NOTE: this post is aimed at Ubuntu Dapper users only (at least for the moment).
I have started a community project thanks to which Ubuntu’s community can have the latest driver for ATI and Nvidia cards simply by adding a repository and performing an upgrade.
All the users who are interested to participate can install the drivers and share their experience on the following thread of ubuntuforums.org so that the drivers can be tested on as many machines as possible:
Feedback thread
The only problem is that I cannot test them on all the graphic cards on the market. I have used the drivers for a while with no problems whatsoever but I cannot assure you that they will work flawlessly on your computer.
Use the drivers at your own risk.
Only after proper testing they will be deemed stable.
2 kinds of repositories are currently supported:
* LEGACY REPOSITORIES: These repositories contain the following drivers: ATI 8.28.8, NVIDIA 8774 and 7184
their driver won’t be updated so as not to break the compatibility with older cards (especially as far as the ATI driver is concerned)
* NON-LEGACY REPOSITORIES: These repositories contain the following drivers: ATI 8.29.6, NVIDIA 8774 and 7184
their driver will always be the latest (stable) release.
I had to pay 105$ for the webspace for this project (which needs a certain amount of bandwidth) (actually it’s a gift from my parents since I don’t have a job) for a year.
I hope that Canonical will consider the possibility of providing me with some space and bandwidth for the repositories and integrate this project so that I (and all the testers on the forums) can collaborate with the developers.