# XQF

> game server browser

**Wikidata**: [Q1054783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1054783)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xqf

## Summary
XQF is a game server browser designed to help users locate and connect to multiplayer game servers. It is a software application maintained on GitHub, with its latest preferred release version 1.0.6.2 published in 2014. The tool is widely available across various Linux distributions and macOS via MacPorts.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** XQF is a game server browser and a non-tangible executable software component.
- **Latest Version:** The preferred version is 1.0.6.2, released on November 2, 2014.
- **Source Repository:** The source code is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/XQF/xqf`.
- **Website:** The project's preferred homepage is `https://xqf.github.io/`.
- **Package Availability:** It is available in the Arch User Repository (AUR) as `xqf`, Debian stable as `xqf`, Gentoo as `games-util/xqf`, and MacPorts as `xqf`.
- **Historical Releases:** The software has a development history dating back to the year 2000, with version 0.9.4f released on November 5, 2000.
- **Identifiers:** The project has a Freebase ID of `/m/026lmbb` and a Pro-Linux.de database application ID of 937.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** The software has Wikipedia articles in Finnish (fi) and Chinese (zh).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the most recent version of XQF?
A: The most recent preferred version is 1.0.6.2, which was released on November 2, 2014.

### Q: Where can XQF be installed?
A: XQF is available for installation on Linux distributions including Debian, Gentoo, and Arch Linux (via AUR), as well as macOS through MacPorts.

### Q: Is the source code for XQF publicly available?
A: Yes, the source code repository is publicly hosted on GitHub.

## Why It Matters
XQF plays a specific role in the gaming ecosystem as a dedicated server browser, a utility that became essential for PC gamers during the early 2000s. Before the standardization of server browsers within game launchers (like Steam) or games themselves, standalone tools like XQF were critical for finding multiplayer matches. By querying game servers, it allows players to view server rules, player counts, ping rates, and map data before joining.

Its significance is highlighted by its widespread integration into major Linux package repositories (Debian, Gentoo, Arch) and its longevity; the project shows release data spanning from 2000 to 2014. This longevity demonstrates its utility as a maintenance tool for legacy gaming communities and open-source gaming enthusiasts who require a dedicated, lightweight method to scan for game servers outside of resource-heavy client interfaces.

## Notable For
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** Unlike many game-related tools that are Windows-centric, XQF is notably supported across multiple Linux distributions and macOS.
- **Long Development History:** The project has archived releases spanning over a decade, with the earliest recorded release (0.9.4f) in 2000 and the latest in 2014.
- **Open Source Accessibility:** The software is fully accessible via its source code on GitHub and is tracked by Repology, indicating active maintenance within the open-source community.
- **Specialized Utility:** It is strictly defined as a "game server browser," distinguishing it from all-in-one gaming clients or launchers.

## Body

### Software Classification
XQF is classified as **software**, specifically functioning as a **game server browser**. It serves as a non-tangible executable component that allows users to query and connect to multiplayer game servers.

### Version History
The development of XQF is documented through a series of releases, showing active maintenance particularly in the early 2000s and a later update in 2014.

*   **1.0.6.2:** Released November 2, 2014 (Preferred Version).
*   **0.9.6g:** Released April 19, 2001.
*   **0.9.6f:** Released January 14, 2001.
*   **0.9.6e:** Released January 8, 2001.
*   **0.9.6d:** Released January 7, 2001.
*   **0.9.6b:** Released December 21, 2000.
*   **0.9.6a:** Released December 5, 2000.
*   **0.9.5a:** Released November 26, 2000.
*   **0.9.5:** Released November 19, 2000.
*   **0.9.4f:** Released November 5, 2000.

### Distribution and Availability
XQF is highly integrated into the Unix-like software ecosystem. It is available directly through standard package managers, ensuring ease of installation for users on various systems.
*   **Debian Stable:** Available as `xqf`.
*   **Gentoo:** Available in the `games-util` category as `xqf`.
*   **Arch Linux:** Available in the Arch User Repository (AUR) as `xqf`.
*   **macOS:** Available via MacPorts as `xqf`.
*   **Repology:** Tracked under the project name `xqf`.

### Technical Resources
The project maintains an online presence through a preferred website hosted at `https://xqf.github.io/`. An older website is also listed at `http://www.linuxgames.com/xqf`. The source code is actively hosted on GitHub, allowing for transparency and community contribution.

## References

1. [2014](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.6.2)
2. [Release 0.9.4f. 2000](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.4f)
3. [Release 0.9.5a. 2000](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.5a)
4. [Release 0.9.5. 2000](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.5)
5. [Release 0.9.6a. 2000](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6a)
6. [Release 0.9.6b. 2000](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6b)
7. [Release 0.9.6d. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6d)
8. [Release 0.9.6e. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6e)
9. [Release 0.9.6f. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6f)
10. [Release 0.9.6g. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6g)
11. [Release 0.9.7a. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.7a)
12. [Release 0.9.7b. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.7b)
13. [Release 0.9.7c. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.7c)
14. [Release 0.9.7. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.7)
15. [Release 0.9.8. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.8)
16. [Release 0.9.9a. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9a)
17. [Release 0.9.9b. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9b)
18. [Release 0.9.9c. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9c)
19. [Release 0.9.9. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9)
20. [Release 0.9.9.1. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9.1)
21. [Release 0.9.9.2. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9.2)
22. [Release 0.9.9.3. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.9.3)
23. [Release 0.9.10. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.10)
24. [Release 0.9.10.1. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.10.1)
25. [Release 0.9.10.2. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.10.2)
26. [Release 0.9.11. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.11)
27. [Release 0.9.11.1. 2002](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.11.1)
28. [Release 0.9.11.2. 2003](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.11.2)
29. [Release 0.9.12. 2003](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.12)
30. [Release 0.9.12.1. 2003](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.12.1)
31. [Release 0.9.12.2. 2003](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.12.2)
32. [Release 0.9.13. 2003](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.13)
33. [Release 0.9.13.1. 2003](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.13.1)
34. [Release 0.9.13.2. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.13.2)
35. [Release 0.9.14. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.14)
36. [Release 0.9.14.1. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.14.1)
37. [Release 0.9.14.2. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.14.2)
38. [Release 0.9.6g-2048. 2001](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-0.9.6g-2048)
39. [Release 1.0. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0)
40. [Release 1.0.0.1. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.0.1)
41. [Release 1.0.0.2. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.0.2)
42. [Release 1.0.1. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.1)
43. [Release 1.0.2. 2004](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.2)
44. [Release 1.0.2.1. 2005](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.2.1)
45. [Release 1.0.3. 2005](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.3)
46. [Release 1.0.3.1. 2005](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.3.1)
47. [Release 1.0.4. 2005](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.4)
48. [Release 1.0.4.1. 2005](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.4.1)
49. [Release 1.0.5. 2007](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.5)
50. [Release 1.0.5.1. 2007](https://github.com/XQF/xqf/releases/tag/xqf-1.0.5.1)