Message-ID: <8D53104ECD0CD211AF4000A0C9D60AE3014B918A@probe-2.acclaim-euro.net>
From: Shawn Hargreaves <ShawnH AT Probe DOT co DOT uk>
To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
Subject: Re: WHAT EXACLY IS MESA?
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 12:39:25 +0100 
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Reply-To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com

Steven Taylor writes:
> I've been to the MESA site, and nowhere does it actually say what MESA is.

From the very top of the page at http://www.mesa3d.org:

   "Mesa is a 3-D graphics library ..."

If you meant that you want more detailed information about what kind
of 3d graphics routines it provides, you could try looking at
http://www.mesa3d.org/doc.html, or downloading it to see for yourself.

> Please, don't answer me with, "MESA is an alternative to OpenGL" because I
> know Sweet Fanny Adams about OpenGL.

From http://www.opengl.org/About/FAQs.html#whatis:

   What is the OpenGL API? 

   OpenGL is the most widely adopted 3D graphics API in the 
   industry, bringing thousands of applications to a wide 
   variety of computer platforms. The API is not tied to any 
   one operating system and reflects the thinking and talents 
   of software developers from diverse graphics backgrounds. 
   As a highly versatile 2D and 3D graphics API, OpenGL enables 
   developers of software for PC, workstation and 
   supercomputing hardware to create high-performance, visually 
   compelling graphics software applications.

   OpenGL is a rendering only, vendor neutral API providing 2D 
   and 3D graphics functions, including modelling, 
   transformations, color, lighting, smooth shading, as well 
   as advanced features like texture mapping, NURBS, fog, alpha 
   blending and motion blur. OpenGL works in both immediate and 
   retained (display list) graphics modes.

   OpenGL is window system and operating system independent. 
   OpenGL has been integrated with Windows NT, Windows 95 and 
   with the X Window System under UNIX. Also, OpenGL is network 
   transparent. A defined common extension to the X Window 
   System allows an OpenGL client on one vendor's platform to 
   run across a network to another vendor's OpenGL server.

   The OpenGL functions described on the Capabilities page are 
   available in every OpenGL implementation to make applications 
   written with OpenGL easily portable between platforms. All 
   licensed OpenGL implementations are required to pass the 
   Conformance Tests, and come from a single specification and 
   language binding document.



	Shawn Hargreaves.