announcment: ubuntu-desktop-effects team

[Rodrigo Parra Novo]

   John, all,

On Fri, 2006-09-08 at 15:27 -0400, John Vivirito wrote:
> Launchpad now has the team ubuntu-desktop-effects at :
> https://launchpad.net/people/ubuntu-desktop-effects the team is set up
> primarly for xgl, compiz, aiglx bugs. This is an open team everyone is
> encouraged to join and help make these graphical enhancments the best
> they can be.

   First of all, I'd like to applaud the initiative, this project can be
really really good for Ubuntu, if we contributors to work these
packages.

   I believe, though, its important let people know that there is a much
bigger gamma of packages involved on having decent Xgl and AIGLX on any
linux distribution:

   - mesa (and in particular for ubuntu, libgl1-mesa-dri) for the 3D
drivers
   - xorg-server for AIGLX internals, generic Composite support, etc
   - video drivers (xserver-xorg-video-*) for the drivers themselves,
including acceleration architecture (exa vs xaa), etc
   - X.Org automatic configuration -> we could surely use more help
here: chosing the correct driver  when there is more than one option,
making sure we conveniently configure your video board to the best (but
safe) mode available, chosing the best acceleration architecture for
each driver, etc

   All in all, it is a big challenge, with *huge* rewards. We have
already started Feature Freeze for Edgy, so most of the (unimplemented)
sweetness will need to wait for Edgy+1, but still, there is a lot that
can still be done (and tested) for Edgy.

   We already have aiglx (and Composite) enabled  by default on Edgy,
and can use help with people testing it, and making sure this feature is
as rock solid as possible - and that it doesn't breaks X for anyone.

   As one can see from the (already) big number of subscribers to this
LaunchPad group, there is large community interest on having great
Xgl/AIGLX support on Ubuntu. I would like to invite people interested in
helping interested in developing and testing these features to join the
#ubuntu-x irc channel. This is a channel with very a very low noise
ratio, but: X, AIGLX, and Xgl *development* (not support ;) )
discussions are surely welcome there.

   Rodrigo