Direct X

What is direct x? To understand exactly what it is, we must first understand what an API (Application Programming Interface) is.

Programmers whom are gaming developers often choose to write directly to hardware, bypassing certain operating system safeguards. While their approach may be admirable in certain respects, it could become a nightmare for users who do not have the particular hardware the programmer assumed the user had. Programs often crashed because of this fact.

Since this could not be allowed, Microsoft developed a set of APIs, better termed middleware, to which developers of graphic applications can now write their programs to.
Basically, you now had your software on the top. Direct x, a collection of APIs in the middle and your hardware on the bottom.

Of course, things were not as simple as this. Direct x is further broken down into two distinct layers. One is termed the foundation layer, which deals with sound and certain input devices such as the keyboard and joysticks. The second is the media layer. This is responsible for such high level functions as animation, media streaming and interactivity.

Direct x also features two additional layers. One is termed HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) and the other is known as HEL (Hardware Emulation Layer). Developers write first to the HAL with fallback to the HEL should there be features lacking in the hardware.

The final thing I wish to mention concerning direct x has to do with the version you are using. Under no circumstances can you install an older version of direct x upon a newer version. The above might happen should you install a new piece of hardware and then the drivers for it.

Under a worst case scenario, this could result in the need to reinstall your entire operating system.

Linux and Modems - While I had no trouble installing the initial operating system, getting all of the peripherals to work was another matter. Upon installing Linux for the first time, I tried to connect with the modem. While I had little trouble connecting in terminal mode, I was unable to connect to the Internet. I soon discovered upon examining a Linux Web site that not all modems are compatible with this operating system.

As a general rule, it seems best to avoid obtaining an internal modem, especially a Win modem which is dependent upon the Windows operating system. Does this mean that all software driven internal modems are incompatible with Linux and all external modems are compatible with it? The answer to both questions is no.

For example, at least two software driven internal modems manufactured in the latter part of the 20th century have been found to be compatible with Linux. Although most external modems manufactured today are labeled plug and play, they should work. They may have to be set up as non plug and play or require additional configuration.

Note: On some newer versions of Linux, new binary only drivers have been released, enabling the use of some of these so called Win modems. Although you may find some support for many Lucent and a few other models, support for many of these modems still remains sketchy and for links and drivers, as well as added information. Browse to the Linux Win modem page at www.linmodems.org.

©June 2000 Paul J. Twardy, Office Overload Rescuers