Talk:Fedora

I was able to install fglrx in fc-6. I'm using Radeon AIW X800XT AGP. The current rpm build was successful; apparently, ATi has fixed that. Running the download with sh from ATi yielded the kernel rpm, the fgrlx rpm, the devel rpm, and the control panel rpm. I ran the kernel rpm, then the fglrx rpm, then the control panel rpm. I didn't run the devel rpm. I now get multiple resolutions up to native 1280X1024 for my 19" LCD and up to 75hz and tv-out. Before, all I got was 800X600 and 640X480 at 60hz and 56hz with corrupted tv-out. I'm a happy camper today! I know the linux purists hate fglrx, but, as is too often the case, they don't yet have good solutions; for one thing, GATOS progress seems to be crawling--they only support cards in the 9200 era.

I may sound preachy and even off-base, but it seems the purists desire for us to be docile hostages, waiting years for them to resolve their showdowns with hardware vendors. The thing is that we who are involved with UNIX are mavericks at heart--generally, we are not docile--we like Linux, but we want Linux that works with good functionality that, hopefully, improves over time. Often and vexingly, even that's not always true....

If we mess up, we just fresh install--it's not nearly as involved as Windoze install. We don't tear our hair out--these guys act as if it's the end of the world. On the other hand, I shouldn't crucify great volunteers who have bent over backwards to be helpful. As for fixing Linux, often it's not "intuitive." Good docs and books are really helpful; with Windoze, I think that many of us agree that one can simply learn as one goes--generally, books aren't much help. Most programs involve clicking, simple menus, and even video tutorials.

I guess the place for this rant is my own blog. I'll start that up. Thanks for letting me vent. I do think a lot of people involved with UNIX relate to this.