Linux, MacOSX (was Re: [oclug] (no subject))

[Tim Hosking]

On 8/22/02 7:22 PM, "Milan Budimirovic" <milan.budimirovic at sympatico.ca>
wrote:

> Tim Hosking wrote:
> 
>> Yes, in truth it is ATI who are to blame. The Radeon 8500 is not supported
>> in Linux. Xi Graphics provide a commercial replacement for XFree86 (see
>> <http://www.xig.com> ) with support, but it has been reported as being
>> rather buggy.
>> 
>> If you read the small print at <http://dri.sourceforge.net> you will find
>> that the Radeon driver is in fact for the R100 cards. They currently have
>> limited 3D support for the 7500, and none for the 8500. Even if they ever
>> get such support, they still will have to wait for support for the digital
>> video in/out. I may be wrong, but I don't think the TV tuner on the 8500 is
>> supported either.
>> 
>> My point is, if Linux does not provide the same degree of coverage for this
>> kind of hardware as Windows and OS/X, it will never attract new faces. We
>> can't just sit around and blame ATI - we need to court them.
> 
> No, we don't. We buy their competitors' products unless and until they
> smarten up. The "bottom line is the bottom line" motto cuts both ways. A
> hardware manufacturer who does not provide Linux drivers has not earned
> my business. Period. End of story.

Get real. Given the vast share of the desktop market enjoyed by Microsoft,
do you really think that a boycott by Linux users will carry an ounce of
weight with ATI? For them it would simply reinforce their perception of
Linux users as a small bunch of leftist whackos. Like I tell my kids,
sulking won't get you anything.

<http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/arts/aesop.htm>

> The moral of the story is: choose your hardware carefully and vote with
> your wallet. It's really that simple.

As we all know, Linux users have a reputation for being big spenders ;)

Anyway, all of this is a moot point as Mike pointed out in another thread:

<http://www.linuxgames.com/news/followupgen.php3?news_id=5860>

-- 
Tim Hosking