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).

Comments

GLX project pretty prolific....

[bbk]

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.

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/G40 0_Linux.htm )

Re:Expect More Of This ...

[Greyfox]

XIG's been up to their proprietary antics for years. I've heard horrible things about their support and software in previous /. stories. The only way you can expect a closed source package to survive is if 1) you offer considerably higher quality than any of the available free packages and 2) if you fill a niche where no free packages exist.

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. :-)

Not quite... (and the problem with XFree86).

[bero-rh]

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.