XFree86

XFree86 was a free and open-source implementation of the X Window System, the standard display system for Unix-like operating systems. It was the dominant X server for many years, serving as the foundation for graphical user interfaces on Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, and other platforms.

XFree86 was developed and maintained by the XFree86 Project, Inc., a non-profit organization. Its primary goal was to provide a stable, high-performance, and free X server, particularly for Intel x86-based systems (hence the name). The project was a descendant of the X386 server, originally developed by Thomas Roell.

XFree86 provided a platform-independent interface between graphical applications and the underlying hardware. It handled tasks such as displaying windows, managing fonts, and handling input devices like keyboards and mice. Drivers within XFree86 supported a wide range of graphics cards and input devices.

In 2004, a licensing dispute arose between the XFree86 Project, Inc. and its developers regarding the license terms of the XFree86 4.4 release. This dispute led to a significant fork in the development of X, with many developers leaving XFree86 to form X.Org.

The X.Org Server, under the umbrella of the X.Org Foundation, quickly superseded XFree86 as the dominant X server. While XFree86 continued to be maintained for a time, it eventually became inactive, with X.Org becoming the de facto standard. The last official release of XFree86 was version 4.8.0 in December 2003 (though some derivative distributions incorporated later patches).

The legacy of XFree86 is significant, as it played a crucial role in the popularization of graphical user interfaces on open-source operating systems. It also highlighted the importance of open-source licensing and community governance in software development. The work done on XFree86 served as a foundation for the X.Org Server, which continues to be used extensively today.