video card with free 3D support for GNU/Linux

[Vergil83]

Even if you don't think the design and circuitry of the hardware should be free, you should at least be able to understand how the hardware's interface works. That is what is most important. The ability for a hobbyist to rework and understand the hardware is a less important.

[jens]

Even if you don't think the design and circuitry of the hardware should be free, you should at least be able to understand how the hardware's interface works. That is what is most important.

Well, that's the problem with Nvidia and ATI.
They both say that giving that much information will reveal everything.
I personally also don't agree that nvidia makes good drivers. IMO they simply suck. They're just less bad than the others.

It's still waiting for a better firm that does everything in the open.

[bidi]

Just wondering, but you guys do realize that we live in a capitalist society, right?

[Vergil83]

Just wondering, but you guys do realize that we live in a capitalist society, right?

Sorry, I was just opening up the hood of my car and looking how it works. I can actually repair a broken part. I can actual replace old parts. I purchased it and I don't have to take it to a GM dealership. I am a rebel.

[jens]

Just wondering, but you guys do realize that we live in a capitalist society, right? Rolling Eyes

As you said yourself:

And again, that's your choice.

[bidi]

Sorry, I was just opening up the hood of my car and looking how it works. I can actually repair a broken part. I can actual replace old parts. I purchased it and I don't have to take it to a GM dealership. I am a rebel.

That's actually a great example, because even though you can open your hood, look into it, and see how it works, there's no way you can modify it. I've been around vehicles for a long time, and know what's involved on getting them running. Let's, for example, take a look at the valve-train which includes the camshaft, lifters, valves, and cam-gear. If you want to, lets say, get more lift and duration, you need to either go out and have someone back-engineer and then grind a new camshaft profile, or you need to go to the local GM dealership and buy a performance camshaft. It's not free, as in $0 and freedom. Because if you wanted to grind this yourself, you'd need a $1000 milling machine, and be able to either backward engineer or get a GM license.

And the fact that you have a choice, has nothing to do with the fact that we live in a capitalist society. I can believe that socialism is the best type of political/economical system ever (which I do), but that still doesn't take away from the fact that I live in a capitalist world.

[Vergil83]

Sorry, I was just opening up the hood of my car and looking how it works. I can actually repair a broken part. I can actual replace old parts. I purchased it and I don't have to take it to a GM dealership. I am a rebel.

That's actually a great example, because even though you can open your hood, look into it, and see how it works, there's no way you can modify it. I've been around vehicles for a long time, and know what's involved on getting them running. Let's, for example, take a look at the valve-train which includes the camshaft, lifters, valves, and cam-gear. If you want to, lets say, get more lift and duration, you need to either go out and have someone back-engineer and then grind a new camshaft profile, or you need to go to the local GM dealership and buy a performance camshaft. It's not free, as in $0 and freedom. Because if you wanted to grind this yourself, you'd need a $1000 milling machine, and be able to either backward engineer or get a GM license.

1) I never said it had to cost $0. It could cost 100 times as much. That doesn't change the freedom of it.

2) There are a lot of things on a car I can do myself. I can change batteries, spark plugs, oil, tires, etc... (even use third party parts, capitalism at work!). Even very difficult things (like the valve train you mentioned), may be expensive or require great expertise (that I don't have) but I still have the right to do it. That is because I know how it works. When you turn your key it does, A, B, C, D etc...

I don't have a clue how 3d acceleration in nvidia cards works. Unlike the car, this isn't only because I don't have the expertise, but because I am not allowed. I doesn't matter if I was an engineer at nvidia , I don't have the right.

[genesus]

I don't have a clue how 3d acceleration in nvidia cards works. Unlike the car, this isn't only because I don't have the expertise, but because I am not allowed. I doesn't matter if I was an engineer at nvidia , I don't have the right.

My sentiments exactly, nvidia drivers, however, are the only things I compromise on--freedom wise--in my comps...3d drivers are the only things that oss cannot provide at this time...even if an oss alternative that did not work as well were available I would use it!