Re: GeForce 8800 GTS under Linux
- From: Chris Cox <ccox_nopenotthis@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:39:19 -0500
Darren Salt wrote:
I demand that Wolfgang Draxinger may or may not have written...
[snip]
NVidia is really supporting the Linux folks
No they're not. They're providing binaries for only two architectures out of
the... I don't know, 20- or 30-odd supported by the kernel. [1]
However... that IS support. Do you want them to stop? Send them
a letter... start a petition... let them know that you don't want
them to support Linux in any form unless they are going to support
it all.
I think the more we tick off hardware developers for trying
to expand their marketshare using Linux the worse off Linux will
be. Which I suppose you see as a benefit?
Encouraging vendors to change business models towards a more
open and hopefully free solution takes time. But let's use
a fork instead of a knife as our tool of encouragement.
Much the same goes for ATI, except that here at least, we have *some*
hardware with well-supported open-source drivers and open-source 3D. Though
the best supported of it is just a little on the old side, and a lot of
reverse engineering has been needed (and continues to be needed for avivo
and, to a lesser extent these days, r300).
Well.. apples... oranges. ATI is EXACTLY the same as Nvidia except
their driver stinks (<50% performance when compared to Windows).
Like Nvidia, it's unlikely ATI will ever open source.... there are just
too many lawsuits that would arise.
Intel, now... yes, they definitely are supporting the Linux folks and keeping
their drivers up to date with kernel developments. And the X.org, DRM and
kernel developers are helping...
Very true. In fact, changes to xorg (by Intel) will make it very hard for Nvidia
and ATI to continue to release drivers for Linux... but obviously, much
easier for Intel. Shame that Intel is absolutely clueless about how
to make an accelerated GPU... sigh...
So... if you don't like Nvidia or ATI, the bar could be get incredibly
high for them... so who knows... you may get your wish... they may
pull completely out of the Linux market.
[snip]
Heck, they even release open source drivers for 2D only (the X.Org nv
driver).
I find one of the goals of the Nouveau project, that of de-obfuscation of the
nv source, somewhat telling...
[1] Yes, I know, some of them are used only where nVidia's graphics hardware
can't be used, and the two which they claim to support happen to be the
most common...
Nouveau is an upward climb and in all likelihood, it will get steeper. You
can compare it in many ways to the difficulties of wine. As you take two
steps closer to the target, the target then moves 6 steps away.
The solution is for a company like Intel (for example) to become better
armed with regards to GPU technology. I'm not sure if it's possible
to prod ATI or Nvidia into going free/open with their source, it's probably
easier to reinvent the wheel. Intel has something... it's not very good,
but it's something... maybe a good foundation to build something good.
Intel is planning on releasing standalone cards (a step forward), but
let's face it... the GPU is garbage, performance wise... but it is
VERY Linux friendly (or at least will be with the deployment of 7.3 and
beyond).
I think Linux is situated to replace other OS's in all ways... not just
as a simple server or web appliance. In short, I play 3d games on
my Linux box instead of dual booting.... which is what most of
the nay-sayers do. Which I find much more offensive than the fact that
Nvidia and ATI aren't free today.
Best card for gaming on Linux is x86 (32 or 64bit) Nvidia. Sad, but
true. If you don't want/need games (e.g. you haven't paid anit-FOSS slavery
money to Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft either), then Intel is a VERY good
choice today.
.
- References:
- GeForce 8800 GTS under Linux
- From: Arno Wagner
- Re: GeForce 8800 GTS under Linux
- From: Wolfgang Draxinger
- Re: GeForce 8800 GTS under Linux
- From: Darren Salt
- GeForce 8800 GTS under Linux
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