NVIDIA driver *taints* kernel???

[Jonathan Berry]

On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 18:51:47 -0500, Sam Varshavchik
<mrsam at courier-mta.com> wrote:
> Guy Fraser writes:
> > On Tue, 2005-18-01 at 21:37 -0500, Sam Varshavchik wrote:
> >> There are many graphics cards with reliable, open source, native x.org
> >> drivers.  I suggest that you pick one, and support the vendors that support
> >> open source.
> >>
> > Again you are so wrong.
> 
> What's wrong with supporting vendors that support open source?

Nothing.  But as Paul pointed out, ATi does not support open source either.

[snip]
> Well, these closed source drivers may be there today.  Will they be there
> tomorrow?  When a new kernel comes out, is there any chance that NVidia
> might change their mind, decide not to invest any more resources into
> support AMD64, and stop providing bug fixes and updates?

This is always possible.  Of course, you could also give this argument
for Windows.  They could decide not to support x64, or Longhron, or
other Windows updates.  This, of course, would be unthinkable, and
yes, dropping Linux support would be *much* more likely, but one can
still make the argument.  One could also argue that nVidia could
decide to open source their drivers.  Again, not very likely, but it
is possible.  Likewise, I think this is not very likely as long as
nVidia sees they can make money by supporting Linux.  Anything can
change, so let's evaluate what we have now.  Right now, nVidia
provides good support for Linux with closed-source drivers.

> I know I won't have that problem with an open source driver.

But will that driver continue to support the video cards that are out
there?  Eventually ATi will stop making the chipsets that are
currently supported.  Then ATi and nVidia will truely be in the same
boat, and I think nVidia (right now) has the more stable Linux ship.

Probably the best thing we can do is support the video card companies
that support Linux at all.  Maybe if we show are support and are vocal
enough, they will open source their drivers.  At least they will
continue to support their products and give Linux the respect it
deserves as a viable operating system.  If we turn our backs on those
who try to support us, but do not give us exactly what we want, who
will benefit from that?

Jonathan