[ltp] Re: New ati-drivers out there

[Alex Deucher]

On 6/14/05, David A. Desrosiers <desrod@gnu-designs.com> wrote:
>=20
> >> ACPI does work with fglrx. You need "radeontool" to switch off/on
> >> the backlight and "vbetool" to save/restore the video state. See
> >> attached acpi action script.
>=20
> > okay, but with all tools (radeontool / vbetool), you'll have
> > problems: X crashes sometimes after resume, always higher
> > temperature =3D> higher power consumption!!!
>=20
>         Let me ask something which might seem obvious to some...
>=20
>         Why can't this JUST WORK RIGHT, instead of having to have
> little stop/start scripts, shims, and other hardware/kernel-based
> tweaks to get a functioning video card with proper ACPI support?
>=20
>         Really, this is EXACTLY why people are giving up on Linux in
> crowds.
>=20
>         I'm also speaking as an Open Source developer myself, and
> while I understand the blockheaded vendor issues, it really doesn't
> help the case if we continue to purchase their hardware and support
> their bottom line. I've been fighting it with Palm and related mobile
> partners since 1997 or so. If people didn't buy hardware that vendors
> refused to support the OS on, then they might get a clue and change
> their tactics. If it doesn't hurt them in the pocketbook, they have no
> reason to change.
>=20
>         Its getting worse and worse every day. These workarounds were
> great in the early 90's, when it was "cool" to hack on hardware and
> get things working, but come on... this is 13+ years later, and we
> still can't get functioning video + suspend working in Linux?
>=20
>         Pfft.
>=20

then go ahead and write the drivers and stop complaining.  ATI makes
databooks available.  the problem is X and video in general on linux
needs an overhaul.  X isn't ACPI aware, heck, it's barely APM aware.=20
There aren't that many people hacking on X.  That's why all these
little "hacks" exist.  no one wants to fix the problem the right way.=20
The right way probably requires kernel support, but then you start to
lose multi-OS support.  it's a lot of work, and no one, including the
GPU vendors it seems, has the time to invest.

Alex

>=20
> David A. Desrosiers
> desrod@gnu-designs.com
> http://gnu-designs.com
>