On Monday 23 October 2006 08:08, Phil Burness wrote:
To install the nvidia drivers I need to upgrade my kernel (apparently), currently using 2.6.16.13-4-default. To upgrade my kernel I have to download it and presumably the src code for it. Not a problem in itself, but I then have to get my wireless card working with the new kernel (It's a D-Link G520) not supported as standard. This means I have to obtain and compile / install the madwifi package as well. Once I have done all this and re-booted and re-configured my wireless network card I can get access to the net again and then download and install the drivers.
So the question is - Is it worth it? Are the nvidia drivers so much better than the standard x-org ones? I guess if your running fast games etc. then it probably is, but what other advantages will it give me?
Phil
There is a disadvantage, at least, and that's that the nvidia driver is a 'blob', an unaudited closed-source piece of binary code that one has to take the company's word for it will not open your computer to security risks, and that you have to trust the company hasn't put anything in you wouldn't want there. Nearly all the rest of your SuSE system consists of open-source code that disinterested external experts (of which I'm not one!) are able to inspect and comment on, and help de-bug and analyse. If you don't need to I certainly wouldn't run closed proprietary code when you've got the x-org drivers available for 2-d work. That would apply particularly if the machines have any kind of public role. -- Fergus Wilde Chetham's Library Long Millgate Manchester M3 1SB Tel: 0161 834 7961 Fax: 0161 839 5797 http://www.chethams.org.uk