AMD and ATI what this means for Linux HW Support

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Jza
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AMD and ATI what this means for Linux HW Support

Post by Jza » Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:52 am

AMD has been a good player for Linux, releasing specifications for their cheaps. Geode being the latest has been one of the biggest efforts as OLPC efforts come into place. Linux has been the OS for this OS and most of the Geodes processors are planed for FLOSS software.

Wtih AMD buying ATI will this be the final great support from a good 3D acceleration layer with the X on Linux. If this comes into shape then we will see the Vector Abstract Layer come into place to create vectorial UI making the redimension being crips and more graphically appealing.
Alexandro COLORADO

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Gomer_X
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Re: AMD and ATI what this means for Linux HW Support

Post by Gomer_X » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:28 am

Jza wrote:AMD has been a good player for Linux, releasing specifications for their cheaps. Geode being the latest has been one of the biggest efforts as OLPC efforts come into place. Linux has been the OS for this OS and most of the Geodes processors are planed for FLOSS software.

Wtih AMD buying ATI will this be the final great support from a good 3D acceleration layer with the X on Linux. If this comes into shape then we will see the Vector Abstract Layer come into place to create vectorial UI making the redimension being crips and more graphically appealing.
As I've said every time this issue comes up, I don't think the big video card manufacturers are keeping their drivers closed because they don't like Linux. They have secrets to protect that are in that code. They have patented technology that they license that they can't reveal. Being owned by AMD won't suddenly make ATI open their drivers.

There are 2 companies I can think of who have a long history of having good drivers in the non-Windows world: Number 9 and Matrox. Where exactly are they now? Nowhere near the top of the market.

It's possible that AMD money will help bring us a business oriented 3D card with open drivers, but I can't see it for the cutting edge.

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