More proprietary packages!

[DrPreston]

FInally, an open-source linux distro that includes proprietary packages! Out-of-the-box mp3 support! YAY!
According to the package list, Sabayon doesn't include fglrx. That'd be something u definately want to include, and make the installer automatically install and configure the driver. Linspire does this.

If someone wants their linux desktop to actually do more than write documents and browse some websites, they need proprietary software. That's why this "it's not toally free" stuff bothers me. If you dont have to pay for it, then it's free.


Sorry about the rant. It just shocks me how some developers refuse to distribute proprietary packages.

[Darksurf]

Yes, the ATI proprietary drivers are included. I speak from experience, (I'm using them!)

They have the nvidia ones too. You should pay closer attention ; nonetheless, Sabayon linux does Ownz the other distros. Too bad many people have yet to see it.

[whilo]

If someone wants their linux desktop to actually do more than write documents and browse some websites, they need proprietary software. That's why this "it's not toally free" stuff bothers me. If you dont have to pay for it, then it's free.

No! First this is too simple and second that's why it's wrong. We can start flaming here and open another Stallman vs. Torvalds thread. I don't want that, but you should not forget that:

- without a clear definition of freedom in the Gpl, free software would not exist today. In fact we would most likely still be with Minix or more likely with the BSD family. Most important software projects would have been taken by some company, improved to their needs and sold for a lot of money, while they would not put anything back in the project. As it seems, after their deal with Microsoft, Novell would have done that.

- binary drivers are forbidden by law. They taint the kernel. In fact there were issues with Kororaa shipping the Nvidia driver by default. Sabayon is threatened by the same issue. Google for more information...

- OpenSource drivers for graphics chips are important. One example is an ATI card on PPC, an issue I've had with an iBook. Consider the new Playstation 3. If we don't have the sources for the Nvidia chipset, we cannot port the driver to the Cell/PPC64 platform, which means no 3D acceleration there...

- nobody can fix the driver or develop specials as long as it is closed. My Realtek 8169 driver for example had some problems in it, which needed to be fixed in the source. The Nvidia driver has had no support for Aiglx ( in fact they now have their own implementation ), which needed the slower Xgl interface and its problems. Additionally if the company stops support for older chipsets nobody will be able to improve the driver to current needs.

Besides a clear definition and idea of freedom is necessary in any part of life. If you consider money=freedom/free of charge=free, then you definitely don't need democracy or any laws concerning human rights. Just give you a little bit of money and your are free, or give you a car for free.

Cheers,
whilo

[cvill64]

you guys can go on all you want about that, but not here in the development section please

also, to clarify, SabayonLinux doesn't ship with binaries, they are created at runtime at the choice of the user, big difference than korarra

[whilo]

you guys can go on all you want about that, but not here in the development section please

also, to clarify, SabayonLinux doesn't ship with binaries, they are created at runtime at the choice of the user, big difference than korarra

O.k. sorry for the off topic posting. I'm a lot into freedom

I didn't knew that Sabayon builds the drivers during LiveDVD boot... This is really tricky, congratulations! But open source drivers are still better.

Cheers,
whilo

[cvill64]

its not that tricky, we just carry our own line of the ati/nvidia drivers ebuilds that do it for us with a USE flag, they is why you'll see them in our overlay, only for that reason

in concept, yes, open source drivers are better, in practice however, they currently suck on the nvidia and ati side, we need to encourage them to go the way of intel so we can get better drivers