesktop - Some patches to rdesktop 1.0 that make it work with Win2k anda wider selection of X-Servers.

Introduction
Completed 18 January 2001 Rdesktop is a graphical client for Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server. It allows Unix/Linux users to remotely use a Terminal Server from inside X-Windows. Matthew Chapman architected the whole program, and wrote about 80% of the code in this release. His rdesktop page can be found at http://www.rdesktop.org/. I've modified his code under the terms of the GPL - he didn't reply to my e-mail asking for his blessing on this project. The original program (rdesktop 1.0.0) was written in xlib and required that the X-server provide a 256 color visual. I couldn't figure out a convenient way to bend the X-servers on the machines I administer, so I rewrote the graphical part in GTK+/GDK. I plan to rearchitect the entire program in my own style. Hopefully, this will make it easier for me to maintain and add features. If anyone can send me good information on the RDP5 protocol, I'll write a client for Win2k.

Introduction

Completed 18 January 2001

Rdesktop is a graphical client for Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server. It allows Unix/Linux users to remotely use a Terminal Server from inside X-Windows.

Matthew Chapman architected the whole program, and wrote about 80% of the code in this release. His rdesktop page can be found at http://www.rdesktop.org/. I've modified his code under the terms of the GPL - he didn't reply to my e-mail asking for his blessing on this project. The original program (rdesktop 1.0.0) was written in xlib and required that the X-server provide a 256 color visual. I couldn't figure out a convenient way to bend the X-servers on the machines I administer, so I rewrote the graphical part in GTK+/GDK.

I plan to rearchitect the entire program in my own style. Hopefully, this will make it easier for me to maintain and add features. If anyone can send me good information on the RDP5 protocol, I'll write a client for Win2k.

Bugs
Mysterious crashes - It segfaults in g_malloc() most of the time. Segfaults on exit - Most likely related to the other segfaulting problems. Leaves pixmaps on the X-server - I think I've got this one partially taken care of, but I have to restart my X-server every couple of days to free up memory. If you want to replicate this REALLY fast, just run the OpenGL screen saver in fullscreen for a few minutes. Misc. memory leaks - Yep, they're there. Not as bad as some of my earlier versions, but it could be better. Solitaire artifacts - There are some artifacts in Solitaire when outline dragging is disabled. I'm not sure that this one is in rdesktop.

Bugs

Mysterious crashes - It segfaults in g_malloc() most of the time.

Segfaults on exit - Most likely related to the other segfaulting problems.

Leaves pixmaps on the X-server - I think I've got this one partially taken care of, but I have to restart my X-server every couple of days to free up memory. If you want to replicate this REALLY fast, just run the OpenGL screen saver in fullscreen for a few minutes.

Misc. memory leaks - Yep, they're there. Not as bad as some of my earlier versions, but it could be better.

Solitaire artifacts - There are some artifacts in Solitaire when outline dragging is disabled. I'm not sure that this one is in rdesktop.

Screenshots
Combined Desktop - To show the significance of rdesktop. My Terminal Server - This should give you an idea what sort of environment we have here. Installing Microsoft Office - This, along with WorkView Office and Synplicity was one of the big motivations for me to get this working. A typical work-screen - Microsoft word, Internet Explorer, and some pretty colors. Previewing the OpenGL screen saver - This works surprisingly well. When running full screen, it's jerkey but it works. Also, notice the flat appearance of the wallpaper - the RDP4 protocol only allows for 8-bit color. Internet Explorer - The "right" way to run Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Screenshots

Combined Desktop - To show the significance of rdesktop.

My Terminal Server - This should give you an idea what sort of environment we have here.

Installing Microsoft Office - This, along with WorkView Office and Synplicity was one of the big motivations for me to get this working.

A typical work-screen - Microsoft word, Internet Explorer, and some pretty colors.

Previewing the OpenGL screen saver - This works surprisingly well. When running full screen, it's jerkey but it works. Also, notice the flat appearance of the wallpaper - the RDP4 protocol only allows for 8-bit color.

Internet Explorer - The "right" way to run Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Download and Installation
Source No installation is required for this program on Linux Just untar, make, and run. Enjoy!

Download and Installation

Source

No installation is required for this program on Linux Just untar, make, and run. Enjoy!

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