Windows, Linux, Apple, whoever
This is not just about Linux users. Everyone can benefit from ATI releasing information about their cards. You bought it, so why do you need to deal with bad drivers when there are a ton of people out there that can make them better?
Better drivers
Most gamers do not even use stock ati drivers, and instead use omega drivers. Why? Because they do a better job, and let us use the hardware we paid for. ATI, because of NDA’s, won’t let a developer release code that will support their r500 cards (http://airlied.livejournal.com/43520.html). How does that help anyone?
No deceptions
http://techreport.com/etc/2001q4/radeon-q3/index.x?pg=1
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2003May/bga20030527020153.htm
Sound familiar? Cheating in drivers to get better performance. Maybe these are the trade secrets that prevent open drivers? There is no way to answer this unless AMD actually lets us in on the hardware specs.
How it works
Everyone, Windows users and Linux users, need to unite and make ATI release specifications to their cards. Contact them. Make a difference.
Back against the wall
AMD is not doing so well financially. I suggest everyone take this time, and not buy any AMD products until we can actually use our video hardware. AMD needs us to survive, and in turn can really contribute to the community. Contact them. Let them know we are not buying their products until they give us hardware specs.
It’s no secret
The flagship ATI product isn’t getting good reviews. Intel is bringing the pressure. AMD has a chance to turn this around, and let us get the performance out of their cards. If AMD continues to not share it’s hardware specs, there is nothing we can do to help them. If they do release the hardware specs, they will get a bunch of free publicity, and can expect the entire enthusiast community to support them.
Put up
So here is your chance AMD. Prove that you are committed to giving consumers a great product.
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#1 by Francis Giannaros on May 16, 2007 - 5:04 pm
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Well, AMD have already announced that they’re going to open source their ATI Graphics drivers, which is a huge step in the right direction.
Particularly after this, I really think it’s pretty unnecessary to be calling for some type of boycott.
#2 by nixternal on May 16, 2007 - 5:08 pm
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I will stick with Intel chipsets until this happens. Granted the composite graphics aren’t the greatest, but writing code all day long you don’t need big and fancy graphics cards. I was an AMD enthusiast forever and I would love to see them open source it, that way there I don’t have to pay so damn much money in order to stay on the free side.
#3 by admin on May 16, 2007 - 5:09 pm
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Francis, they never said that. It was a mis-interpretation of their statements. I covered this last blog post.
#4 by Movi on May 16, 2007 - 5:23 pm
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I’m sorry, but i just dont give a damn anymore. ATi/AMD can shout and beg for attention all they want now, but i just dont care. I bought my 9500Pro, struggled with the POS for 3 years, then i sold it finally and got an nVidia. Never been more happier with the hardware i bought. They can opensource whatever they want, im never going back to the company that has us deep in their A$$.
#5 by daniels on May 17, 2007 - 5:48 am
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Everyone cheats on benchmarks; it’s nothing new.
#6 by jdodson on May 17, 2007 - 11:19 am
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i want to take point to the ” Most gamers do not even use stock ati drivers, and instead use omega drivers.” Ummm, I am a gamer and I have never heard of them before. I know lots of gamers, I don’t know anybody who uses these drivers. Perhaps the people you know use them? I would seriously doubt most gamers have even heard of them.
#7 by admin on May 17, 2007 - 9:34 pm
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jdodson – visit any forum or play counter strike for 5 minutes, it is the most common among tech savvy gamers.