[Openchrome-users] Modular X.org and the Unichrome

[userforum@openchrome.org]

Re: Modular X.org and the Unichrome

> The thread is on Xorg.
> 
> Please go to the Xorg list, read and speak up your minds, whatever your
> opinions are!
> 
> /Thomas
> 

Hi, For those not interested in taking the time to RTFT.

I went to the Xorg list and read the thread. It was interesting and entertaining. The discussion 
centered around a suggestion that Xorg stop shipping a via driver and let the distros decide between the Unichrome Project and the Openchrome Project. Almost no one supported this idea and so the real question quickly became should Xorg replace the current Openchrome via driver with the new version of the via driver developed by the Unichrome Project. 

Alan Cox, Daniel Stone, Thomas Hellstr?m, Ivor Hewitt -- all voiced opinions I agree with. The via driver in Xorg should be maintained and improved without ripping out features (hardware mpeg2 acceleration) or eliminating support for hardware (UnichromePro, EPIA boards). In other words, Xorg should stick with the Openchrome via driver.

A quote from Daniel Stone of Ubuntu fame:
> At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is a working, solid driver
> that is useful to everyone (not half the people who own a Via)

and from Alan Cox, a well known name in Linux kernel development:
> The fact openchrome supports hardware and the new code breaks existing
> functional hardware means its totally obvious that the openchrome code
> should be used and shipped as a default in X.org. Reversions are bad.

I use Ubuntu @home and @work on MSI boards with the KM400 and K8M800 IGP. I would like to build a fanless VIA EPIA mini-itx system. The new Unichrome Project via code may be improved and polished but it is really not much more useful than the generic vesa driver. The Openchrome developers are friendly and helpful and have even taken the time to help get the via driver working on Ubuntu.

I support the Openchrome Project and would like to thank all involved.

Tomy