Re: EVIL Matrox Graphics Inc , STEALS MGA Settings/VIRTUAL DESKTOP from Windows 98, 2000 etc

[Shan]

Mxsmanic wrote:
> rogerclive@rock.com writes:
>
> > The main feature in the Matrox Inc Video cards was their desktop
...
>
> Actually the main feature of their cards is the hardware.  The
desktop
> is a useless gadget, and I never even bother to install it.
>
> > Guess what this evil master-mind did ? In the software for Win 98,
Win
> > 2K and perhaps other versions, it downgraded its desktop in a
clearly
> > identifiable and treacherous way. It added a whole bunch of
> > non-sequitor bells and whistles and robbed its customers of the
> > jewel. The virtual desktop.
>
> Everything except the driver itself is _already_ a "bell and
whistle,"
> so why complain?
>
> The safe way to use video cards is to install nothing except the
correct
> driver.  This is often true for most other types of hardware as well.
> Using proprietary software provided by a hardware company is an
> invitation to trouble, in part because it locks you into a specific
> environment and configuration, and in part because the software
provided
> by hardware companies is often very poorly written.  It's a wonder if
> the drivers work, much less the rest.
>
> > It has created pollution worth $150 or so, more exactly
> > the cost/selling price of the card for every card that will be
thrown
> > away and destroyed because they stole away the main module and
compiled the
> > desktop software without it.
>
> Most people don't care about the extra gadgets and just buy the cards
> for the hardware.
>
> > Matrox must have sold atleast 200,000 such cards.
>
> And perhaps 20 customers actually use their gadget software with the
> cards.
>
> --
> Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me
directly.


Anyway this totally Off-topic on comp.lang.c++