X Server 1.8 Snapshot 2 Released

With there being just more than three months left until the planned release of X Server 1.8, Keith Packard has just issued the second snapshot for those interested in trying out this developmental X.Org server. The first X Server 1.8 snapshot came two months ago, but this second snapshot is arriving later than expected after having to deal with some bugs.

What is important to note with this second snapshot is that it breaks the X Server ABI for input, video, and extension interfaces. This means that users of X Server 1.8 that depend upon the binary NVIDIA and ATI/AMD graphics drivers will need to wait for an appropriate driver update that brings ABI compatibility with this new X Server. NVIDIA should be supporting the interface changes soon, while if based upon AMD's past actions, it will be some months before the Catalyst Linux driver delivers on X Server 1.8 support.

There are just under 150 changes in X Server 1.8 Snapshot 2 that touch the DIX, EXA, XQuartz, and other areas. The release announcement for X Server 1.8 snapshot 2 can be found on xorg-announce. X Server 1.8 under their new release process is planned for release at the end of March and is expected to have xorg.conf.d support, removal of HAL support, and other changes.