What package(s) are needed to install nvidia support ?

Mark Shuttleworth mark at hbd.com
Tue Sep 14 15:48:32 CDT 2004


>Another, simpler option would be to install the drivers by default.  Then,
>when xfree86 is autoconfigured, it would select the binary drivers in
>preference to the open source ones if they are present.  Simple, effective,
>and flexible.  Users who choose to make CDs without the drivers on them
>would get the open source drivers automatically.  Users can easily switch
>between the drivers once they have installed, by selecting from the list of
>available drivers in dpkg-reconfigure.
>  
>
I go back and forward on this. There are pro's and con's.

  Con: the proprietary driver is not free software, and a big goal for 
us is to move the *world* to free software
  Pro: the proprietary driver usually supports newer hardware (ATI X800 
for example)
  Pro: the proprietary driver is usually faster for 3D
  Con: the proprietary driver is usually less stable in my experience
  Con: the proprietary driver often has worse interactions with other 
systems (fb etc)
  Con: we cannot support or debug or help the user with a proprietary 
driver.

Ideally for me, the proprietary driver would be installed by default, 
but not used unless the user explicitly asks for it, or we *know* that 
the open driver simply will not work on that hardware.

Anyhow, all of this is Hoary.

For Warty:

  - proprietary drivers will be at most an apt-get install away, perhaps 
installed by default but not used
  - turning them on or off will be a risky (suitably prompted) but easy 
option for users

-- 
Try Debian GNU/Linux. Software freedom for the bold, at www.debian.org
http://www.markshuttleworth.com/





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