Display Controls And Linux: Poor Combination

Let’s face it: some distributions have better controls for handling display issues than others. Two that do it right out of the box that come to mind include Fedora (Red Hat) and OpenSuSE (Novell). Each includes tools that minimize the need to do what I gleefully refer to as the “Xorg dance.” Basically, these options mean you are going to be spending more time exploring what these distros have to offer, yet less time wondering why your resolution looks completely off.

Unfortunately, even with the latest release of Ubuntu, we have yet to see this level of functionality. Thankfully, there are a couple of projects that are working to take this problem of display control head on, but to do so in such a way as not to create new problems later on down the road with the next release of Ubuntu will be an interesting challenge.

Two Options Are Better Than One. The biggest need behind display projects would have be the lack of a GUI method for extending ones desktop onto a second monitor, in addition to taking complete control over the resolution when you need to make necessary adjustments.

Now, to be fair, NVIDIA already offers this functionality to some extent with a small application bundled with their Linux video driver. But many Ubuntu users are left with asking more, so this is hopefully where two similar projects come into play. The first and most commonly known is called ” DisplayConfigGTK.” The most likely to be included with any future releases of Ubuntu, this utility is said to hold the most promise overall. Personally, I suspect that this could change, however, should Alberto’s application come to be here soon.

From what I have seen so far, I do not see why the two previously mentioned projects don’t take the best features and progress made from each, then bundle them together into one single project with similar aims. No idea as to whether or not it will happen, but nevertheless, it does maintain a certain level of login to it.

Why Wasn’t This Level of Functionality Built in the First Time? How come we did not see simple, obvious, GUI controls for display changes that were made apparent way back when with older revisions of Ubuntu? Simple, it was a matter of utilizing resources properly the first time. At the time, basic display functions were there and simply editing the Xorg was apparently seen as all right at the time. Well, considering the ever-expanding Ubuntu distro, it’s great to see some truly usable resources being put into this, thanks in part by the community.

Settling on UI Layouts and Other Considerations. With xserver fallback considerations, existing alternatives with bundled with the NVIDIA driver set for Linux and the fact that there is always the concern of “hosing X” with a beta release of either, I think all of us will have to collectively work together to support and remain patient with the efforts behind each project.

With that said, my money is on Alberto’s efforts. He already has a proven track record that I’m able to use today. That and any bugs with his previous project have always been met head on and then fixed accordingly.

Closing Thoughts. Any effort to move forward is better than merely whining about the lack of something on the Ubuntu desktop. Efforts made in giving us better display controls in a GUI format will take time, that, and help from end users like us to help beta test the latest releases. It will be a two-part partnership that will translate into success for Ubuntu and Debian users alike. In the end, it is all of us that make the various distros a viable alternative to their closed source brethren.

This article has been republished with the kind permission of our friends at Mad Penguin. For more news about the Open Source community, go give ‘em a look or Subscribe to Mad Penguin’s RSS Feed!

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[tags]Linux, Open Source, display controls[/tags]