X Server 1.11 Breaks The Video Driver ABI

[phoronix]

Phoronix: X Server 1.11 Breaks The Video Driver ABI

While not exactly uncommon for a major X.Org Server update, the video driver ABI for the DDX drivers will break with the forthcoming xorg-server 1.11 release. This means that for those using the proprietary graphics drivers, namely the AMD Catalyst driver, you may be stuck waiting a couple of months for support...

http://www.phoronix.com/vr.php?view=OTQ3NA

[DanL]

I didn't see a quick link to what improvements are in xserver 1.11 and whether I'll actually care if I can't use it.

[maleadt]

Oh man, breaking the ABI over some wasted bytes? Is that really worth it?

[NSLW]

Oh man, breaking the ABI over some wasted bytes? Is that really worth it?

I think it's not worth it. In fact it is really stupid to give away so much and benefiting so little from this change.

[macemoneta]

"...for those using the proprietary graphics drivers... you may be stuck waiting a couple of months for support."

Yeah, because all the X development happens behind closed doors, so there's no opportunity to build for the changes until the last second. Oh no, wait, that's a lie. The proprietary driver developers can pick up the code at any time and add a few tests, so that the same blob works on either release. If their code isn't working on day one, it's not the Xorg developer's fault, it's the fault of Nvidia and AMD.

[Goderic]

"...for those using the proprietary graphics drivers... you may be stuck waiting a couple of months for support."

Yeah, because all the X development happens behind closed doors, so there's no opportunity to build for the changes until the last second. Oh no, wait, that's a lie. The proprietary driver developers can pick up the code at any time and add a few tests, so that the same blob works on either release. If their code isn't working on day one, it's not the Xorg developer's fault, it's the fault of Nvidia and AMD.

Who said it's the fault of Xorg devs?


I think the Catalyst devs have better things to do than making their drivers work with the latest Xorg 1.11 code, such as making it work properly with the current Xorg.

[C-MoH]

"...for those using the proprietary graphics drivers... you may be stuck waiting a couple of months for support."

I suppose that should be phrased as "... developers of X might be stuck waiting a couple of months for users."

[alanc]

Oh man, breaking the ABI over some wasted bytes? Is that really worth it?

Note that's the first commit that changes ABI from xserver-1.10, but it's not the only one, and reverting just it would still leave the ABI incompatible.

[Ex-Cyber]

The next Xorg server version breaks the driver ABI, requiring users to wait for updates to proprietary drivers before upgrading the server.

In other news, the Earth rotated today, creating a wave of darkness that required most of the planet's population to cease major work and travel activities for some 8 to 12 hours.

[RealNC]

In fact, it's usually not until the next Ubuntu Linux release with the new xorg-server that AMD puts out a supportive driver of that kernel / xorg-server.

Since Microsoft has forbidden AMD to release Linux drivers sooner than Windows ones, that's to be expected. If AMD had some balls, this wouldn't be happening.