S3 Graphics Responds About Linux Support 114
V!NCENT writes "Phoronix has an update on S3's Linux driver state: 'We are doing an internal build of the Chrome 500 Linux driver to incorporate some of the additional hardware features and upgrades (over the Chrome 400 Series GPUs). If you want to test the Linux now, the Chrome 400 Series drivers also support the Chrome 500 Series since it is a unified driver architecture.'" (This after the beef that Phoronix raised about S3's failure to deliver on promises of better Linux support for the 500 series.)
Re:I bet (Score:5, Informative)
They always get top of the line drivers delivered promptly...
What version of Windows have you been using? Most Windows drivers are horrible! They require third-party apps to be run in order to use the hardware, frequently install "quick start" or other memory hog applications to be run always in the background, usually break when going from different Windows versions (and sometimes service packs), have little to no maintenance, are a pain to install, impossible to find without the CD or going to a site that seems suspicious, and more often than not are the cause of all Windows crashes.
Sure, Windows has more third-party drivers than Linux, but Windows drivers are not quality, not at all.
Re:who are these people? (Score:2, Informative)
most low-end motherboards with via chipsets come with s3 graphics onboard.
Download (Score:2, Informative)
Chrome 400 Series: Linux Display Driver - x86
File Name
S3G-Linux-x86-Chrome4x.14.02.01.tar.bz2 (11,334KB)
Version Version: 14.02.01
Date: 11/19/2008
Description Release Type: Beta
- Initial release
GPU IDs: 9043, 9045
Re:I bet (Score:5, Informative)
Re:who are these people? (Score:5, Informative)
As an AC previously stated, motherboards with VIA's integrated video use the Chrome drivers.
I bought an Everex laptop that uses Chrome9 drivers, and it doesn't do bad for what it is ($300 laptop running Ubuntu).
My wife's PC is also an Everex system with a VIA integrated video using Chrome drivers. It's the $200 system Wal-Mart was selling a while ago.
Why pay for a video card that costs half as much, or more, than the entire system? Video performance is acceptable for day-to-day use, even playing YouTube videos.
VIA's Linux Portal site (Score:3, Informative)
http://linux.via.com.tw/ [via.com.tw]
Get your latest Linux drivers there. I went there to get better drivers for the two VIA systems I own that rely on Chrome drivers, and the newer drivers worked great.
S3's product site is here: http://www.s3graphics.com/en/products/ [s3graphics.com]
Re:I bet (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I bet (Score:3, Informative)
Re:AC Responds About Linux Support (Score:3, Informative)
Although there still is only one that has an up-front money cost.
Re:who are these people? (Score:4, Informative)
Really? The vast majority of built-in video cards that I've seen come from Intel.
Re:AC Responds About Linux Support (Score:3, Informative)
You could argue that the time freed by completing the tasks you desire more efficiently in Linux allows you to perform more paid work, but claiming that therefore means Linux is paying you to use it is entirely deceptive and doesn't really advance the argument for Linux further as much as it causes people to gawk at the perceived intelligence of its vocal users. I'm quite sure anyone running around saying Windows pays them to use it because Photoshop is more efficient for them to use than Gimp would be smacked down with logic quite quickly, even if it provides them with additional time to complete additional paid work the OS isn't actually paying them.
No doubt I just got trolled, but I think if people try using this sort of argument to convince people to use Linux they're simply going to make themselves look deceptive rather than helpful.
Comment removed (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I bet (Score:4, Informative)
It varies. Lets leave it at that.
The HP Printer drivers for Linux are *far* superior to the Windows ones in every way.
Not only are they on SourceForge (but made by HP themselves), but they support every feature you can name. Network printing, fax, scanner, card reader and so on.
Checking the ink levels is more precise than on Windows.
They all tie in properly with the appropriate Linux subsystems. CUPS, Sane, etc...
FYI I'm using one of their networked multifunction centers.
Network autodetection on Linux is quick and painless and using it over the network doesnt add/remove any features compared to USB.
Not to mention that the Windows drivers are 250mb to download, and the Linux ones are 11mb for the same thing.
Re:I bet (Score:1, Informative)
Sorry to pick up on only one point, and it doesn't invalidate your argument, but:
I've come across this before, and the chances are that what you're seeing is due to the windows drivers (in this one instance) not making full use of the hardware. Start alsamixer in a terminal, and check that each fader isn't showing more than 0dB gain. If it is, it's almost certainly only really adding distortion, and that's probably what's causing you to feel the volume change so much.