> Also the composited desktop Aero shipped in Windows Vista in late 2006, the same year as the initial release of Compiz.
Opposite end of the year though since Compiz was released at the start of 2006. Compiz had seen significant development over that year (unlike Windows that only ships big graphical updates in new OS releases). So much so that by the time Vista was out it had already forked a mature competitor: Beryl.
Plus Compiz wasn’t the first compositing Window on Linux either. Just arguably the best in that era.
> I don’t know how much these different compositing window managers inspired each other. To me it seems like there is some convergent evolution.
Technology almost always works that way. But it’s fair to note that Compiz did feel miles ahead of the competition at the time. Which I think is entirely down to its module system. Meaning anyone could build their own effects and not just wait for their OS developers to release a new service pack.
I always thought it was neat that the three main competitors in use then were Beryl, Aqua, and Aero - solid, liquid, and gas. Not sure if that was intentional or not.
Opposite end of the year though since Compiz was released at the start of 2006. Compiz had seen significant development over that year (unlike Windows that only ships big graphical updates in new OS releases). So much so that by the time Vista was out it had already forked a mature competitor: Beryl.
Plus Compiz wasn’t the first compositing Window on Linux either. Just arguably the best in that era.
> I don’t know how much these different compositing window managers inspired each other. To me it seems like there is some convergent evolution.
Technology almost always works that way. But it’s fair to note that Compiz did feel miles ahead of the competition at the time. Which I think is entirely down to its module system. Meaning anyone could build their own effects and not just wait for their OS developers to release a new service pack.