[Leaplist] Blame nVidia by default (NOT!) -- WAS: Latest Ubuntu version 8.10

[Bryan J. Smith]

Derek Konigsberg <octo at logicprobe.org> wrote:
> Well, looks like the discussion thread on my laptop got
> updated:
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=6194853 
> Apparently its a "known bug at release time" with
> the wireless chipset driver.  So I'll try the suggested
> fix tonight, and hope it goes well.

One thing I do tire of is the "blame nVidia by default"
non-sense.  Especially when it comes to their platform
chipsets (nForce) where they've been completely open
and GPL, largely because they have a huge amount of the
workstation and AMD server pie.  They minimize changes and
maximize backward compatibility, even for new designs.

Intel pushes features at their semiconductor unit, doesn't
even get the Windows drivers correct (as most have been
following the BluRay details can attest to), because they
change things on-a-whim.  And that means Intel's own Linux
team is scrambling just to get the tech specs and a basic
driver before release.

On the GPU end, when it comes to basic desktops, most Intel
GPUs "do the job" and they don't dork with a lot.  You're just
using the standard VGA, DVI, etc... output from yesteryear.
If you happen to get a brand new Intel GPU, it may take a
few releases and maybe your video out doesn't work.  Oh well,
people survive on desktops.

Now when it comes to notebooks, as I recently stated internally
at my Linux employer, I have _yet_ to have an Intel chipset/GPU
notebook that I did _not_ want to throw up against the wall,
including my company issued Lenovo T60.  Suspend issues,
WLAN complications, Ethernet PHY communication non-sense, and
-- God help me -- if I want to actually use a non-standard
output.  That has driven me up-the-wall continually.

At least nVidia goes out-of-its-way to make sure its OEMs actually
take care of using reference support, so _both_ Windows _and_
Linux drivers work with _full_ features.  And, ironically enough,
I've noted even the "vesa" driver with nVidia GPUs seem to 
_outperform_ Intel's accelerated drivers at various 2D options.
I don't know how many times I have to point out that ATI's and
nVidia's "kernel memory driver" are a result of Intel's
architecture (which is still a "trade secret") and not "open
source."  Intel performance still sucks under Linux as well as
a result, and they keep "tip toe'ing" around an open source
implementation.

That's why I still buy nVidia, or at least Intel chipset with
nVidia GPU.  Even some of my fellow consultants at our Linux
employer agree, Intel's GPU support absolutely stinks on
notebooks.  I don't believe this is remotely an Intel effort
issue, but an Intel focus issue at design/semiconductor level.
They are well over 90% Windows-centric, especially the low-margin,
high-volume, sub-$500 desktop.  Until they "get their act
together" on this, I'll still buy nVidia.

-- Bryan

P.S.  It seems my early issues with the Intel 5100AGN are no
longer issues, and it's working in Linux (both 32-bit and
64-bit).  I'm still having troubles in Vista 64-bit though.
I've about "given up" on getting support out of Gateway,
and they keep telling me it's supported through "Geek Squad"
(sigh).



-- 
Bryan J Smith          Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org    http://www.linkedin.com/in/bjsmith
--------------------------------------------------------
I don't have a "favorite Linux distro."  I use, develop
and support community efforts, often built around Linux.
Technology and solutions are my focus, not dragging in
assumptions, marketing and other concepts which dominate
non-community developed software, which I left long ago.




-- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.