On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:41:36 +1200 Nick Rout <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:32:02 +1200 > Steve Holdoway wrote: > > > ...should stop a few when it comes to pass. > > > > Steve > > > > http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/08/02/32OPcurve_1.html > > > > "Lastly, and remember you heard it here, AMD is strongly considering > > open-sourcing at least a functional subset of ATIs graphics drivers. Its > > time for X Window System, OpenGL, and client virtualization for which ATI > > binary drivers arent available to escape the ghetto of the 1980s-era > > framebuffer. And what a boon for PR. If AMDs graphics cards were the only > > ones with open device drivers, it might affect a buying decision or two." > > Beware: VIA have opened drivers for their unichrome mpeg2 decoding > graphics chipset from time to time, but frankly the results have been > appalling. Most of the development has still been done by the guys in > the unichrome and openchrome projects, and gradually merged into xorg. > Now that chipset is being replaced with one that does mpeg4 decoding as > well as mpeg2, and drivers for that will probably be done about the time > they introduce that chipset's successors. > > People don't just want advanced graphics chipsets to work in 2d, they > also want 3d acceleration and mpeg2 decoding and whatever else the > chipset is capable of. > > I hope AMD/ATi do not follow VIA's example. If they do it well, this is > very good news indeed. > > -- > Nick Rout <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I hope so too. Given that these drivers are currently being out-performed hand over fist by nVidia atm, it may be their salvation. Well ok, I'm exaggerating! Intel have also open sourced/announced the drivers for the i985 ( may have got the model wrong ) today. Looking good all round really. Steve
