freedesktop, Xfree86 and Xdamage

Hi,
     All you experts out there, I need some help with the basics of freedesktop and xfree86. I am in need of something like whats being tried out in the Xdamage project of freedesktop.org .

     what do i have to do to try it out on my redhat 9 box ? do i have to replace the entire X system and compile + install everything from the freedesktop cvs/snapshots ? 

      how exactly is freedesktop related to xfree86 ? all the talk about some packages by freedesktop becoming defacto standards and some on the way are confusing me. how are the x strike force, and debian linux related to this free desktop initiative ?
would anyone be kind enough to clarify ?

thanks a mil
'j'