<div dir="ltr"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 8:04 PM, Michael TheZorch Haney <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:thezorch@gmail.com">thezorch@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
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</div></div>Thanks. Its nice to see someone in the Linux Community who is able to<br>
"think outside the box" and see beyond just FOSS. It warms my heart.</blockquote><div><br>As someone who is pretty much a fence rider on the issue, I see both sides of the issue. I use my nvidia driver and flash because they are simple and give me what I want. But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't like to see more openness in computing.<br>
<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">I've tried to convey this simple premise in other forums but nobody<br>
seems to get it and I'm honestly perplexed as to why is so hard for them<br>
to understand. Its mind-boggling. It like trying to talk sense into a<br>
right-winger, goes in one ear and out the other.</blockquote><div> <br>To "get it" simply means other people agree with you. To play devil's advocate here (remember, I'm a fence rider) some in the FOSS community are asking why others don't get that open standards are it and to them it's mind-boggling that some people think it's okay to run proprietary binaries on their computers.<br>
<br>Like most things that are important, there isn't a right and a wrong side. Instead, there are complex issues that require complex answers. Right now, anyone that says they support FOSS is going to have to advocate on both sides. Those who pick one side or the other will end up hurting that which they profess to care about. Right now, I'd say the RMS camp probalby hurts Linux/FOSS/GNU (not going to argue the fine points) adoption. However, I'd also say they are fighting the good fight and in the long run it will probably prove well that we had them out there fighting. Likewise, those who feel binary blobs are perfectly acceptable prevent Linux/FOSS/GNU from advancing since these things by their nature thrive on openness. However, in the short term we need them in order to make and non-proprietary OS an option for "average" people which will build the user base. It boggles my mind :) that people don't get this and we end up fighting each other.<br>
<br>So, I'm curious. What would everyone say is the best solution to the problem presented regarding video resolution? What would everyone say is "the fix" that will ensue that no one has to deal with this in the future?<br>
<br>I see four possible answers.<br><br>1. the devs just have to bit the bullet and fix this.<br><br>2. Ubuntu has to just ship all the binary drivers.<br><br>3. vendors open source drivers.<br><br>4. make the binary drivers available but keep them out of a default install. Give people the information they need to add them if they wish but keep fighting for the day when none of this is necessary and the devs can just make it all work.<br>
<br> If there is a fifth or whatever please share. I'm sure I can't see all angles.<br><br>Lets look a bit closer at these.<br><br>1. not possible since the devs don't have access to the hardware specs or drivers to work from.<br>
<br>2. probably the most realistic in that it's possible (not sure about licencing but others do it so Ubuntu could too). This would minimize issues but it also undermines the Ubuntu promise and the Ubuntu goals (i.e. a free and unencumbered OS). However, some would accept that in the short run to have greater adoption.<br>
<br>3. not likely in the short term but in time it may become a reality. Some vendors are already doing this. Intel seems to be and ATI is also opening to name a couple.<br><br>4. already the case. The drivers are available, people can install them and Ubuntu continues to push for open standards. Sure, they could be a bit more easy to find but for several releases now I'm told the nvidia driver is available for my system and a click or two installs it and sets it up automagically.<br>
<br>So what's the right answer? (hint: it's a trick question. There isn't ONE right answer. It's a complex problem and those are simple solutions).<br><br></div></div>Now, I'm willing to admit I could be totally off base. I've only been following this stuff for about 3 years and not very closely at that. I'm fully open to a better option but right now I think the best answer is a mix of all four with a hope that in the future number 3 becomes more a reality.<br>
<br>/me dons aesbestos suite.<br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Jim (Ubuntu geek extraordinaire)<br>----<br>Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.<br>See <a href="http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html">http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html</a><br>
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