[NTLUG:Discuss] CPU History

[David]

On Thu, Jan 16, 2003 at 09:13:05AM -0600, Greg Edwards wrote:
> Sorry David but I have to disagree with your opinion that about 
> companies like Nvidia releasing their technical specs.  They don't do it 
> for Windows drivers so why should we expect it for Linux drivers.

Because Linux is not Windows.  Releasing a binary-only driver for a
binary-only OS like Windows is just fine.  Windows users don't have
free-speech freedom anyway, so a binary-only driver doesn't hurt
them.  For Linux users, the situation is very different.  

> The fact that they are doing Linux drivers is a very good sign.  This 
> means that support for hardware will be available on Linux just as well 
> as it is for that other OS.

I don't object to NVidia doing a driver.  That's fine.  I object to
their failure to make technical details of the hardware available.
It's two different (although related) issues.

> If all computer companies released their specs then their profits and 
> ability to survive would be toast.  Our business system depends on 
> revenues and profits, not charity work.  That's the system the world 
> works in and until that changes free software will be a nitch and not 
> the rule.

No, NVidia's profits and survival depends on their ability to get me
to buy their hardware.  Whether or not I can freely develop and
distribute NVidia drivers, anyone wanting NVidia HARDWARE on which to
run those drivers would have to pay NVidia.  

NVidia doesn't make drivers because they want to sell them.  They make
drivers because they must do so, in order to sell hardware.  That's
where their money is.  GPL drivers don't threaten the hardware
business.

> I do believe that the OS is a different animal than add on applications 
> and high performance video drivers.  I think that it's kind of like an 
> engine in a car where you don't have to pay for the base model engine 
> just to be able to drive off the lot.  Fully open OSes allow for freedom 
> of choice and a more robust development environment for add on applications.

No different at all.  You either have freedom, or you do not.  If your
hardware depends on NVidia's good will to develop drivers, you are not
free.  If your critical business data depends on a spreadsheet
vendor's good will to update their accounting program, you are not
free.  In either case, the vendor can do something, or refuse to do
something, which adversely impacts your ability to use what you
already own.

Last year I bought three new systems for my company.  They originally
were spec'd for NVidia graphics boards.  When I discovered that NVidia
withheld the technical information necessary to make a driver, I
changed the order.  My systems now carry Matrox G-450 video cards, and
use the GPL drivers.  Yes, the NVidia's would have performed better
than the Matrox cards.  I don't care.  I'm willing to sacrifice that
performance margin to keep my freedom.

To accept the NVidia cards is to live as a bird in a cage furnished by
NVidia.  It's a very nice cage, with some pretty graphics, but it's
still a cage.  I refuse to surrender the ability to fly for myself.

-- 
David Hayes
david at hayes-family.org