[SATLUG] Video Drivers

[John Pappas]

On 7/5/07, Daniel J. Givens <daniel at rugmonster.org> wrote:
>
> John Pappas wrote:
> > No you are fine.  You have just run into one of Linux's glaring
> > shortcommings: Display Management.
>
> I don't really agree with this. The installation of Windows video
> drivers for ATI and Nvidia are not easier, unless you consider
> double-clicking an icon easier than executing one command from a
> terminal.


Agree.  I was more addressing the issue with reconfiguring the displays for
non-root non-tech users.  Handling video output with laptops are not nearly
as clean as Mac, and even windows handles on-the-fly user-based resolution
and multihead display manipulation better than the typical linux install.

ATI's drivers have been getting better along with the display
> management utilities. Nvidia's drivers are good and their management
> utilities are good as well.


True.  My aim with the comment is more to non-root, non-power-user, display
management.  If there are ways that anyone out there provides mobile
knowledge worker or sales force folks the ability to (near) seamlessly
handle dynamic displays:
-- Connect to a projector and easily choose to mirror/multihead the new
display without X or system restart
-- Connect another display of any description and do the same.
-- Change resolution on a whim to simply go from SXGA to XGA (for example)

> You will also find that multi-threaded
> > sound and WiFi are a couple others.
>
> ALSA and NetworkManager have both addressed these fairly well. Granted
> they aren't seemless, but they are pretty good.


Maybe it is my naivety then.  I am trying to run SIP VoIP and have been
wrestling with this issue, and have had no luck getting consistent results.
If I unload and reload the modules, I can occasionally survive a swsuspend
operation or a standby.  Any feedback/good references would be appreciated.

When it comes to
> wireless, I've had more difficulties with Windows. Do you use the
> Windows wireless manager or do you use the manufacturer's utility.
> Sometimes, things don't work correctly unless you use one or the other
> depending on the device. Maybe I've just figured out how to deal with
> the bumps in the road to the point that I just don't notice them as much.


True.  Wireless is a PITA regardless, but native vendor support would at
least make them suck equally. :)

John