[wellylug] Video support

[Wood Brent]

> 
> So would anyone like to recomend a video card that works ¨out of the box¨ 
> under linux?
> Want to build an intel system proably use Abits BH7 board which only supports
> 4X AGP. Can´t deside between Nvidia or ATI with drivers being the biggest 
> issue.


I have found the nVidia drivers, while proprietary, do work well & are simpler
to install than the ATi ones.

If you purchase a commercial Mandrake 9.1 set, instead of the downloadable
CD's, you'll find they include the proprietary drivers & will automagically
install these for you. The install from the downloaded drivers from the nVidia
site is also pretty foolproof. (so far anyway: just run the binary & it does it
all for you) There has been a bit of discussion regarding the use of RPM's vs
proprietary installation systems, but it has worked for me....

I stuck a TV capture card in an nForce2 Shuttle with dual onboard GeForce4 MX
graphics. The commercial Mandrake got the complete install for the TV card &
video chipset correct, with no hunting the net, downloading, installing,
configuring, insmod'ing etc. (I haven't played with dual screens on this
installation yet, but it did work on my prior installation with the free
version)

While it does cost more than the "free" Mandrake version, the saving in my time
& blood pressure was well worth it :-)



For a specific card, have a browse at 
http://www.bdt.co.nz/computer/group.asp?cat=3151

you'll only see recommended retail, but they have ATi, nVidia & Matrox based
cards, all of which supposedly run well under Linux (rather under X). I can
give you a "real" price, generally about 10% less than listed if you let me
know which cards are of interest. (note: the Leadtech TV card does work well
under Linux :-)


Cheers,

   Brent Wood