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AMD
is buttering up the Linux desktop camp by announcing details of a major scheme
to support the open-source development community for ATI Radeon graphics chips
on Linux desktops.
AMD plans to provide an open-source information and development package
supporting the ATI Radeon HD 2000 and Radeon X1000 series of graphics processing
units (GPU) on Linux desktops. To speed up the process, it has teamed up
Novell’s Suse Linux engineering division.
The initial release includes source code and hardware specifications to allow
the open-source community to collaborate on 2D graphics drivers. In the coming
months, AMD promises to work with developers to enable 2D, 3D and video playback
acceleration to boost the overall graphics performance of Linux-based PCs.
Nat Friedman, chief technology and strategy officer for open source at
Novell,
explained why this is a big deal for Linux users: “The lack of open-source
drivers for graphics hardware has long been a major obstacle for Linux
developers and Linux desktop users,” he said.
“Our aim is complete: open-source drivers for all video hardware. Today’s
announcement brings us one step closer. The initial drivers will allow
open-source developers to make the Linux experience even better on desktops,
laptops and workstations, and we look forward to contributing this code to
X.Org.”
Phil Hester, chief technology officer at AMD, said: “AMD has a proven track
record of collaboration with
the software eco-system to support the needs of the open-source community. We’re
now demonstrating
our commitment to respond to the needs of the open-source community and adopt a
consistent approach across CPU and GPU technologies. By supporting open-source
drivers
on our ATI Radeon graphics processors we accelerate innovation across the AMD
platform.”
AMD
lines up partners for Barcelona launch
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Do you agree?
Finaly, a move in the right direction for ATI.
This move by AMD will, in the long run, help to bolster true competition in the computer software market. This is a good day for all consumers, not just Linux users. True competition will mean better and cheaper products for customers, as well as the added security interoperability.
One of the biggest criticisms of Linux has been its lack of driver support for certain bleeding-edge technology. This move by AMD could set precedent for other hardware companies to work more heavily with the open source community. Moves such as that could help Linux prove its proverbial metal as a desktop operating system, thus ensuring the competition that MS is so desperately lacking.
Posted by Benjamin Miller | 16 Sep 2007
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