title: Setting up OpenGL on Linux for gtkmm and cross-compilation
body: <p>I am starting learning OpenGL and I am not sure, how to set it up on (Ubuntu) Linux.</p>
  
  <p>I think that this could be a way:</p>
  
  <p>OpenGL is only a graphics language <strong>specification</strong> (or interface) and to properly use it I have to download some library (for the specific OS) that <strong>implements</strong> the OpenGL specification.</p>
  
  <p>After long searching and from multiple sources I found that the Mesa 3D Graphics Library would be the best for me.</p>
  
  <p>I also found the SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) library but it seems to be a library for all other things beside graphics (e.g. GUI, sound, keyboard and mouse input, ...). I need ONLY a graphics library, so that it will implement the OpenGL specification.</p>
  
  <p>As a graphical user interface I use the Gtkmm library and I am "very satisfied" with it so far, so I would like to "connect" gtkmm with OpenGL - for that I found an extension to gtkmm library called <code>gtkglextmm</code> by means of which I should be able to draw the OpenGL animation to a window (or <code>DrawingArea</code> in Gtkmm jargon) in GUI (but I have not tried it yet so I hope it will work :-) ).</p>
  
  <p>And the last problem is the cross compilation from Linux to Windows (with the MinGW cross compiler). So far, I have successfully cross compiled (from Linux to Windows) all my work done with the Gtkmm library.</p>
  
  <p>When I combine it with OpenGL, won't it be any problem to cross compile it (e.g. do I need to link something special when compiling with the Gcc compiler, or should I distribute some Windows OpenGL library with my application)?</p>
  
  <p>I would be very pleased I you confirmed that I am in the right direction or turned me in the right direction that I could done something easier or better way.</p>