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dcc24

Member

Registered: 2009-10-31

Posts: 732

Thoughts on graphics drivers by the kernel DRM maintainer

The kernel DRM maintainer, David Airlie, has written two blog posts regarding closed source drivers. They are both interesting to read.

Post 1: Open source kernel bits with closed source userspaces
Post 2: Embedded GPU : what are they hiding?

Also, there is a rather heated discussion going on in the DRI development ML about "post 1".

Any thoughts?

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It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. (Mark Twain)

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dcc24

Member

Registered: 2009-10-31

Posts: 732

Re: Thoughts on graphics drivers by the kernel DRM maintainer

Wow, this thread is read 100 times and no one has any thoughts on the subject? Or maybe just too lazy to type?

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It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. (Mark Twain)

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toxygen

Member

Registered: 2008-08-22

Posts: 713

Re: Thoughts on graphics drivers by the kernel DRM maintainer

I dont think you're going to get many comments.  Most of us probably agree with the points made, but a lot of this stuff is too behind-the-scenes for normal users.   and the thread in the ML you linked to has most of the comments that are relevant so.. ?

while i do agree with his points, i doubt hardware manufacturers will take the rist to be "the first" to open the driver/kernel code.  someone on the ML said it best, whoever is first (in the HW people's minds) runs the risk of having their code/tech ripped off by someone, so no one wants to be first.

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"I know what you're thinking, 'cause right now I'm thinking the same thing. Actually, I've been thinking it ever since I got here:
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dcc24

Member

Registered: 2009-10-31

Posts: 732

Re: Thoughts on graphics drivers by the kernel DRM maintainer

Most of us probably agree with the points made, but a lot of this stuff is too behind-the-scenes for normal users.

Well, Arch users are (IMHO) more knowledgeable than your average Linux user, so I think I can expect some comments

and the thread in the ML you linked to has most of the comments that are relevant so.. ?

Yeah, but those comments are made by kernel devs themselves. I wanted to hear some opinions from a user POV, to see how/if they differ from those of the devs.

Last edited by dcc24 (2010-07-05 21:27:01)

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It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. (Mark Twain)

My AUR packages