[Open-graphics] Introduction.

[Kent Rosenkoetter]

Sorry to keep this argument alive, but I noticed...

On Thu, 02 Dec 2004 13:32:57 -0600, Gregory G Carter <gcarter at aesgi.com> wrote:
> 
> Microsoft is interested in ANY project that allows Linux to break into
> its existing markets.
> 
> A open video card using a graphics license not controlled by Microsoft
> to write games, the largest windows application market is a threat to them.

This card is not and never was targeted for gaming. It is targeted at
desktops compositing windows and overlays, not 60 fps bumpmapping.
(Though I pine for a 3D workstation card myself.)

> OpenGL is a threat to Microsoft.

Granted. Hence ten versions of DirectX, even after the first half of
them sucked.

> Has nothing to do with windows, but it is a big threat to revenue and
> licensing.  Espeically, if everyone started writing games for OpenGL
> instead of Direct 3D.

I think Carmack is the main mover here, not TS.  ;)

> (i.e. Company X starts making the card and finds it is very popular and
> profitable because the IP is wholly open, and no royalties have to be
> paid to Microsoft.  If such a card ships with Super Duper openGL drivers
> and game developers decide to dump Direct X and go with openGL, then you
> will get Microsoft's attention.)

> What do you think would happen, if ATI or Nvidia shipped drivers that
> where better than Direct X, using openGL?

Actually, this does happen. Just over a year ago I was using a 3DLabs
VP on Windows 2000 with the latest drivers (was testing the OpenGL 2.0
pre-alpha stuff). The OpenGL drivers were excellent. Hefty multi-pass
algorithms with strange state combinations worked without a hitch (and
thanks to the beefy hardware, with negligible CPU). However, any
Direct3D program I tried to run would wreak havoc. I had to reboot
several times. Browsing their forums showed that DirectX support for
their cards was just sad. Microsoft is definitely trying to break into
the 3D workstation market, they just can't do it. I dare say most
Wildcat owners are running MS Windows, but MS doesn't retaliate
against 3DLabs for producing superior OpenGL support.

Kent Rosenkoetter
-- 
        The world before the fall
        Delightful is the light of dawn
        Noble is the heart of man...
                        -Cyan Garamonde, Final Fantasy VI