Hi, I'm thinking about installing XGL/Compiz, but judging from Google results etc. I can't really tell how far it's developed, how stable it is, etc... so, I'd like to hear people's (latest) experiences with XGL, and what people think about it so far.

Why isn't there a "Tried to use it but it broke my computer" option? That's my situation.

Oops, forgot that one It's not a very well-advertised on their website.. Thanks for the input though.

I wasted an entire day on it. If I got it to work I think I'd love it, but be prepared (especially on low-end hardware) not end in success or spen way too much time on it.

You're also missing a "I think it's stupid" option. It's a great idea in theory but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired.

strange... I love it. If it wrecks your pc... well, it's beta. If you don't want trouble, don't install stuff still in development.

It works flawlessly for me. The only bug is that I can't fullscreen videos (they even listed my graphic card for having exactly that problem)

The whole desktop feels more organic, that's the main thing. I don't use multible desktops that much normally. But it's really much easier to find stuff if you have the visual aid.
Well, I don't use it right now, because Ubuntu is my main system for now, and I don't want to screw around with a stable system. But as soon as it's out for good, nothing can keep me from using it.

And for the people who "wrecked their system"... all you have to do is to search your xorg.conf for "xgl" and replace it with "xorg" and you're home again. Nothing worse should happen.

I actually like it also. I've turned off the features that I find annoying or not useful. I find drop shadows to be a necessity for me when I have several windows open. My major problem is 2d video playback, so I either use a different WM/DE or turn of compiz when I am doing video editing.

They key is I can turn it off when I need to. So nice to have an operating system that allow this much control.

There should be a "tried to get it to work and it wouldn't compile" option too. That was me. Well, at first it did break my system, the 3D part anyway, I had to recompile mesa to get 3D in regular Xorg to work again. It looks nice though, but even if it did compile right now, I wouldn't trust using that as my default X sence it's in beta. I just wanted to try it and see how it was. I think it will be real nice once they get it working well though.

I'm primarily concerned with its state of usability, not its practicality By 'stupid', are you referring to the entire idea, or just the current implementation?

>but be prepared (especially on low-end hardware) not end in success or spen way too much time on it.
>tried to get it to work and it wouldn't compile
Hmm. That's right, missed the "I couldn't get it to work" option.

Thanks for the input people, keep it coming! (the poll seems to have a more or less even distribution... *sigh*)

EDIT: Is there a way for me to modify the poll?

Just the current implementation. An OpenGL-accelerated desktop is a fantastic idea that Apple have been doing since forever (I lied, since OS X). If you dig around the Nvidia site they've written a PDF that is an argument for implementing the same things as Xgl is touting through the current driver model system.

I think its a great idea- but right now It is not that usefull.

I think when KDE 4 comes out it will be great. I'm hoping that XGL will be out of beta by then, and will work better with KDE. Also- KDE needs to work WITH XGL to make it usefull (popup windows maybe transparent). Once KDE really intergrates in into their DE it will be amazing.

I see. Is there any news about work being done on such an implementation though? Or do you suppose that will only happen if XGL dies first?

One of the major reasons holding me back from trying XGL myself so far, is the requirement of using Compiz as WM in order to get the cool effects. I'm very attached to Fluxbox, and I've never much liked Gnome or KDE (looks like Windows with bigger/uglier titlebars and icons). But I figured, if it seems ready enough for use, then I'd give it a go anyway, in case the eyecandy changes my mind. So far, it doesn't look like it's 'ready' though.

It makes my eyes dizzy, Period.

Even if you turn of all the visual effects, it can still be useful. You'll have a faster window manager that doesn't even have to look different.

It would be interesting to know how long you all have been using it before deciding whether or not you like it.
I guess I had it switched on for about 50 hours. I didn't think it was all that useful at first, but once I started to use all the features it was very handy.
I do alot of audio work, so I put ardour on the first site of the cube, the mixer to the left, and jamin and jack to the right.

I posted some screenshots in a recording forum. I'm 'roman' - scroll down, for my suse screenshots.

http://www.recordingproject.com/bbs/...ic.php?t=22304

well, first let me say that looking bad by default was what put me off KDE at first. But then I tried it out, customized it a little (KDE is VERY customizable) and I loved it (i was first a gnome user).

The Reason KDE needs to intigrate it more that the other WM's/DE's is that kde already focuses on more of the graphical side of things while being less "light". KDE has the user base that has some memory to spare.