Third-party MGA/MTX driver support under Linux!

[WyWyWyWy]

Do you know what is SciTech SNAP?
If not, have a look here:

http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=3145

Basically it is a driver set for Linux for and outside the constraints of XFree86 and the Linux kernel. Currenly the Parhelia is not on the compatibility list http://www.scitechsoft.com/chiplist/..._chiplist.html althought it COULD be compatible in the near future as the list is merely 1/3 of all supported gfx cards.

Hmm... does that mean we don't have to wait for THE Matrox software development team for their driver releases?

[albatorsk]

It MIGHT include Parhelia drives some time in the future, but consider this: you've already paid ~$400 for a card with "outspoken" support from the manufacturer. Do you want to pay even more just to get working drivers?

[Ribbit]

SNAP for OS/2 costs about $35, so assuming that the Linux version is about the same that's not that much on top of the price of a Parhelia. But if Linux support was important to you, you shouldn't have bought a P in the first place.

[albatorsk]

Originally posted by Ribbit
But if Linux support was important to you, you shouldn't have bought a P in the first place.

How was I supposed to know that? Matrox promised support from day one. Was there any special reason to believe Matrox was lying?

[Ribbit]

No, but all companies make promises

[leech]

I did email them about Parhelia support and this is what I got in reply:

" We plan to eventually include support for many cards, some not listed. However we don't publish those cards, nor any planned release date."

Leech

[albatorsk]

Ooh.. Looks like they've been taking classes in public relations from a Matrox employee.