Author: JT Smith
“Even though this is a ‘first pass’ version of the Linux Wildcat II 5110 driver, its performance is already close to the performance available on Windows 2000,” noted Jon Trulson, Xi Graphics engineering manager. “With this release, we have definitely moved Linux to the forefront of Workstation graphics on Intel/AMD 32-bit platforms,” Trulson continued.
Xi Graphics also released a Solaris version of the Wildcat driver. According to Trulson, the new Summit v2.0 OpenGL rendering pipeline was able to handle the speed and complexity of the Wildcat hardware for each operating system with ease. “Wildcat II was a real test of the architecture of our new 3D pipeline introduced last month,” Trulson said. “We released the two Wildcat drivers in record time from when we first saw the documentation from 3Dlabs, so the pipeline really passed the test with flying colors.”
Xi Graphics and 3Dlabs have worked closely together over the years so that Xi Graphics could independently provide its customers graphics support for 3Dlabs graphics cards on Linux and other UNIX systems. “As the professional market for high-end Linux workstations continues to grow, 3Dlabs is pleased that Xi Graphics has chosen to support the world’s fastest graphics accelerator, the Wildcat II 5110,” said Jeff Little, director of product marketing for the 3Dlabs Wildcat product line.
The Wildcat 5110 Linux and Solaris OpenGL drivers are available as downloadable full-function demos from Xi Graphics’ Web site, www.xig.com. A License Key can be purchased on-line for $379 that unlocks a demo (turns off the timers), making the package permanent.
Customer service from Xi Graphics for this and all of its graphics products whether on Linux or other operating systems is free. “Providing free customer support for our products means we have to have high-quality products,” Trulson commented. “This is different from most Linux software suppliers, who oftentimes give away their code and then charge for servicing it. We think our model is better for our customers, and it sure keeps us on our quality toes.”
About Xi Graphics Inc.
Xi Graphics Inc., developers of the Accelerated-X Display Server product line, provides premier graphics system software for Linux and UNIX operating systems, including desktops, laptops, and multi-head configurations with 2D and 3D hardware acceleration. Founded in 1994, Xi Graphics is a privately held corporation located in Denver, Colorado, providing retail products sold direct and through resellers and OEM’s worldwide. Products include free customer support via phone and e-mail. For more information, contact Xi Graphics at 800-946-7433 or visit their Web site at www.xig.com.
Xi Graphics is a member of the Video Electronics Standards Association, The Open Group’s X Project Team and a member of the Board of Linux International.
About 3Dlabs
3Dlabs (NASDAQ: TDDD) is the workstation graphics authority, supplying graphics accelerator solutions for professionals in Computer Aided Design (CAD), Digital Content Creation (DCC), and visual simulation markets. 3Dlabs shipped more 3D workstation-class graphics controllers in 2000 than any other company. Its award-winning Oxygen and Wildcat graphics are available in the industry’s top OEM workstations, to the channel through an international distributor/reseller network, and directly to end-users at 3Dlabs’ online store. For more information on 3Dlabs, visit www.3dlabs.com.
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