If Nvidia was forced to either reveal their "trade secrets" (i.e. IP that is valuable but not patentable) or not sell products in the Linux, or more importantly, Android Linux ecosystem.
I wonder if they'd find a way to open source them at that point? I bet they would.
Before Android, Linux didn't really have a big club to beat Nvidia with. If Linux et al went after them for infringement, Nvidia could just take their ball home and it'd be a much bigger loss for the Linux community than Nvidia.
But now with mobile being so important, could Android be used to force Nvidia to stop being douche bags and open up? Could it be that fiscal club of smiting?
Nvidia are the bad guys here, not Alax Cox nor the GPL.
But I'm torn because Nvidia is the only great solution for 3d on Linux right now. So my pragmatic self is screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Intel Ivy Bridge stuff is pretty awesome though, I use it more than the dedicated Nvidia gpu on my Clevo. I'm really hoping the next iteration of Intel GPUs makes dedicated support obsolete but it's just a dream;).
I'd say the most immediate change was the performance. Unity just performed horrifically for me before and I use fairly high end hardware (Intel i7 series processors, Nvidia GPUs, etc). That was a huge turn off.
I also found that the older Unity had all kinds of odd usability oddities and problems (sometimes various window management features didn't work, parts of unity would crash and I'd have to logout or reboot, etc).
So it was essentially a shuddering clusterfuck that actually impeded my work.
So far the new version is fast, just works and most importantly stays out of my way. Most of the time I don't see much OS UI, just my apps (which is how things should be IMO).
I think the key is creating/using a brand that isn't "Linux."
"Linux" is great but isn't a great name for a commercial product.
As nomadic suggested, Android is already widely accepted by consumers (and developers) and has fantastic brand awareness. That may be the key route to ending the Microsoft monopoly with an open source replacement.
I'm using the beta version of Ubuntu 12.10 and it's insanely great (to borrow a phrase). It's easy to use, has great hardware support (which would only be better with OEM involvement), big name software vendors are supporting it (Valve with Steam for Linux, etc).
Don't worry HTC, those Microsoft phones will get you back in action!
I've bought HTC phones exclusively since Android came out but I've grown tired of all the issues that popup. Plus HTC tends to be douchey about releasing source code and drivers, so my next phone will be from elsewhere.
Apple is in a distant second place in the smartphone market, acquiring Nokia wouldn't involve antitrust at all. Hell, even google could acquire Nokia without problems (because the Android industry is already very diverse).
I support Apple buying Nokia, only because it would fuck Microsoft over.
And fucking Microsoft over can only be a good thing for everyone.
Slashdot Mirror
Google + Samsung better be careful, I think Microsoft has business patents on that technique!
It's an interesting idea.
If Nvidia was forced to either reveal their "trade secrets" (i.e. IP that is valuable but not patentable) or not sell products in the Linux, or more importantly, Android Linux ecosystem.
I wonder if they'd find a way to open source them at that point? I bet they would.
Before Android, Linux didn't really have a big club to beat Nvidia with. If Linux et al went after them for infringement, Nvidia could just take their ball home and it'd be a much bigger loss for the Linux community than Nvidia.
But now with mobile being so important, could Android be used to force Nvidia to stop being douche bags and open up? Could it be that fiscal club of smiting?
The Ivy Bridge GPUs are pretty serious.
I agree but ultimately I want good 3d acceleration even if that means douche bags like Nvidia skate the license requirements.
Nvidia are the bad guys here, not Alax Cox nor the GPL.
But I'm torn because Nvidia is the only great solution for 3d on Linux right now. So my pragmatic self is screaming "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Intel Ivy Bridge stuff is pretty awesome though, I use it more than the dedicated Nvidia gpu on my Clevo. I'm really hoping the next iteration of Intel GPUs makes dedicated support obsolete but it's just a dream ;).
LOL writing perl scripts
I haven't noticed anything but my VM usage is pretty light (I occasionally fire up a Windows VM)
Well he's asking about pretty obscure configurations (dual video card and 4 monitors) and being a huge douche about it.
Douche Shill
Actually, I haven't tried with multiple monitors. I just use one big monitor.
I use a dell 30" monitor running at 2560x1600
I'd say the most immediate change was the performance. Unity just performed horrifically for me before and I use fairly high end hardware (Intel i7 series processors, Nvidia GPUs, etc). That was a huge turn off.
I also found that the older Unity had all kinds of odd usability oddities and problems (sometimes various window management features didn't work, parts of unity would crash and I'd have to logout or reboot, etc).
So it was essentially a shuddering clusterfuck that actually impeded my work.
So far the new version is fast, just works and most importantly stays out of my way. Most of the time I don't see much OS UI, just my apps (which is how things should be IMO).
I was a unity hater as well. But 12.10's Unity interface is pretty fantastic (I've been running the beta for a little over a week).
Sinofsky
I think the key is creating/using a brand that isn't "Linux."
"Linux" is great but isn't a great name for a commercial product.
As nomadic suggested, Android is already widely accepted by consumers (and developers) and has fantastic brand awareness. That may be the key route to ending the Microsoft monopoly with an open source replacement.
And it's still Linux on the desktop! :)
I wish to god they'd get into bed with Canonical.
I'm using the beta version of Ubuntu 12.10 and it's insanely great (to borrow a phrase). It's easy to use, has great hardware support (which would only be better with OEM involvement), big name software vendors are supporting it (Valve with Steam for Linux, etc).
This is like some kind of awesome recursive meme.
Want to guess how much money they've made off the Xboxen?
Microsoft is a software development and licensing company.
At least that's where all the money comes from. The Devices and Services aspects are huge money losing hobbies they've started.
I hope this means the end is near.
Android phones were buggy crap, so you're buying a microsoft, phone?
Really? I'm laughing pretty hard right now, so it's difficult to continue.
Don't worry HTC, those Microsoft phones will get you back in action!
I've bought HTC phones exclusively since Android came out but I've grown tired of all the issues that popup. Plus HTC tends to be douchey about releasing source code and drivers, so my next phone will be from elsewhere.
I think you mean "Wifi password protects YOU!"
In Soviet Russia, Wifi is spelled W-Ifi!
To better represent the struggle of the proletariat against the bourgeoisie.
Apple is in a distant second place in the smartphone market, acquiring Nokia wouldn't involve antitrust at all. Hell, even google could acquire Nokia without problems (because the Android industry is already very diverse).
I support Apple buying Nokia, only because it would fuck Microsoft over.
And fucking Microsoft over can only be a good thing for everyone.
I call dibs on **ckme
RIM is hiring again?