An Interview with Jeryuan Yan

After we had presented our findings regarding the status of current generation XGI Linux display drivers, in our article entitled The State of XGI Linux Display Drivers, we felt the need to investigate XGI's driver development even further. To answer some of our more challenging questions, we turned directly to XGI. In this exclusive interview, we are questioning Jeryuan Yan, the BD (Business Development) manager, of XGI Technology.

Phoronix: Are you able to tell us a bit about yourself and your position at XGI Technology?

Jeryuan: Yes, I am Jeryuan Yan, business development department manager at XGI Technology Inc.

Phoronix: Currently XGI is widely criticized when it comes down to the driver quality, with both the Linux and Windows versions, when compared against your competitor's drivers. Do you have anything to say about the quality of your drivers?

Jeryuan: We are currently updating our drivers every 4-6 weeks to provide the most compatible driver possible.

Phoronix: At this time, XGI has no support for the Linux 2.6 kernel, do you have any time-frame until the 2.6 kernel will be fully supported?

Jeryuan: We released Linux driver source code to X.org and kernel.org. Developers may feel free to modify the code to fit different Linux distributions. And there will be an official driver release for supporting Linux 2.6 kernel in September 2005 from XGI Linux driver team.

Phoronix: Looking at all of your Linux driver releases, there appears to be no set pattern as to the time between releases. With the alternative OS world moving so fast why doesn't XGI focus on offering scheduled releases so users who wish to remain up-to-date with their kernel and X Window System don't have to wait long periods of time for the drivers to come about?

Jeryuan: Actually we are making a plan for this. The plan reveals our Linux supporting schedule and feature enhancement that is coming next Friday.

Phoronix: Are there any plans in the near future for implementing overclocking support to your Linux drivers, similar to what has been done with the Windows Reactor drivers?

Jeryuan: No but it could be taken into consideration for future plan.

Phoronix: Is there any fully loaded graphical control panel in the works for XGI Linux display drivers, so the user can have full control over all of the video settings?

Jeryuan: Not yet, but we have put it on the todo list for XG40, XG45, XG47, and XG50. Detail can be found in our upcoming Linux supporting plan.

Phoronix: Earlier this year, XGI had stirred up quite a bit of attention in the open-source community when you had announced that the XGI Linux driver source-code would be released. Still to this date, we have yet to see any code for the 3D acceleration drivers, but merely 2D, are there any plans for making the 3D code entirely available to the public?

Jeryuan: 3D programming guide and register information will release to particular developers under NDA. I am working close to some key developers at X.org as well as independent experts for making this happen. We will provide fully support to help OOS community building a 3D accelerated Volari driver for Linux.

Phoronix: Don't you feel that if ALL of the driver code was released to the open-source community, that these drivers would mature faster, thus allowing XGI Linux users to finally experience the full potential of their XGI graphics cards when gaming? Furthermore, your sales would be likely to increase from alternative OS users purchasing your products.

Jeryuan: We will consider your suggestion.

Phoronix: Are you currently working with any Linux distributions for getting XGI drivers bundled with their releases? If so, which distributions are you actively working with?

Jeryuan: Yes, SuSE already included our driver into their distribution and we are working with other Linux vendors now.

Phoronix: Thanks for taking the time for doing this, is there anything else you would like to say?

Jeryuan: You are welcome.