True enough in _theory_ but apart from the core kernel (or the parts of the kernel that are sexy), I'm not so sure that this is true. I remember reading some stuff on lkml about the terrifyingly huge number of in-kernel drivers that are unmaintained and haven't been touched in aeons.
I understand the philosophical reasons for not wanting a binary blob (I'm a Linux power-user/semi-zealot after all) but I'm not convinced that NVIDIA gains anything from open sourcing their driver. Sorting out legacy applications like the beast that is X/Xorg is probably a bigger issue for the Linux community than taking on the burden of maintaining an Open Source NVIDIA driver. Again, look at how terrible the ATI OSS driver is. Another example, the Intel wireless driver (iwlwifi) can't do stable wireless-N. Yes, that's true. In 2012. Intel. One of the first big vendors to open-source their driver. One of the most used wireless card vendors in modern laptops can't do wireless-N. The advice on most forums: 1. echo "options iwlwifi 11n_disable=1" > /etc/modprobe.d/99-iwlwifi.conf 2. Reboot. P. -- Evolution (n): A hypothetical process whereby infinitely improbable events occur with alarming frequency, order arises from chaos, and no one is given credit. On 8 August 2012 00:49, [email protected] < [email protected]> wrote: > ** ...the two points with open source being that flaws are usually found > and patched swifter, and if you find a hole yourself you are not at the > mercy of a vendor to get it patched. Remember the GDI flaw? > > "Peter C. Ndikuwera" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Simon, >> >> Are you saying back door exploits don't exist in open-source? >> >> What about this infamous 64-bit kernel back door from 2010? >> >> >> http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/205867/linux_kernel_exploit_gives_hackers_a_back_door.html?tk=hp_new >> >> And this is the KERNEL which has thousands and thousands of eyes looking >> at it. >> >> Or if you want device driver based exploits, what about this one for VLAN >> be2net devices? be2net is the driver for the HP BladeServer's NIC. >> https://freecode.com/articles/ubuntu-new-linux-packages-fix-security-vulnerabilities-45. >> So, don't put NICs in our Blade Servers please! >> >> Or this exploit, which affects Android? >> http://git.zx2c4.com/CVE-2012-0056/. Guess we shouldn't put Linux on our >> phones and tablets.... Oh... wait... >> >> <grin> >> >> Peter >> >> >> -- >> Evolution (n): A hypothetical process whereby infinitely improbable >> events occur with alarming frequency, order arises from chaos, and no one >> is given credit. >> >> >> >> On 6 August 2012 18:51, Simon Vass <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Peter, >>> >>> >>> http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/NVIDIA-closes-hole-in-proprietary-Unix-driver-1660471.html >>> >>> How about not installing a back door exploit on my PC. Good enough >>> reason? ;-) >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Simon Vass >>> Managing Director >>> E-Tech Uganda Ltd >>> >>> http://www.etech.ug >>> Tel: +256 (0) 312260620 or (0) 312260621 >>> email: [email protected] >>> skype: e-techservicedesk >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Peter C. Ndikuwera" <[email protected]> >>> To: "Uganda Linux User Group" <[email protected]> >>> Sent: Sunday, 5 August, 2012 8:39:29 PM >>> Subject: Re: [LUG] John Carmack linux still not viable >>> >>> >>> Are OSS drivers really the problem/solution? >>> >>> Intel has had open source drivers, but their cards are C.R.A.P. at 3D >>> gaming. >>> >>> ATI has open source drivers that aren't universally loved because the >>> cards are good, but the drivers aren't. Even basic Compiz with an ATI card >>> was a plug-and-"pray" until recently. >>> >>> NVIDIA's binary blob may piss off Linus et al, yet they're by far the >>> best performing cards in "desktop" Linux. They keep up with all the ABI >>> breakages that kernel upgrades cause, release a decent tool, fully support >>> X's extensions such as RandR, etc. >>> >>> I don't think the Linux community has provided a good enough argument >>> for NVIDIA to bother (or risk) open sourcing their driver. >>> >>> P. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Evolution (n): A hypothetical process whereby infinitely improbable >>> events occur with alarming frequency, order arises from chaos, and no one >>> is given credit. >>> >>> >>> >>> On 5 August 2012 10:10, Simon Vass < [email protected] > wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> http://www.ubuntuvibes.com/2012/08/john-carmack-linux-is-still-not-viable.html >>> >>> Sad to see John and Id taking this route. I would rather he came out and >>> said something like, well it has not been easy, but now Steam is committed >>> we will redouble our efforts. >>> >>> Also I think the key is to improve the level and quality of OSS drivers >>> for Linux. Clearly truely oss drivers are much easier for everyone to >>> improve, just need to convince AMD and Nvidia of that fully. >>> >>> Simon Vass >>> Managing Director >>> E-Tech Uganda Ltd >>> >>> http://www.etech.ug >>> Tel: +256 (0) 312260620 or (0) 312260621 >>> email: [email protected] >>> skype: e-techservicedesk >>> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Kyle Spencer" < [email protected] > >>> To: "Uganda Linux User Group" < [email protected] > >>> Sent: Friday, 3 August, 2012 5:50:33 AM >>> Subject: Re: [LUG] Gabe Newell on Linux, Windows 8, and open ecosystems >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Here's a good follow up article about OpenGL vs. DirectX. Valve found >>> Linux/OpenGL currently outperforms Windows/DirectX in terms of FPS. >>> >>> >>> http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/08/02/1738229/is-it-time-for-an-opengl-gaming-revolution >>> >>> And here's a blog post by an Intel dev who took part in the recent >>> Valve/Intel collaboration. >>> >>> >>> http://www.paranormal-entertainment.com/idr/blog/posts/2012-07-19T18%3A54%3A37Z-The_zombies_cometh/ >>> On Jul 26, 2012 7:34 PM, "sanga collins" < [email protected] > >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> I never thought about that, but it is the TRUTH. As an avid gamer i >>> guess ill have to stick with win7 for the next decade or so until some >>> serious games show up on the linux version of steam >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 10:37 AM, Kyle Spencer < [email protected] > >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Very interesting article where Gabe Newell talks about how damaging >>> Windows 8 could be for the PC market and why they (Valve) are persuing >>> Linux and open ecosystems. >>> >>> http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18996377 >>> _______________________________________________ >>> The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug >>> >>> Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: >>> [email protected] >>> Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug >>> To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug >>> >>> The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: >>> http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in >>> any way. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Sanga M. Collins >>> Network Engineering >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> Google Voice: (954) 324-1365 >>> E- fax: (435) 578 7411 >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug >>> >>> Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: >>> [email protected] >>> Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug >>> To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug >>> >>> The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: >>> http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in >>> any way. >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug >>> >>> Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: >>> [email protected] >>> Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug >>> To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug >>> >>> The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: >>> http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in >>> any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug >>> >>> Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: >>> [email protected] >>> Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug >>> To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug >>> >>> The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: >>> http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in >>> any way. >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug >>> >>> Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: >>> [email protected] >>> Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug >>> To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug >>> >>> The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: >>> http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in >>> any way. >>> _______________________________________________ >>> The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug >>> >>> Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: >>> [email protected] >>> Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug >>> To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug >>> >>> The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: >>> http://www.infocom.co.ug/ >>> >>> The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including >>> attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in >>> any way. >>> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug > > Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: > [email protected] > Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug > To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug > > The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: > http://www.infocom.co.ug/ > > The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including > attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in > any way. >
_______________________________________________ The Uganda Linux User Group: http://linux.or.ug Send messages to this mailing list by addressing e-mails to: [email protected] Mailing list archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Mailing list settings: http://kym.net/mailman/listinfo/lug To unsubscribe: http://kym.net/mailman/options/lug The Uganda LUG mailing list is generously hosted by INFOCOM: http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The mailing list host is not responsible for them in any way.
