From: Adam Goldberg (adam@microware.com)
Date: 02/15/93


From: adam@microware.com (Adam Goldberg)
Subject: XFree86 1.2 & Diamond SpeedStar 24 (NOT X)
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1993 14:29:45 GMT

dwex@mtgzfs3.att.com writes:

> Announcing XFree86 1.2
> ----------------------
> February 15, 1993

> [...]

>It appears that some of the SVGA card manufacturers are going to
>non-traditional mechanisms for selecting pixel-clock frequencies. To
>avoid having to modify the server to accommodate these schemes XFree86
>1.2 adds support for using an external program to select the pixel
>clock. This allows programs to be written as new mechanisms are
>discovered. Refer to the README.clkprog file for information on how
>these programs work, if you need to write one. If you do develop such
>a program, we would be interested in including it with future XFree86
>releases.

>NOTE: The Diamond SpeedStar 24 (and possibly recent SpeedStar+) boards
> are NOT supported, even though they use the ET4000. The reason
> for this is that Diamond has changed the mechanism used to select
> pixel clock frequencies, and will only release programming information
> under non-disclosure. We are not willing to do this (as it would
> mean that source cannot be provided). We have had discussions with
> Diamond over this, and they do not intend to change this policy.
> Hence we will do nothing to support Diamond products going forward
> (i.e. don't send us a program to run set their clocks).

For those of us stuck with a SpeedStar 24 bought before it became
apparent that Diamond was determined to be a corporat a**hole, does
anyone intend on obtaining the non-discloseable dot-clock setting
code, creating a clock-frequency program and distributing it in binary
form (not violating the non-disclosure)?

If so, I'd be very interested in hearing about it/from you.

Adam

-- 
Adam G.
adamg@microware.com, or ...!uunet!mcrware!adamg
The above is not to be construed in any way as the official or unofficial
statements of Microware, or any Microware employees.