Re: [gentoo-amd64] Re: URGENT: No more fonts after xorg changes

[Neil Bothwick <neil@digimed.co.uk>]

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On Sun, 3 Dec 2006 07:32:23 -0600, Boyd Stephen Smith Jr. wrote:

> > That leaves Nvidia two choices, distribute closed source drivers for
> > Linux, or remove that code from the Linux drivers  
> 
> ...or both (release a "free" version and a "full" version), or release 

They'd probably argue that would be extra work.

> specs so we can write our own drivers (we don't need to know anything 
> patentable or even trade-secret-able, just how to talk to the hardware)
> or a half-dozen other options.

Haven't they done that already? It's just that this doesn't work with
3D, which is tied into the proprietary code. Without knowing the details,
which would require an NDA and then not being able to discuss this,
there's no way of knowing how closely the 3D stuff is tied into the
proprietary code.

> There's no duality here, just nvidious 
> deciding to only provide shackles (free of charge, woohoo!) and
> "everyone" deciding to put them on.

I must admit, I don't feel shackled. I know that the code is non-free (as
in OSS, although it is freely distributable) and made my choice to use
it. The key is that I have the choice, and as long as I do, I'm still
free.

> NB: I use the nvidia driver; I don't like it, but I do use it since I
> do occationally play games that require accelerated 3d.

So use a different make of card that provides equivalent performance with
a free driver.


-- 
Neil Bothwick

Stop tagline theft! Copyright your tagline (c)

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