nVidia drivers and TV-OUT

[Sam Varshavchik]

Andrew writes:

> On Sat, 2007-04-28 at 23:13 -0400, Sam Varshavchik wrote:
>>
>> If you want to run closed, non-free binary software, there are plenty of 
>> other operating systems you can choose, which will give you as many non-free 
>> binary blobs as you wish.  But that's not what Linux is all about.
>>
>> > They provide linux drivers for free (and have for years)
>> 
>> Only for one specific definition of "free".
> 
> What are nVidia taking?

Your money.

> They are giving everything necessary to use their cards on Linux
> but not have to pay money for the drivers.

You certainly paid something for their hardware.  

> How are they asking you to make your software non-free?

That's not what I said.  That's a fairly-well constructed strawman you've 
just built.

> Got a copy of that email from them?
> ... And yes I know what your answer is going to be ...

Ok, then you should've saved me the trouble of posting it.

> should I already rebut it?

Knock yourself out.

> You think that since their software cannot be included in a
> 'your definition free' distribution that it matters?
> Why?

Because it does.

> We all have definitions of free.

Yes, and there's two of them, in the English language.  Much of the 
confusion stems from merging the synonyms for "liberty", and "without cost", 
into a single word. This unfortunate historical accident must be blamed for 
causing constant confusion, on the part of simple-minded folks, ever since. 
But, other languages managed to evolve past that point; hopefully, some day, 
the King's English will do as well.

> RedHat linux ... is that free?

Yup.

> No - you must pay for it and they claim copyright over it and
> also consider it a violation of their agreement to have their
> distribution without paying money for it.

You don't know what you're talking about.  Look up.  See there?  High up in 
the sky?  Way above your head?  It's a big, honking clue, and it's called 
"CentOS".

> That's not free either in the 'money' definition of the word.

That's more free than Nvidia's definition of free.

>> > - better than many companies ...
>> 
>> I wouldn't say that.
> 
> Why?

Because.

> There are many companies who do not ever offer linux drivers,
> nor support developers to produce them.

They don't need to offer a Linux driver for their USB mouse.

Just to join _that_ thread into this one, for efficiency's sake.

>> > Do you provide the linux community with something as good as they
>> > do that is used by so many people for free? ...
>> 
>> I would give a ballpark estimate of around million people worldwide who are 
>> using my free software.  I don't know how that stacks up to the Nvidia's fan 
>> club.
> 
> You think courier mail is that popular?
> I have no idea :P

Well, you can begin with imap.spamcop.net, as a starting point, and go from 
there.

>> > Reading your comment seems to be very critical of nVidia.
>> > Though, of course, I could have read your comment wrong ...
>> 
>> Nope, you've got it pretty much nailed.
> 
> Meh - feel free to reply once more - but I shall not continue this
> since it has been debated before.

Come 'ere, and I'll bite ya kneecaps off!

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