Multi-Pointer X Window Server

[Fred]

Binary package hint: xorg

Integrate MPX which is a modification to the existing X.Org which provides multiple independent pointers (mouse cursors).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPX

Unix has always been a multi-user operating system ever since it was conceived with time-sharing. Now with MPX, multiple users can use the same computer at the same time.

* Good for collaboration, team work, etc.
* Can hook 8 screens, 8 mouse into same computer, instead of buy 8 computers.
* Good for poor countries, schools, etc.
* Good for ambidextrous person and for some graphics/art/3D/model/object manipulation and rotation.

This removes the limit of just one cursor. Ubuntu would be the only operating system with support for simultaneous use of multiple mouses/pointer input devices.

Remove all barriers and limits. No arbitrary limits. Sky is the limit. Lead by innovation.

MPX on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MUOn_nJmRA

[Fred (eldmannen+launchpad)]

I heard this will be integrated into Xorg 7.6 or something.

[Edoardo Batini (edoardo-batini)]

Mpx has been merged in Xorg since May 2008 and should be released in 7.4 version. that's what i read...

[Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton)]

No, in that case intrepid would have it already. It could be released with xorg-server 1.6 (X11 7.5).

[Edoardo Batini (edoardo-batini)]

Right.

"X.Org was slated to receive MPX support, but Multi-Pointer X ended up being postponed to the next release. Multi-Pointer X has since merged to master but will not be present until X Server 1.6. However, if Xi2 and Xkb2 aren't completed and stabilized in time, Keith Packard has mentioned he will disable Multi-Pointer X at build-time for X Server 1.6 and hold it off for a X Server 1.7 feature."

source:
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=xorg_74_released&num=1

[Motin (motin)]

Ok, so this basically means that we can probably enable MPX manually in Jaunty be rebuilding the X.org 1.6 included therein.

Anyone succeeded with this using the current Alpha and can share how it's done? Testing this is crucial to get the MPX server integrated faster.

[Motin (motin)]

More information:
"What this release doesn't have, however, is X Input 2 or Multi-Pointer X even though MPX had entered the master X Server tree nearly a year ago. A draft of the X Input 2.0 protocol specification is available. These input features are being held off until X Server 1.7 with X.Org 7.5."

"It's our prediction that it will be at least July or August before X.Org 7.5 / X Server 1.7 is released, but more than likely it will be out in September."

source:
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=xorg_server_16&num=1

[Motin (motin)]

Some update - 9.10 will not include MPX due to the delayed X Server 1.7
Source: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=NzQzNA

Hopefully ppa's will be made available for Karmic so that we at least can test MPX...

[Jouni Mettala (jouni-mettala)]

This is good how to: http://alec.mooo.com/mpx.php

It works for me in current Lucid don't know about Karmic.

[Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton)]

lucid has xserver 1.7

[Erik B. Andersen (azendale)]

Works in Lucid, Not in karmic, at least using the link Jouni Mettala posted.