On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 18:51:47 -0500, Sam Varshavchik <mrsam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Guy Fraser writes: > > On Tue, 2005-18-01 at 21:37 -0500, Sam Varshavchik wrote: > >> There are many graphics cards with reliable, open source, native x.org > >> drivers. I suggest that you pick one, and support the vendors that support > >> open source. > >> > > Again you are so wrong. > > What's wrong with supporting vendors that support open source? Nothing. But as Paul pointed out, ATi does not support open source either. [snip] > Well, these closed source drivers may be there today. Will they be there > tomorrow? When a new kernel comes out, is there any chance that NVidia > might change their mind, decide not to invest any more resources into > support AMD64, and stop providing bug fixes and updates? This is always possible. Of course, you could also give this argument for Windows. They could decide not to support x64, or Longhron, or other Windows updates. This, of course, would be unthinkable, and yes, dropping Linux support would be *much* more likely, but one can still make the argument. One could also argue that nVidia could decide to open source their drivers. Again, not very likely, but it is possible. Likewise, I think this is not very likely as long as nVidia sees they can make money by supporting Linux. Anything can change, so let's evaluate what we have now. Right now, nVidia provides good support for Linux with closed-source drivers. > I know I won't have that problem with an open source driver. But will that driver continue to support the video cards that are out there? Eventually ATi will stop making the chipsets that are currently supported. Then ATi and nVidia will truely be in the same boat, and I think nVidia (right now) has the more stable Linux ship. Probably the best thing we can do is support the video card companies that support Linux at all. Maybe if we show are support and are vocal enough, they will open source their drivers. At least they will continue to support their products and give Linux the respect it deserves as a viable operating system. If we turn our backs on those who try to support us, but do not give us exactly what we want, who will benefit from that? Jonathan
