nVidia shuns the BSD community, again

List:     openbsd-misc
Subject:  nVidia hardware
From:     Theo de Raadt


Date:     2003-07-22 20:05:46

I'm going to go on record and advise our entire user community to
avoid (any and all) nVidia hardware until the problem described below
is solved.

http://docs.freebsd.org/cgi/getmsg.cgi?fetch=206419+0+current/freebsd-hackers
"

"Original call to the BSD community from FreeBSD's, Bill Paul: freebsd-hackers archive

This only made it to one list the first time, trying again. These
newfangled computer things clearly can't be trusted.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok, so, it occured to me recently to try to convince nVidia to cough
up programming documentation for their MCP ethernet controller.

However, in order to do that, I need to be able to show that
there is in fact sufficient demand for a FreeBSD (or even NetBSD
or OpenBSD) driver to make it worth their while. nVidia doesn't
listen to end users, only OEMs, and if the OEMs don't ask for
support for a given OS, then support will not materialize. My
goal is to convince them to pull their heads far enough out from
between their legs to realize that Linux is not the be-all, end-all
of open source, and that just because OEMs haven't mentioned
FreeBSD, NetBSD or OpenBSD by name doesn't mean there aren't
people who want MCP ethernet support in BSD.

For this, I need your help. What I need is to gather proof of
demand. What I want you do to is e-mail me (oh god, I can't believe
I'm setting myself up for this) if:

- You wanted to purchase a computer system with an nVidia nForce2
  chipset but _didn't_ once you realized there was no BSD driver
  support for the on-board ethernet.

- You bought an nVidia nForce2 system without realizing the on-board
  ethernet wasn't supported in BSD, were really disappointed once
  you found out, and complained to the manufacturer _OR_ you wanted
  to complain but didn't (because you weren't sure who to complain
  to, or you didn't get around to it yet, or you forgot, or you were
  abducted by aliens, or your dog ate your homework, or whatever).

- You are in a position to approve or recommend the purchase of
  a computer system (or several systems) for your company, research
  group, espionage organization or other institution with money to
  spend, but won't because there's no BSD driver support for the
  on-board ethernet.

- You never heard of nVidia, the nForce2 or the MCP ethernet controller
  until I mentioned them, but now that you have, and you've gone out
  and searched the interweb or visited your local computer store, you
  think they're all really spiffy and would happily buy an nForce2
  system, but will hold off until there's a BSD driver for the
  on-board ethernet.

- You want to give me free large bags of cash.

Do *NOT* e-mail me if:

- You want me to help you transfer a large sum of money out of Nigeria
  or some other African nation.

- You think I'm dying of cancer and my dying wish is to collect
  e-mails from all over the world.

- You think I want to MAKE MONEY FAST (if I wanted to do that,
  I wouldn't be writing device drivers for free).

- You work for SCO or the RIAA.

I think you get the idea. Consider it a petition of sorts. All I
need is an e-mail from you, with a line or two explaining your
particular circumstances. If you did not buy an nForce2-based
computer due to lack of BSD support, say so. If you did, but you
were pissed by the lack of BSD support, say so. If you told your
friends, relatives, cow-orkers or purchasing office not to buy
nForce2-based computers because of the lack of BSD support, say so.
Cite the OEM vendor of the computer (or computer) and the model
(or models) where appropriate. If more than one computer was
involved, say how many.

Every lost sale or dissatisfied customer I can present as evidence
makes it that much easier to convince nVidia to unclench its
tight... fists... and provide the documentation needed to write
a BSD driver.

NOTE: Please do make up phony e-mails just to bloat the figures or
or cobble together a perl script to send me hundreds of auto-generated
messages from forged addresses. Play nice, you scum.

So, send your cards and letters to wpaul@freebsd.org. And don't be
afraid to spread the word. Ask other people on other mailing lists.
Ask your friends. Ask your enemies. Ask not what your OS can do for
you: ask what you can do for your OS.

-Bill"

We've seen what community pressure can do in the past, so if this is something you believe in, compose a letter to someone at nVidia and politely and professionally make your case. Send this letter to Bill Paul who is coordinating the whole thing (ensuring it gets seen by the right people and the like). Together, we know the community can make a difference.