On Monday, 30 בApril 2007 11:10, Ohad Lutzky wrote:
> I see you haven't tried Ubuntu Feisty yet... it automatically detects
> those cards (at least nVidia, from my experience), warns about the
> drivers being properietary, asks if you want to install them anyway,
> and goes ahead to install... :)
Yes, I was aware of this fact when I replied about the Nvidia/ATI
situation. It's good to have these wizards to help you out from
a tough place. But we should not forget the real questions:
- In two years the vendor would be several hardware generations
ahead. Would they still support the driver for your (than old)
hardware? If not, how would you upgrade your system to the
next (or next-next) version?
- Many times it further limit your other hardware choices. E.g:
You want to move a graphics card from 32bit system to 64bit system.
Or from Intel to PPC. Does the vendor provides drivers for all
your needs?
- And it also limits your software choices. E.g: you need to use
Ubuntu (it's not a bad choice, it's just an example of a limitation).
To take this to a bigger context, that's exactly like Firefox helps
you install Flash plugin automatically. It's good to have this wizard
to ease the pain, but it involves the same problems:
- Would the vendor (Macromedia, now Adobe) release the versions
you need (Only lately we got Flash-9).
- Would it limit my hardware choices? (search the archives for zillion
questions regarding 64bits).
- Would it limit my software choices? Hmmm... and what if I prefer konqi
or epiphany? (yes, I know konqi can locate and use Mozilla plugins...)
In short, all these Aspirin pain relievers are good, as long as it's clear
they don't solve the real problems.
If we have a choice (e.g: when planning before we buy hardware), it's
better IMO to avoid Aspirin-invoking choices.
Bye,
--
Oron Peled Voice/Fax: +972-4-8228492
[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.actcom.co.il/~oron
ICQ UIN: 16527398
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."
-- Isaac Asimov
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