Some notes on Linux and free drivers [LWN.net]

Some notes on Linux and free drivers

Posted Apr 20, 2006 15:51 UTC (Thu) by yokem_55 (guest, #10498)
In reply to: Some notes on Linux and free drivers by tetromino
Parent article: Some notes on Linux and free drivers

For me, if you are already using a proprietary piece of software such as a game, it isn't that far of a jump to be accepting of a proprietary graphics driver. This is precisely why the binary only drivers have managed to be accepted for so long: their users are already comfortable with using non-free games and thier related software, and if those games require a non-free driver, so what, you've already squandered your quibbles?

Now that XGL and company are gaining traction, the requirment for a good 3d graphics driver is expanding to those that aren't playing proprietary 3d games and only seek to use free software, and thus the level of protest is increasing.

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Some notes on Linux and free drivers

Posted Apr 20, 2006 20:44 UTC (Thu) by yodermk (subscriber, #3803) [Link]

Nah, huge difference between closed source games and drivers. The kernel and its drivers need to be open source for numerous reasons, as pointed out in the articles. Games are purely user space, and if they are broken, the only consequence is that the game itself doesn't work. Closed source user space apps do not taint the kernel, nor render obsolete your hardware.

I'm willing to buy closed source software in some cases. I'm NOT willing to use closed source drivers.