Monitor problem

[The Wassermans]

Thank you Kim for your considered questions.  Answers follow:-

On Fri, 2008-07-04 at 16:07 +0930, Kim Hawtin wrote:
> Hi Dave,
> 
> The Wassermans wrote:
> > I have recently switched to Ubuntu 8.04.  Am a new convert still trying
> > to configure my computer.
> 
> =)
> 
> > At issue is my Samsung SyncMaster 205bw (lcd) monitor.
> 
> is the 15 pin VGA or DVI connector in use?

The (Blue) VGA connector is in use.  I don't believe my PC has a DVI
connection facility.  In case of need would an adaptor of some
description make sense?
> 
> > I have noticed that my photographs and videos are appreciably fuzzier
> > than they are using the same monitor in XP.  I am presuming that it must
> > be something to do with the Driver?
> 
> What is the application that you are using to view or edit the images?

The applications I have tried are Picasa & F-Spot.
> 
> Is there smoothing or zooming or image compression going on here you haven't seen?
Not sure how to tell
> What is the file format? 
JPEG
> How big is the image in kilobytes?
656KB
> How big is the image in pixels?
2048 x 1536
> 
> Fuzzy is such a loose word to use here, as the application you use in
> windows may actually be doing smoothing without you knowing...
I guess I could describe the picture as not being sharp.  The line on
diagonal straight edges (say a table) are somewhat jagged.

Yes "smoothing" would describe what is missing.

> 
> > Sumsung do not provide a Linux driver as such.
> > 
> > Questions:
> >       * Where in Ubuntu do I go to look at what driver is actually in
> >         use?
> 
> The driver in Ubuntus case is actually the video card driver...
Noted.

> >       * Are there alternative drivers for my monitor?
> 
> Linux and xorg doesn't do monitor 'drivers' as such ...
Noted

> 
> >       * Is there a solution to improving the quality of rendering?
> 
> The windows 'driver' is mainly to give hints to the video card about
> which screen resolutions to run, which are native and what gamma modes
> and colour correction is supported. Mainly so the user doesn't need
> to fiddle with them.
Noted

> 
> Most of these options in Linux/xorg are configurable, however I'm not
> sure if these are changeable from the GUI.
Okay, I'll try to investigate that.
> 

This response has been very beneficial to my much needed education.
Thank you again . . . 


Regards,

Dave