I have to admit that I am glad to see him leave Sun. I am developing an Open Source POS system and originally I was using MySQL as the database. I sent an email to MySQL about distribution questions and was then contacted by different sales people trying to talk me out of Open Sourcing my project. "Do you really want you competitors to have your POS code"... "How are you going make money off of Open Source". I felt bullied.
Understand that MySQL is only GPL (Free) if everything touching it is also GPL (or internal use only). If we distribute it with MySQL and make it commercial, we need to pay yearly for MySQL ($$$). That is understood when dealing with GPL software. Just don't try and talk me out of GPL'ing my code to line your pockets. Business models like this hurt the Open Source community and don't promote Open Source software!
Honestly, it really is quite a bit of money. I, for one, will probably wait until the bugs are worked out before considering it. If the PS3 can really become a Media Center, then I will gladly pay $600 for it. But I have pretty high standards for what a Media Center needs to be in my house.
See, I have about every electronic toy I have ever wanted. My cell phone is a PPC-6700 PDA phone with unlimited EV-DO (higher speed internet). I own several laptops. I have a PSP which I game with and also a couple of GP2X's. I usually carry around a Sharp Zaurus and since I do the conversions for Dynamism, I have every model released in the past 3 years. I have a GameCube, but it is mostly for my daughter's use. I have multiple Palm and WinCE PDAs and HPCs. I am a typical geek with a pretty tightly integrated household. For me, a true Media Center would need to integrate with not only my TV, but most of my devices on-and-off the road.
I should be able to tap into it with my phone, laptop or any Internet based device to watch movies or TV when on the road or even on the can [think slingbox]. It should be able to record TV for viewing and transfer them to any media device (PDA, Laptop, PSP, etc...). I should be able to plug any media card or svideo device so I can view pictures and movies without needing to worry about interfacing my camera, camcorder, etc... hell, just give me a USB port that will accept a card reader! I should be able to game with great graphics, play older games, chat with other players/people via voice or text and never need to leave the console. It should have the ability to do VOIP with optional video. I should be able to check the weather, or any web page, without getting off the couch. In other words, it should be the center of my home AND all my devices.
Some people may think these requirements are a bit too steep for one console, but they aren't. You can easily build a small form factor computer that will do all this for under $600. It may not have Blue-Ray or the gaming ability of the PS3, but it will be a media center. With Sony buying in high quantities with the vast amount of programmers at their disposal, the PS3 should/may be.
My point?! They have the hardware to do all of these things, but will they program it to? I believe that the PS3 may be what I am looking for, but I am pretty sure that many features will be missing at launch. Sony will use the PS3 to try and pimp some of their proprietary formats, but they will improve it over time. Will it interface with many of the devices in my home? I really don't know the answer, but it will need to in order to be a media center in my house. And it could be! If it is, then I will pay $600 for it... easily!
I worked for a large semiconductor's IT department in `98-`03. I thought that since I was getting paid below average, worked hard and had several large responsibilities, I was safe and secure. Like many companies, cut-backs and layoffs hit IT. After 6 layoffs, I was finally let go in the 7th. Shortly after I found that much of their IT was moved off-shore.
I moved to contracting for the larger paycheck and dabbled with full-time positions. With the contracts, I was often hired to cover a long term employee who was "let go" due to their larger salary. Even though I was being paid more then the older employee, my pay came from a project budget. With the "perm" positions, I was often hired at a lower pay after they let a long term employee walk due to their high salary.
I don't believe that job security really exists anymore. Everything is a numbers game. We, in the IT job market, are finding ourselves in a congested job market. It is too easy for a company to replace us, no matter how "valuable" we feel/know we are to the company since skilled replacements are "nipping at our heals" around every turn. Think of it as placing your hand in a bucket of water and then pulling it out quickly; the it takes time for the water to level off from where your hand was, but you soon find that there are no traces of your hand ever being there.
I did finally settle into a full time position with a company that seems to fit the times better. With a few exceptions, everyone is in a lateral position. They don't promote with titles; just raises. Your "value" is based on your knowledge, performance, skill and willingness to share. "Cowboys" are shunned and team players are valued. I still don't believe that job security exists in this day-and-age, but if I work hard, do what is asked of me, accept new tasks that can promote my knowledge, follow through on what I say I will do and try and not cause too much grief, I should be alright. I have a good team, we have fun during the day and my bosses can rely on me. This is about the most secure you can hope for these days.
OK. When andLinux (http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/AndLinux) was released to the public over a week ago, Slashdot flagged it as uninteresting and ignored the news. andLinux is a Debian based Linux distribution that runs in Windows. It uses CoLinux, Xming and several other technologies to work.
So, is it that LordDavon (yes, me!) is just a john-q-public open source developer and doesn't matter... but if Big Blue does something similar they matter!? Is it that Dynamism is supporting andLinux and not IBM? I really am a bit pissed on this one! I really believed that Slashdot would want to promote a project made for the public, by the public. I guess I need to try and make money off of Linux for them to care.
Honestly, I just don't know. What I do know is that I don't need a screensaver to run Linux in Windows, I was first and Slashdot and IBM can kiss my ass!
Actually, I know Kevin and he is anything but a dick. He knows that he did some stupid things when he was younger, but it was ages ago. Talking to Kevin, he rarely brings up "those days". If you ask him about "those days", he simply says that he made mistakes, did his time and is getting on with his life. He owns a security company now, does lectures and is happy with his family (girlfriend/step-kid).
It is amazing how people who don't know him call him names and mock/criticize those who show interest in his past. If these people really cared as little as they try to portray, they wouldn't bother posting. It is most likely they are trying to hide a feeling of inferiority
Don't forget Mepis...
on
KDE 3.4 Released
·
· Score: 5, Informative
Let's not forget Mepis. Another KDE based distro as well and getting much press as of late.
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=me pi s
Being one who ports applications for Linux PDA's, I disagree. I have worked with many applications that only referenced that they were under the GPL. They did not include it.
For more than one year, the gpl-violations.org project tries to bring vendors who use GPL licensed software in their products into license compliance. To achieve this goal, it uses a number of measures, ranging from warning letters over public documentation of GPL violations, up to legal proceedings. In this year, the project managed to conclude more than 25 amicable agreements, two preliminary injunctions and one court order.
This really could have a reverse affect. What I do not see here is "We try to work with companies to find a suitable path to bring them into GPL compliance". What I do see is the GPL version of scare tactics and lawsuits.
Most companies, especially the smaller companies, may be trying to be in compliance. They may not know how. This effort is most likely going to scare many companies off by showing how successful companies have tried to work with OSS and wound up being stuck in legal battles. The GPL is confusing for many and is mostly understood by word-of-mouth and/or other peoples confused interpretation. Not every company has a legal department to assist.
Let us take Sveasoft for example. Many people are outraged by the companies refusal to freely distribute (paid subscription required) their binaries and often scream "GPL VIOLATION". They do have their sources available for the public. According to Sveasoft, as well as my understanding, the GPL restricts the sources and not the binaries to be freely available.
A "strong arm" is not what Linux needs to assist with wide spread adoption. A community of people to assist with compliance is.
Please note that the Zaurus C3000 is shipped in a hybrid EnglishJapanese state to allow for the translation software to work. The ability to switch to a pure English translation is done by typing the following two commands into the terminal:
su reconv
After which the unit will reboot and be in an English only mode (Japanese Inputs remove, Input switching removed, Larger fonts, etc...).
Typing the two commands again will revert the unit back into hybrid mode to allow for the translation software to work again.
As well, please see the following forum post at ZaurusUserGroup for more information about the C3000 and its Issues/Solutions:
Sharp denied the rumor about the release in Q12003. It was started by a Japanese reporter who was collecting little tidbits and thought they all pointed to the release.
I have spoken with Sharp USA about this. They are going to test the US market interest in January, but do not know if there will be a release. They did tell me that if there was a release, it would be after Q1.
I do not think it does compare. The PocketPC has transcribe and that is an excellent product. The Palm has graphiti (sp?) and that is also good. The Zaurus has a decent handwriting tool, but it fails to compete with the above two. Yet, the keyboard is much easier to use then any handwriting tool (IMHO).
This is Linux and new applications are coming out every day for it.
Thank you/.'ers for the interest in the project. We have spent many long nights converting this. For those that have questions on it, please feel free to reply to this or the nvmax.com posting and I will answer as best as I can.
Please understand that my efforts have been in the conversion and I have not dedicated as much time into using the unit, but for the few things that I have used it for... it is remarkable.
No. That really defeats the idea behind Linux. With Linux, take action in your own hands and get the support added for that hardware!
When I purchased my Hercules Game Theater XP, there wasn't any Linux support. Yes, there was a CS46xx module, but it didn't work with the GTXP. I read the source and found Thomas Woller's email address and fired him off an email. Before I knew it I was asked what I would like supported from my device and asked to write up some information for Thomas to present to Cirrus Logic. Emails started to fly and Thomas started to send me drivers to test on my machine, which I would test and send him back my results. I was being placed into mailings with Thomas and many other developers including Alan Cox. It really was an amazing experience and gives you the true meaning of Open Source.
For a small part of time I was making a difference. I was taking what I needed but also giving it to thousands of others. Now there is a little part of me in every Linux kernel. I did not have to be a big programmer, just needed to contribute.
Specifically, it appears that you are providing instructions for converting Mac OS X 10.1 update Software to a full install version of Mac OS X from your web site in violation of the Copyright Act and in violation of your software license agreement with Apple.
So, I do not own a copy of Mac OS X. So therefor I would not be violating any license agreement.
You should be aware that Apple has never authorized you modify the Software.
I did not see the web site state that they modified any software. Deleting a file is something that Apple gave them rights to do when they placed a trashcan on their desktop.
Additionally, Apple's license agreement, which you accepted upon purchasing a copy of the Software, specifically prohibits you from copying, decompiling, reverse engineering, disassembling, modifying or creating derivative works of the Software.
Again, not something the site told anyone to do. Deleting a file is not copying, decompiling, reverse engineering, disassembling, modifying or creating derivative works of the Software.
Oh man. It is shaky ground. I can fully understand the web site removing the instructions, but their response was pretty weak. If they needed leagal help, they should have asked Slashdot. They have many lawyers that could have assisted in a response.
Yes I do remember OS/2. I used it to run multiple Remote Access sessions. It was a wonderful OS. They supported Windows differently. OS/2 had a FULL installation of Windows in it and it ran it more in a virtual machine. More like running Windows in VMWare then running an application in Wine. OS/2 also licensed Windows from Microsoft making them pay royalties to Microsoft for every copy sold. This was not exactly going to put the software giant out of business now is it?!
Transgaming's WineX does not use Windows to run Windows applications. It comes with its own compatible set of.dll's that it runs. It can use Windows.dll's, but they are not provided.
OS/2 did not provide a way to remove Windows from you system... it provided a new way of running Windows. Wine allows you to eliminate Windows, while still supporting Windows software.
The problem with Everquest is the way they coded the DirectX 6 API. It uses a mode that WineX does not support and according to what I read, is very hard to support. This feature no longer exists in DirectX 8 and it should actually make Everquest easier to support, according to Transgaming.
Not to start another flame war, but this is something that Linux needs. WineX is an excellent piece of software and achievement!
Many people complain that there should be a Linux port and not to use emulation software. Wine is not an emulator and provides a set of APIs for cross platform conformity. This makes it possible for those companies that want a Linux port but do not have the resources to create a Linux port to program for these APIs in their Windows version making the software Linux/Mac/BeOS/etc compatible. This also allows for a single executable to be maintained instead of several versions.
It also allows those of use that dual boot to have one less application to switch to Windows for. Once we no longer dual boot and Windows leaves our hard drives, then the Linux ports will come as Linux will be more of a mainstream OS.
No, this is not better then a native Linux port, but it IS the next best thing!
There is one thing that we all forgot about when people mention driver optimizations... that is driver support for older hardware. Put aside the fact that they degrade quality for the sake of performance; would we still accept ATI for optimizing drivers if they didn't? I don't think so.
Comparing ATI to nVidia, the driver support that nVidia gives is by far superior. The reason; I can still download an optimized driver that will boost my 3 year old video card in the newest game engines! That is why I stay with nVidia's video cards. I know that the $300 card I purchase today will work in the newest operating systems and games tomorrow. It will also have an optimized driver set to get me the best out of the current selection of games, OS's and applications.
If ATI adopted this model, I could accept their optimizations, but since they haven't... I can't. I do not believe that an ATI card purchased today will be usefull in my system 2 years from now. Any optimizations will be lost in the newer games and my "GeForce3 Killer", however faster today, will lag far behind the Geforce3.
Let us also not forget Linux drivers! Never forget the Linux drivers!
Finally there may be a distro that can capture the gamer and the techie. I hate dual booting! This could be the answer I have been looking for. I agree that I am not too hot on the Mandrake distro, but this does have potential.
This also look excellent. I am going to read more into it. It looks as though there is pleanty of information on this site. Thank you so much for this link.
Slashdot Mirror
I have to admit that I am glad to see him leave Sun. I am developing an Open Source POS system and originally I was using MySQL as the database. I sent an email to MySQL about distribution questions and was then contacted by different sales people trying to talk me out of Open Sourcing my project. "Do you really want you competitors to have your POS code"... "How are you going make money off of Open Source". I felt bullied.
Understand that MySQL is only GPL (Free) if everything touching it is also GPL (or internal use only). If we distribute it with MySQL and make it commercial, we need to pay yearly for MySQL ($$$). That is understood when dealing with GPL software. Just don't try and talk me out of GPL'ing my code to line your pockets. Business models like this hurt the Open Source community and don't promote Open Source software!
Honestly, it really is quite a bit of money. I, for one, will probably wait until the bugs are worked out before considering it. If the PS3 can really become a Media Center, then I will gladly pay $600 for it. But I have pretty high standards for what a Media Center needs to be in my house.
See, I have about every electronic toy I have ever wanted. My cell phone is a PPC-6700 PDA phone with unlimited EV-DO (higher speed internet). I own several laptops. I have a PSP which I game with and also a couple of GP2X's. I usually carry around a Sharp Zaurus and since I do the conversions for Dynamism, I have every model released in the past 3 years. I have a GameCube, but it is mostly for my daughter's use. I have multiple Palm and WinCE PDAs and HPCs. I am a typical geek with a pretty tightly integrated household. For me, a true Media Center would need to integrate with not only my TV, but most of my devices on-and-off the road.
I should be able to tap into it with my phone, laptop or any Internet based device to watch movies or TV when on the road or even on the can [think slingbox]. It should be able to record TV for viewing and transfer them to any media device (PDA, Laptop, PSP, etc...). I should be able to plug any media card or svideo device so I can view pictures and movies without needing to worry about interfacing my camera, camcorder, etc... hell, just give me a USB port that will accept a card reader! I should be able to game with great graphics, play older games, chat with other players/people via voice or text and never need to leave the console. It should have the ability to do VOIP with optional video. I should be able to check the weather, or any web page, without getting off the couch. In other words, it should be the center of my home AND all my devices.
Some people may think these requirements are a bit too steep for one console, but they aren't. You can easily build a small form factor computer that will do all this for under $600. It may not have Blue-Ray or the gaming ability of the PS3, but it will be a media center. With Sony buying in high quantities with the vast amount of programmers at their disposal, the PS3 should/may be.
My point?! They have the hardware to do all of these things, but will they program it to? I believe that the PS3 may be what I am looking for, but I am pretty sure that many features will be missing at launch. Sony will use the PS3 to try and pimp some of their proprietary formats, but they will improve it over time. Will it interface with many of the devices in my home? I really don't know the answer, but it will need to in order to be a media center in my house. And it could be! If it is, then I will pay $600 for it... easily!
LD
I worked for a large semiconductor's IT department in `98-`03. I thought that since I was getting paid below average, worked hard and had several large responsibilities, I was safe and secure. Like many companies, cut-backs and layoffs hit IT. After 6 layoffs, I was finally let go in the 7th. Shortly after I found that much of their IT was moved off-shore.
I moved to contracting for the larger paycheck and dabbled with full-time positions. With the contracts, I was often hired to cover a long term employee who was "let go" due to their larger salary. Even though I was being paid more then the older employee, my pay came from a project budget. With the "perm" positions, I was often hired at a lower pay after they let a long term employee walk due to their high salary.
I don't believe that job security really exists anymore. Everything is a numbers game. We, in the IT job market, are finding ourselves in a congested job market. It is too easy for a company to replace us, no matter how "valuable" we feel/know we are to the company since skilled replacements are "nipping at our heals" around every turn. Think of it as placing your hand in a bucket of water and then pulling it out quickly; the it takes time for the water to level off from where your hand was, but you soon find that there are no traces of your hand ever being there.
I did finally settle into a full time position with a company that seems to fit the times better. With a few exceptions, everyone is in a lateral position. They don't promote with titles; just raises. Your "value" is based on your knowledge, performance, skill and willingness to share. "Cowboys" are shunned and team players are valued. I still don't believe that job security exists in this day-and-age, but if I work hard, do what is asked of me, accept new tasks that can promote my knowledge, follow through on what I say I will do and try and not cause too much grief, I should be alright. I have a good team, we have fun during the day and my bosses can rely on me. This is about the most secure you can hope for these days.
David
OK. When andLinux (http://wiki.gp2x.org/wiki/AndLinux) was released to the public over a week ago, Slashdot flagged it as uninteresting and ignored the news. andLinux is a Debian based Linux distribution that runs in Windows. It uses CoLinux, Xming and several other technologies to work.
So, is it that LordDavon (yes, me!) is just a john-q-public open source developer and doesn't matter... but if Big Blue does something similar they matter!? Is it that Dynamism is supporting andLinux and not IBM? I really am a bit pissed on this one! I really believed that Slashdot would want to promote a project made for the public, by the public. I guess I need to try and make money off of Linux for them to care.
Honestly, I just don't know. What I do know is that I don't need a screensaver to run Linux in Windows, I was first and Slashdot and IBM can kiss my ass!
granparent post was right, he's just a dick
Actually, I know Kevin and he is anything but a dick. He knows that he did some stupid things when he was younger, but it was ages ago. Talking to Kevin, he rarely brings up "those days". If you ask him about "those days", he simply says that he made mistakes, did his time and is getting on with his life. He owns a security company now, does lectures and is happy with his family (girlfriend/step-kid).
It is amazing how people who don't know him call him names and mock/criticize those who show interest in his past. If these people really cared as little as they try to portray, they wouldn't bother posting. It is most likely they are trying to hide a feeling of inferiority
Let's not forget Mepis. Another KDE based distro as well and getting much press as of late.
e pi s
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=m
Being one who ports applications for Linux PDA's, I disagree. I have worked with many applications that only referenced that they were under the GPL. They did not include it.
You are right. Yet, we don't know how many OSS embracing companies they scared off to get those agreements. I question the tactics.
Here is Sveasoft's wording:
c .p hp?t=4277
http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/viewtopi
This really could have a reverse affect. What I do not see here is "We try to work with companies to find a suitable path to bring them into GPL compliance". What I do see is the GPL version of scare tactics and lawsuits.
Most companies, especially the smaller companies, may be trying to be in compliance. They may not know how. This effort is most likely going to scare many companies off by showing how successful companies have tried to work with OSS and wound up being stuck in legal battles. The GPL is confusing for many and is mostly understood by word-of-mouth and/or other peoples confused interpretation. Not every company has a legal department to assist.
Let us take Sveasoft for example. Many people are outraged by the companies refusal to freely distribute (paid subscription required) their binaries and often scream "GPL VIOLATION". They do have their sources available for the public. According to Sveasoft, as well as my understanding, the GPL restricts the sources and not the binaries to be freely available.
A "strong arm" is not what Linux needs to assist with wide spread adoption. A community of people to assist with compliance is.
Please note that the Zaurus C3000 is shipped in a hybrid EnglishJapanese state to allow for the translation software to work. The ability to switch to a pure English translation is done by typing the following two commands into the terminal:
8 84 6
su
reconv
After which the unit will reboot and be in an English only mode (Japanese Inputs remove, Input switching removed, Larger fonts, etc...).
Typing the two commands again will revert the unit back into hybrid mode to allow for the translation software to work again.
As well, please see the following forum post at ZaurusUserGroup for more information about the C3000 and its Issues/Solutions:
http://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=
Sharp denied the rumor about the release in Q12003. It was started by a Japanese reporter who was collecting little tidbits and thought they all pointed to the release.
I have spoken with Sharp USA about this. They are going to test the US market interest in January, but do not know if there will be a release. They did tell me that if there was a release, it would be after Q1.
LD
it wouldn't be. Changing the locale settings only converts a portion of it. It gets you about 60% conversion. This is a 95% conversion.
This was also pointed out on zaurus.com.
LD
I do not think it does compare. The PocketPC has transcribe and that is an excellent product. The Palm has graphiti (sp?) and that is also good. The Zaurus has a decent handwriting tool, but it fails to compete with the above two. Yet, the keyboard is much easier to use then any handwriting tool (IMHO).
This is Linux and new applications are coming out every day for it.
LD
Thank you /.'ers for the interest in the project. We have spent many long nights converting this. For those that have questions on it, please feel free to reply to this or the nvmax.com posting and I will answer as best as I can.
Please understand that my efforts have been in the conversion and I have not dedicated as much time into using the unit, but for the few things that I have used it for... it is remarkable.
LD
No. That really defeats the idea behind Linux. With Linux, take action in your own hands and get the support added for that hardware!
When I purchased my Hercules Game Theater XP, there wasn't any Linux support. Yes, there was a CS46xx module, but it didn't work with the GTXP. I read the source and found Thomas Woller's email address and fired him off an email. Before I knew it I was asked what I would like supported from my device and asked to write up some information for Thomas to present to Cirrus Logic. Emails started to fly and Thomas started to send me drivers to test on my machine, which I would test and send him back my results. I was being placed into mailings with Thomas and many other developers including Alan Cox. It really was an amazing experience and gives you the true meaning of Open Source.
For a small part of time I was making a difference. I was taking what I needed but also giving it to thousands of others. Now there is a little part of me in every Linux kernel. I did not have to be a big programmer, just needed to contribute.
Specifically, it appears that you are providing instructions for converting Mac OS X 10.1 update Software to a full install version of Mac OS X from your web site in violation of the Copyright Act and in violation of your software license agreement with Apple.
So, I do not own a copy of Mac OS X. So therefor I would not be violating any license agreement.
You should be aware that Apple has never authorized you modify the Software.
I did not see the web site state that they modified any software. Deleting a file is something that Apple gave them rights to do when they placed a trashcan on their desktop.
Additionally, Apple's license agreement, which you accepted upon purchasing a copy of the Software, specifically prohibits you from copying, decompiling, reverse engineering, disassembling, modifying or creating derivative works of the Software.
Again, not something the site told anyone to do. Deleting a file is not copying, decompiling, reverse engineering, disassembling, modifying or creating derivative works of the Software.
Oh man. It is shaky ground. I can fully understand the web site removing the instructions, but their response was pretty weak. If they needed leagal help, they should have asked Slashdot. They have many lawyers that could have assisted in a response.
LD
Yes I do remember OS/2. I used it to run multiple Remote Access sessions. It was a wonderful OS. They supported Windows differently. OS/2 had a FULL installation of Windows in it and it ran it more in a virtual machine. More like running Windows in VMWare then running an application in Wine. OS/2 also licensed Windows from Microsoft making them pay royalties to Microsoft for every copy sold. This was not exactly going to put the software giant out of business now is it?!
.dll's that it runs. It can use Windows .dll's, but they are not provided.
Transgaming's WineX does not use Windows to run Windows applications. It comes with its own compatible set of
OS/2 did not provide a way to remove Windows from you system... it provided a new way of running Windows. Wine allows you to eliminate Windows, while still supporting Windows software.
The problem with Everquest is the way they coded the DirectX 6 API. It uses a mode that WineX does not support and according to what I read, is very hard to support. This feature no longer exists in DirectX 8 and it should actually make Everquest easier to support, according to Transgaming.
Not to start another flame war, but this is something that Linux needs. WineX is an excellent piece of software and achievement!
Many people complain that there should be a Linux port and not to use emulation software. Wine is not an emulator and provides a set of APIs for cross platform conformity. This makes it possible for those companies that want a Linux port but do not have the resources to create a Linux port to program for these APIs in their Windows version making the software Linux/Mac/BeOS/etc compatible. This also allows for a single executable to be maintained instead of several versions.
It also allows those of use that dual boot to have one less application to switch to Windows for. Once we no longer dual boot and Windows leaves our hard drives, then the Linux ports will come as Linux will be more of a mainstream OS.
No, this is not better then a native Linux port, but it IS the next best thing!
Wouldn't we just all flip out if in a months time the page had a picture of sonic giving birth to Bleem II.
LD
There is one thing that we all forgot about when people mention driver optimizations... that is driver support for older hardware. Put aside the fact that they degrade quality for the sake of performance; would we still accept ATI for optimizing drivers if they didn't? I don't think so.
Comparing ATI to nVidia, the driver support that nVidia gives is by far superior. The reason; I can still download an optimized driver that will boost my 3 year old video card in the newest game engines! That is why I stay with nVidia's video cards. I know that the $300 card I purchase today will work in the newest operating systems and games tomorrow. It will also have an optimized driver set to get me the best out of the current selection of games, OS's and applications.
If ATI adopted this model, I could accept their optimizations, but since they haven't... I can't. I do not believe that an ATI card purchased today will be usefull in my system 2 years from now. Any optimizations will be lost in the newer games and my "GeForce3 Killer", however faster today, will lag far behind the Geforce3.
Let us also not forget Linux drivers! Never forget the Linux drivers!
LD
Finally there may be a distro that can capture the gamer and the techie. I hate dual booting! This could be the answer I have been looking for. I agree that I am not too hot on the Mandrake distro, but this does have potential.
LD
Actually, my camera only cost $50 and works in Linux. It is an Intel Delux. Has excellent picture quality too.
LD
This also look excellent. I am going to read more into it. It looks as though there is pleanty of information on this site. Thank you so much for this link.