S3 Graphics Responds About Linux Support

[phoronix]

Phoronix: S3 Graphics Responds About Linux Support

Last week S3 Graphics had released the Chrome 540 GTX, which is their newest and fastest PCI Express graphics card. Similar to when announcing the S3 Chrome 540 GT, in the Chrome 540 GTX press release they once again mention Linux support along with OpenGL 3.0 capabilities...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=NzA3MQ

[curaga]

Just days after the previous news item was posted on Slashdot front page, the plot thickens..

[Nille]

For me looks like S3 try to kidding his next customers.

[[Knuckles]]

For me looks like S3 try to kidding his next customers.

Seems like they're pulling an Epic to me too -- "Here, buy our new UT game, the linux binary is coming out real soon, we promise!".

[Kano]

I don't know who will buy that card. It is not really much cheaper than something from Nvidia or ATI and you can expect that the driver is not really optimized, not even for Win. All VIA/S3 chips before are lowend (onboard mostly) chips, nothing really worth to talk about.

[voidrunner]

Is this the same S3 of the S3 Virge fame?

[Ant P.]

Ooh boy. First false advertising, now possible GPL violation (copyright infringement).

S3's in for a world of pain.

[Kano]

Depends, only if they kernel module code uses precompiled parts, then the GPL flag would be wrong. Check for .o files. For the Xorg driver you don't need to use GPL code at all.

[Ant P.]

What I understand from the article is that they're releasing a binary kernel module, no source, and labelling it GPLed to get around the kernel build scripts that check for licence compliance. If memory serves me right there's kernel devs who take things like this very seriously.

[cb88]

yep if its labeled as GPL in the module and they aren't distributing the source for the binary then they are in for a world of hurt

cause a binary driver without the source should cause "tainted kernel" logs they aren't serious just notifying kernel devs that you are running a kernel that isn't worth debugging XD

[FunkyRider]

S3 sucks. It's been sucking all along and will be sucking in the foreseeable future. Stay away from it. Period.

[SarahKH]

Indeed, I'd wager good money they set that to show GPL because of the "Module <mod> taints kernel" message that appears in peoples logs. That and hey, this is how F/OSS works isn't it? You say it's GPL'd and then tell people bite me when they want to see the source.

Erm... no S3. It's not. You set the GPL flag only and I do mean ONLY if you are going to comply with the GPL. Otherwise you a) look like idiots b) annoy people c) get laughed at d) make people highly suspicious of your intentions e) all of the above.

And I'm getting sick of stuff like this happening. Support Linux or don't. GPL or don't. Just make your bloody mind up which it is and get on with it. It stopped being entertaining a long time ago; go learn some new dance steps.

[chithanh]

I don't think that S3 cares about the "kernel tainted" message. I guess that they want to use GPL-only kernel interfaces.

[SarahKH]

I don't think that S3 cares about the "kernel tainted" message. I guess that they want to use GPL-only kernel interfaces.

PRobably, although it does allow them to point at the driver and go "See, it IS GPL".