[RndTbl] VIA releases source for Display and Wireless

[John D]

Got VIA ?  Once in a while they release chip info to FOSS folk.
Frequent? No. Welcome? Yes. (And No)

VIA Technologies Taiwan has (finally again) released
DISPLAY DRIVER INFO for their
Integrated Grfx Processors:
  Cn896 (Chrome9 HC)
  K8m890 (DeltaChrome)
  P4m900 (Chrome9)
  Vn896 (Chromotion, mobile)

Info includes:
  - SOURCE CODE (!)
  - Kernel Library
  - V0079 Application note (FC5)
  - V0079 Install Guide - Debian4, FC5/6, Mandriva2007
http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2&OSID=25&CatID=2580
_ _ _

VIA also released
NETWORKING DRIVER SOURCE CODE for their
vt6655 & vt6656 "Solomon" WIRELESS LAN ("WLAN") controllers
http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2&OSID=25&CatID=2590
_ _ _ _

VIA did this last back in 2005, with a Linux kernel 2.6.x source release for 
their CLe266 & Cn400 IGPs.  The Open community would, therefrom, advance into 
terror-tories beyond VIA's own binary releases.

That 2005 release was with usual press fanfare, but acrimony lurked.  Hardly 
compliant (enough) with tenets of OSS purist Lucas Verhaegen of 
TheUnichromeProject (stagnant since 2005mar), there was some dissent and 
pooh-pooh bandied about.

Shortly before he ousted the hwAcceleration feature from TUP, Verhaegen had 
branded the (rival?) separate project OpenChrome as a "fork".  The latter 
chose to maintain that popular hwAccel feature.  Hence, OpenChrome has since 
inherited "the wind".

Waaall, we'll see how hard she "blows" this time, mateys.  Aharrr.

Cap'n Johnny
big fan of Edubuntu
and Mint