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ATI Updates Linux Drivers
GraWil writes "Famed graphics card maker and documented Linux supporter ATI has refreshed its proprietary Linux drivers (3.11.1) for the Radeon and FireGL series cards. Unfortunately, many of the previous comments still apply and it seems that ATI is not yet committed to supporting Linux well. The procedure for installing is now documented in a separate how-to but it seems that quite a few are stuck in an endless cycle of compiling kernels with/without DRI/AGPGART/RADEON/DBE (insert random module here). For those with strong enough feelings, ATI is seeking feedback on these drivers."
It's actually pretty easy to get 3D working if you have an ATI Card. 1) Sell your ATI card on eBay 2) Pick up a nVidia 3) Boom! Your done. Easy! I don't see why so many people are having problems...
For other people who might misunderstand this, click here. ;)
I keep wondering about this whenever the subject comes up. It's clear that the NVidia drivers rock under Linux; they release updates, they support the community, etc. But what's the long-term escape plan? What happens when NVidia either goes out of business or decides to stop updating drivers for older cards and something changes in the Linux kernel to make their binary drivers break? Will you all just freeze your boxes at that point in time, never updating them again?
Well... I'd gladly develop linux drivers for ATI. Unforunately, I think they've laughed at my resume more than once. They probably keep it around for kicks.
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Go back and crawl under you rock, you moron.
We do not want proprietary drivers. I prefer no drivers to proprietary drivers. When a Linux box begins crashing because of some weird proprietary drivers, who do you think most customers will blame?
Pragmatism as an ideology is not particularly pragmatic in the long term. Keep it in mind when you dismiss Free Software