i give up

[Beech Rintoul]

On Saturday 29 November 2008 14:56:47 Garrett Cooper wrote:
> On Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 1:42 PM, Alexander Churanov
>
> <alexanderchuranov at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Folks!
> >
> > I have some ideas on that. The problem is it's sometimes hard to check
> > that given hardware is supported by FreeBSD, even in case you know and
> > want to do it. The list of supported hardware is often written in terms
> > of chipsets and manufacturers often produce cards using supported chips,
> > but named after their own trademark.
> >
> > For example, at my location one of frequently sold TV card brands is
> > "beholder". It is not in the supported hw list. However, three years ago
> > I've installed ethernet cards named "compex" to PCs and they worked well
> > and were detected as "realtek". Given that, should one try "beholder" tv
> > card in the first place?
> >
> > The solution is to ask someone, or, better, to pay someone for providing
> > that knowledge. Computer shops rarely indicate that hardware is
> > compatible with FreeBSD. Whom to ask/pay? All this leads to idea of
> > creating some organization that will sell FreeBSD compatible PCs and
> > hardware. I'm sure, business like that can not exist , because FreeBSD
> > userbase is not largest. But non-profit organization, would, probably.
> >
> > Currently I have ordinary PC and several years ago it was running
> > Windows, now FreeBSD. Fortunately, all hardware works. Now I am thinking
> > of buying new PC and I would pay 10% extra for a brand PC with a sticker
> > "FreeBSD inside" or "Designed for FreeBSD". A shop like that would also
> > sell 100%-compatible photo cams, remote control units, etc.
> >
> > All of these is highly hypothetical, but probably is possible. 10% is a
> > good donation.
> >
> > Alexander Churanov
>
> There's a hardware compatibility page, but it's probably out of date /
> incorrect (I'm sure not all supported hardware is noted there --
> bsdstats might have more info):
> http://www.freebsd.org/releases/index.html (look under `Hardware
> Notes' for your given release).
>
> My mileage:
>
> - nVidia sucks for use on Unix platforms. Even under Linux I ran into
> a bunch of issues when building my PC last year, and I've discovered
> that if you're going to run Unix, stick to Intel chipsets.
> - nVidia chipsets (from my PoV -- I can be swayed) offer almost zero
> real advantage over Intel chipsets other than SLi. Then again I never
> have and never plan on running 2+ nVidia cards at once.
>
> So unfortunately by purchasing nVidia hardware you're kind of
> beckoning for problems, mostly because their datasheets and specs are
> more closed than Intel.

I just built a box and used an 8500 GT nVidia clone it's a medium range card 
and is fully supported by FreeBSD.

Beech

>
> There are also vendors who sell certified working FreeBSD desktops and
> laptops. Someone posted it on the list a few months back (questions@
> maybe) and that's all I can remember about that.
>
> -Garrett
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Beech Rintoul - FreeBSD Developer - beech at FreeBSD.org
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