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Trident Micro Update

Posted by michael on from the retrograde-advance dept.

grendelkhan writes: "According to Linux Today, Trident is denying that they are no longer supporting open source developers for XFree86." This message from Eich clarifies the events leading up to this. Looks like Trident chips will continue to be supported, one way or another.

6 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. More like maybe not. by AltGrendel · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I don't think the email really answers the question. It sounds to me kind of like it's still in negotiation.

    --
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    - Douglas Adams

  2. Oh I Feel Like an Ass by Cylix · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well I went through the process of sending their customer relations department a nice letter.

    I calmly informed them if quality drivers for their products ceased to emerge in the marketplace that I would seek other alternatives.

    At the time I felt like an informed reader and now I feel like an ass.

    --
    "You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." -- Yogi Berra
    1. Re:Oh I Feel Like an Ass by rknop · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Don't feel like an ass. If you politely and calmly worded it, it still applies.

      Trident may come out and say that they aren't refusing support to open-source software. But that's marketspeak if it is impossible for Open Source developers to get access to programming information without signing an NDA that prohibits source distribution. "We support open source software, but we won't give programming information to people who distribute source" is inherently contradictory.

      Believe their actions, not their words. So far, their actions are not favorable, if the reports of the XFree86 developer not being able to get information are correct. We'll see if they turn around. Your letter was almost certainly still appropriate.

      -Rob

  3. Getting someone else to ask by hrieke · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've said this in the last posting of the story, but it was at the bottom so I don't know how many people saw it:
    We should have IBM, Micron, or who ever else uses these chips in their laptops to ask Trident to release the documentation that is needed to develop a driver for FreeX.
    It's harder to ignore IBM than it is a single developer.

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  4. The Gist by LWolenczak · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The gist is that, the driver will only be able to be distribued in a binary form if they are required to sign the NDA. So, all the VP did was beat around the bush, and say that we will continue to support open source, but without saying it, he reaffirmed the position that you can get the docs, but you can't share the info, thus only a binary driver can be distributed.

  5. Optional TVExpress Video Encoder by swinginSwingler · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I wonder if this has anything to do with the TVExpress Video Encoder that can comes as an optional (hardware?) addition to the chipset. According to this site:


    http://www.tridentmicro.com/videcomm/tridproduct s/ 3d_desktop/blade3d.htm


    The Encoder offers "MacroVision Version 7.01 Copy Protection support" If that's the case then most likely they can not have source code released that may allow someone to circumvent the protection scheme. If you know anything more about this please post.