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XIG Releases Commercial OpenGL X-Server
Ansgar Philippsen writes "XIG has released a first version of their hardware accelerated OpenGL X-Server.
They offer a gamers edition (full screen only) and a professional edition (all goodies included). They support a wide range of chipsets.
I would be very curious to see some comments if anyone has tested this product, especially under non-gaming conditions, e.g. a scientific OpenGL app running in a window. Additionaly, a comparison to XFree's upcoming 4.0 version will be very interesting.
Unfortunately, I could not find any details on their implementation. XFree and PrecisionInsight have released a great amount of detail on their DRI/GLX implementation, and it sure would be nice to see how XIG did it." Interesting points: This is of course not open source, and at $99 for the game version and $250 for the pro version, its not cheap, but it does support several cards that aren't supported under XF86 (like my Number 9 Rev 4 for example).
It may support that number nine card that I've never heard of, but I didn't see any 3dfx, nvidia, or matrox cards on the supported list. It seems strange that XIG would claim a "gamers" edition without *any* of the most popular 3d gaming cards out there being supported.
Jeremy
Looking for a Python IRC bot?
This reminds me of the situation with the LISP-machines in the early 70'th, and later the proprietary Lucid Emacs (AKA XEmacs).
check out MetroX from MetroLink http://www.metrolink.com.
Although closed-source and non-free (both beer and software) it's damn good.
If you lika me like I lika you...
Too bad 9 is bankrupt. The i128 series was and is a great card.
-jwb
Hi all, If you want to run a Rev 4 under XFree86 I think you can use the T2R (Ticket to Ride) drivers. I dont think you can run games with it though. I havent done this but while I was working for NINE I heard this was possible. Since the Rev 4 is based on the T2R chip there isnt a problem. However, there is no accelerated 3d. I have used there beta product and even got it running under Linux and have run Q3 for the Rev 4. Hey, its not 3dfx but that is more a function of the hardware than the software. I think Xi has a pretty good product personally. -Thanks and happy new year, -Graphicsboy (xNiner)
I finally got in touch with my inner child...he's a little shit.
Currently, the utah GLX project (glx.on.openprojects.net) has GLX support from Matrox G200 and G400 cards, ATI RagePro (and derivatieves), and some (not in the main source t ree) support for S3 virge cards.
0 0_Linux.htm )
The speed of the project is amazing - after gX00 support was implemented, they got the ATI driver running in under a month.
It's completely open source, and the only thing thats stops cards from being supported is the availibility of documentation. I'd rather see card manufacturers support this effort (some have - Matrox has a press release out touting the success of GLX and of opening their card specs- http://matrox.com/mga/press_room/lat_press_rel/G4
Last I heard Dirk was still working for SuSE. At least, that's what it says here.
Chris
San Francisco values: compassion, tolerance, respect, intelligence
In my experience, any time you have comparable open source and closed source software, the open source code will be of higher quality. Also in my experience, it's rare that any niche where no free packages exist stays that way for long (Though there are exceptions.)
My philosophy is simple. I buy hardware to which free drivers are available. I do not buy hardware for which I'd have to pay extra for drivers for my OS. If a hardware manufacturer wants my money, they damn well better make their specs available. Most of the top-of-the-line hardware manufacturers are starting to realize this, so I'm not hurting for choices (I hope to pick up a Matrox G400 next. :-)
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
Congratulations - you wanted Linux to be popular? Well know it is, and the rules are going to change. All this "free stuff" is slowly going to start going away ...
*sigh*
When are all you neophytes going to learn? Free, as RMS has explained a billion times, refers to the freedom to make changes to software as the user sees fit. It does not refer to the cost of sofware. You know, the old free speech vs free beer that RMS explains in the GPL. I suspect that you have never read the GPL or the voluminous debates regarding this distinction; or perhaps you have decided to ignore everything and disseminate your own FUD.
If companies release commercial software and allow users to modify the software, I'm sure RMS would not have any problems.
How you got moderated to insightful is beyond me. Ignorant would be more appropiate.
Hates people who have stupid little sigs
XiG has hired away four of Xfree's most proficient developers including Dirk.
...
I think something like that would be announced on the XFree86-devel list... (which hasn't happened.)
This is just a rumor.
This has been the reasons for the continued delays in the XF864.0 betas.
The reason why XFree86 is progressing somewhat slower than most other open source projects is, IMO, the fact that its development is too much closed up.
Subscription to the development list only after approval, no write access to the CVS trees,
In the long run, XFree86 makes it very very difficult for new developers to get in; any developer leaving for whatever reason can't be replaced as quickly as it works in other projects.
So, it looks like we'll all be using XiG sooner or later..
Definitely not. If XFree86 gets stalled, there will be a more open fork, even if I have to start it myself.
This message is provided under the terms outlined at http://www.bero.org/terms.html
It's that 64meg Ram free above what the OS takes that hurts. Granted, I've got it, but still, If I want to use up all my memory, I'll keep Win98.
-----------
"You can't shake the Devil's hand and say you're only kidding."
Have you ever tried to get X86 Solaris to work on a laptop and use the best graphic modes? If so, then you'll appreciate XiG drivers.
There's money to be made in supporting graphics cards and writing x-servers for intel unix platforms where business is done. Maybe not so many linux developers or gamers are interested in buying non-free x servers, but you can bet that there are enough people interested to keep them profitable.
I wouldn't be surprised to see some bundling agreements like redhat had with metro-X a while back...
It's a matter of time before we see PC software that comes on a bootable cd running linux that autodetects the hardware and just runs without the need to install or configure. I'd bet that a game developer trying to use this model would want to have the best/fastest drivers for graphics and would be interested in striking a deal with XiG.
It's not about the $99. It's the fact that I'd be willing to bet that all these cards shipped with Win9x drivers, and if they didn't I bet it's an easy, free download.
But if we want to use Linux, we're expected to pay $99 for the privilege of using the hardware that we own ? Ummmm... no.
I am careful to buy hardware that supports Linux because that's what I have to do right now. But in a perfect, or even a reasonable, world, I would buy the hardware that did the job for the best price, and just EXPECT that it supports Linux.
Right now, hardware manufacturers are only beginning to start hearing the message from their customers... 'We want to have a choice in operating systems, and fuck you if you're going to penalize us for not choosing to run Windows'. I look forward to the time when those $5 video cards that you can pick up at discount computer shows all have XF86 compatible drivers on their little CD.
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