After several beta versions, Nvidia has released version 190.42 of their graphics drivers for Linux. [...]

Like I told you yesterday, Nvidia recently released two new versions of its Linux graphic drivers: 185.18.36 stable version and 190.25 beta.

Nvidia updated both the stable and beta drivers for Linux.

185.18.36 (stable) release highlights:

* Fixed a bug that caused kernel panics when starting X on some mobile GPUs.

With ATI Catalyst 9.8, ATI finally has support for newer kernels. The Linux 2.6.29 kernel was released in March, but it has taken until today for AMD to release any support for this kernel. However, at the same time, they have also released support for the Linux 2.6.30 kernel, which arrived back in June.

There is hope for Ubuntu users with Intel graphics. As it appears, the current 2D drivers solve most of the recent graphics problems with Intel chips, according to Ubuntu developer Bryce Harrington in a developer mailing list. Jaunty users should profit it from them as well.

You can now reduce the wait for the latest graphic card driver in Ubuntu, which will only be available in a few months. There is an Ubuntu repository periodically updated with the latest open source drivers included in the xorg project.

If you want to install Nvidia drivers in Ubuntu Feisty and above versions is very easy to install. Ubuntu doesn’t include Nvidia drivers in a default installation for a number of reasons.

I have done a bit of testing for Ubuntu 7.10 “Gutsy Gibbon” on some of our classroom machines this week. These machines are Dell Dimension 4600 with ATI Radeon video cards. Well, as has been my experience with ATI and nVidia with Linux they are a pain in the butt. …all ranting aside I wanted to share how I got them to work on Ubuntu 7.10.

AMD briefed Linux.com this morning on a pending announcement regarding the open sourcing of drivers for ATI graphics cards. It's official -- AMD will make code and specifications for ATI graphics cards available on the Internet on September 10.

Currently, GNU/Linux users with Nvidia graphics cards have two choices: Either use the proprietary drivers and violate their free software principles, or use the free nv driver and do without 3-D acceleration. The Nouveau project is working to overcome this dilemma by producing its own set of fully functional free Nvidia drivers.