--- Arun Sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I just went through the process of installing
> XFree86 from source (~ 40 Megs
> download!) on my FreeBSD box. Here's roughly what I
> had to do:
>
> XFree86 -configure
> cp /root/XF*.new /etc/X11
> vi /etc/X11/XF*config
>
> - Edit the monitor section: add modes, hsync, vsync
> - Edit the screen section: change the depth,
> resolutions etc
>
> xf86config was no good - it said my card was
> unsupported and dropped me
> into 640x480 with the vga driver instead of the
> rendition(my chipset)
> driver.
>
> End result: My card (Diamond stealth S 220) is still
> unaccelerated, though
> there is some alpha code to do acceleration. No
> other visible change.
> Configuration was flaky as described above.
>
> For the non-adventurous to somewhat adventurous
> people, wait till your
> favorite distribution puts it on a CD.
>
> -Arun
>
I think u found it favourable to ignore the various
features that come with XFree86 4.0:
1. Multi-Head
2. Xinerama
3. 3D acceleration using DRI
3.1. games!!!
3.2. CAD/CAM apps.
3.3. the possibility of linux being used on desktops
3.4. faster access to the card.
4. Modular Server
5. Automatic detection of monitor using the DDC (still
buggy)
6. More chipsets supported, especially u're Sis 6215,
and 6326.
7. faster server startup
8. automatic MTRR setting, for faster performance on
PII and greater.
This is my own list. I think u'll find a more
exhaustive list in the release notes. It may not be
much for most of the admins out there, but for layman
home users, and some graphics guys, its a boon!
And as for xf86config, there seems to be a wrong Cards
file shipped with the tar balls. My card(Voodoo
Banshee) was listed in it in 3.9.16 thru 3.9.18, but
isn't on the list now. So, u cannot blame the XFree86
project for this. some chap must have commited a
mistake. I personally feel that XFree86 4.0 make a
full circle as compared to windoze. Now, i feel Linux
can have a chance on the desktop. the DRI
architecture, provides for a generic architecture, for
which drivers can be written. Precision Insight is
doing a gr8 job in this area. I think XFree86 is the
most under appreciated Open Source Project! They're
marvelous guys, believe me! a bugs here and there
should be expected sometimes...
One step towards World Domination - Nearer every
second!
Nikhil.
IGNULUG-HYD.
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