On Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 10:36:27PM -0400, Nick Holland wrote:

quoted text
> Douglas A. Tutty wrote:

> > I've been evaluating OpenBSD as a desktop system while learning about it

> > on my lesser (older) hardware.  I've learned a lot and will continue to

> > learn about OpenBSD but I don't think it will work as my primary

> > desktop.

> >

> > Based on what I've learned here on Misc, I'd like to start a discussion

> > about extending the answer to the OpenBSD FAQ # 1.10: "Can I use OpenBSD

> > as a Desktop System?"  While of course every potential new user has to

> > evaluate OpenBSD for themselves, we could and I believe we should point

> > out some of the more common tripping points found by people who end up

> > not choosing OpenBSD for their desktop.

>

> 1) We don't do "discussions".

> 2) See rule #1 :)

>

> ...

> > I think the following paragraphs would enhance the FAQ to provide

> > the person new to the OpenBSD focus a heads up on some of the

> > difficulties.

> >

> > # >8--

> > However, it is also worth noting that some desktop needs and uses are

> > incompatible with the focus of OBSD.  There are currently no video cards

> > that provide full specs to create open drivers for all hardware

> > function, most notibly 3D accelleration.  While more than adequate for

> > most uses of the X-Window system, performance while watching movies,

> > playing games, or graphic design, may be suboptimal or not possible

> > depending on your hardware and expectations.

>

> Wow, you determined a lot from your experience with your 486...

>

> Never found a use for "3D acceleration" myself.  Seems to be mostly

> for games and, well, games.

> 

There are other uses. Like the silly 3D accelerated window managers (as

a cwm user it's obvious I see no need for that). There's also other

uses. For example last year for my final year university project I wrote

a visualisation app. using vtk[1], I wrote it on OpenBSD. Of course I'd

have liked acceleration then, it would have run faster (software GL

isn't very fast).
Then again I'm currently attempting to port the DRM (direct rendering

manager) to OpenBSD, so I'm not whinging about it.
Regards,
-0-
[1] http://vtk.org

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