Comment 62 for bug 494699

Hey there.
For all Linux users with older Ati graphic cards. Give up struggling with drivers for 9,04, 9,10 and the upcoming 10,04, it's not gonna work. That goes for the open source drivers as well. The proprietary driver in 8,04 still works for older Ati cards, like 9200 for instance. You can get 8,04 at this page:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/hardy/ (PC (Intel x86) desktop CD).
Use that instead. Install it, let it update, and after updating it will automatically notify you about the proprietary driver. It can't get any easier. I just checked before writing this. The driver is there, and it works. So don't let anyone tell you that the driver has been removed by Ati, like a lot of people claim.
8,04 is a LTS version (long time support) and is supported till 24-4-2011, and will of course still be working after that time.
For users with newer Ati cards: You have my deepest sympathies. You're properly gonna have a lot of trouble, and you might realize that you made a bad investment (but don't let it scare you from using Linux). There's a very good reason for the existence of open source drivers for Ati cards, all though they are not very good either. As far as I know there's no open source drivers for Nvidia cards. There's also a good reason for that. Keep that in mind the next time you invest in new gear. It will make your life so much easier.
I have Nvidia on all my machines, except on an old Acer laptop with Radeon Mobility 9200. I use 8,04 on that one, and it works great. With only a very few exceptions all the software you find for the newer versions is available in 8,04. You should not be missing anything by using it.
I really love Ubuntu and it just gets better for every version, when using Nvidia. Intel graphics is'nt bad either. But I think it might would be a good idea for Ubuntu developers to slow down just a little bit, and make sure the existing Ati drivers that worked in earlier versions, still works in the new ones (and is easy to install for new users). Linux has always had a reputation of being great to install on older machines because it kinda bring new life to them. A lot of new users is being introduced to Linux that way. If their first experience is massive problems, they might never wanna use it again. If you surf the net, you will properly find hundreds (if not thousands) of pages with people complaining about Ati drivers for Linux. Of course Ati/Amd is to blame for that. On the other hand Ubuntu have their part of the blame as well, constantly changing the operating system without making sure of compatibility with existing drivers and other software. Fast development has its upsides, but also its downsides. If you should rewrite the drivers you provide, perhaps every six month, wouldnt you get a little tired of it?
(Lets not forget that Ati is the most selling card. At least at the moment. A little something to keep in mind).
In my opinion Ubuntu is already great as it is. Instead of changing color, layout and other rather pointless changes and call it a new version, I think they should make sure that it works for everyone, and keeps working.
With all that said, Linux IS the best.