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Define "perfectly working". If I download the Linux sources, compile the kernel and install it, there is no official Nvidia driver to be seen. I didn't say tha

by bhaak 8y ago

Define "perfectly working". If I download the Linux sources, compile the kernel and install it, there is no official Nvidia driver to be seen. I didn't say that Nvidia is at fault for the state of the nouveau driver. I said they are at fault for not providing OSS drivers. Nvidia doesn't want to play by the rules of Linux development but they still want to be on Linux. That's legally possible but why should the user or distro manager give Nvidia a pass here when other companies play by the rules? Think about it. Which components would you be willing to download drivers for if they weren't OSS? Your monitor? Your sound card? Your harddisk? Your network card (oops)? Your mouse or keyboard?

gmueckl 8y ago
If you download the current Windows ISO image and install that offline, you won't get a proper driver for your nVidia card either. Yet, this is accepted as normal. Some Linux distributions that do not hamper themselves artificially on philosophical grounds offer nvidia binary drivers in their package repositories like they do with every other driver they contain. Your focus on the kernel sources is too narrow. There absolutely was a time when you had to download all these drivers you mention separately - for Windows. And people put up with it. I think even today the Windows installer is forced to offer an option to install 3rd party RAID controller drivers into the installation environment...
- pard68 8y ago
  Parent is referring to the fact the Linux drivers are meant to be baked into the kernel and Nvidia doesn't wish to play ball. You can't compare Linux and Windows when it comes to drivers, they have different methods of providing those drivers.
  - dingo_bat 8y ago
    I'm sure Nvidia will be happy to include a binary blob into the kernel. I think it's Linux that refuses to play ball.
  - AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y ago
    Yeah, and Linux's insistence on not having a stable ABI for drivers is problematic for Nvidia, just as Nvidia's insistence on not open sourcing their drivers is problematic for Linux.
  - gmueckl 8y ago
    I can fully compare those, your wish to the contrary nonwithstanding: - both are viable desktop operating systems - nVidia successfully and consistently releases high quality video drivers for both
  - TheChaplain 8y ago
    I installed Ubuntu last month, I didn't do anything special and the nVidia drivers are running on my system providing excellent gaming experience. So to me it seems to work just fine.

by bhaak 8y ago

gmueckl 8y ago

If you download the current Windows ISO image and install that offline, you won't get a proper driver for your nVidia card either. Yet, this is accepted as normal. Some Linux distributions that do not hamper themselves artificially on philosophical grounds offer nvidia binary drivers in their package repositories like they do with every other driver they contain. Your focus on the kernel sources is too narrow. There absolutely was a time when you had to download all these drivers you mention separately - for Windows. And people put up with it. I think even today the Windows installer is forced to offer an option to install 3rd party RAID controller drivers into the installation environment...

pard68 8y ago
Parent is referring to the fact the Linux drivers are meant to be baked into the kernel and Nvidia doesn't wish to play ball. You can't compare Linux and Windows when it comes to drivers, they have different methods of providing those drivers.
- dingo_bat 8y ago
  I'm sure Nvidia will be happy to include a binary blob into the kernel. I think it's Linux that refuses to play ball.
- AnIdiotOnTheNet 8y ago
  Yeah, and Linux's insistence on not having a stable ABI for drivers is problematic for Nvidia, just as Nvidia's insistence on not open sourcing their drivers is problematic for Linux.
- gmueckl 8y ago
  I can fully compare those, your wish to the contrary nonwithstanding: - both are viable desktop operating systems - nVidia successfully and consistently releases high quality video drivers for both
- TheChaplain 8y ago
  I installed Ubuntu last month, I didn't do anything special and the nVidia drivers are running on my system providing excellent gaming experience. So to me it seems to work just fine.