1. OpenGL nicole hart csis 4490 khoganson

2. What is OpenGL? -OpenGL is a hardware independent 2D and 3D rendering and 3D hardware acceleration standard. -OpenGL makes 3D effects possible without system degradation. -OpenGL has been successful because of it’s unrestrictive licensing system. The royalty free system benefits hardware makers. What is OpenGL? -OpenGL is a hardware independent 2D and 3D rendering and 3D hardware acceleration standard. -OpenGL makes 3D effects possible without system degradation. -OpenGL has been successful because of it’s unrestrictive licensing system. The royalty free system benefits hardware makers.

3. OpenGL makes available to the programmer a small set of geometric primitives - points, lines, polygons, images, and bitmaps. OpenGL makes available to the programmer a small set of geometric primitives - points, lines, polygons, images, and bitmaps. It provides a set of commands that allow the specification of geometric objects in two or three dimensions, using the provided primitives, together with commands that control how these objects are rendered into the frame buffer. It provides a set of commands that allow the specification of geometric objects in two or three dimensions, using the provided primitives, together with commands that control how these objects are rendered into the frame buffer.

4. Why is it important to Linux? Portability. OpenGL is hardware independent - OpenGL runtime libraries ship with all Windows, MacOS, Linux and Unix Sytems. Stability- High end workstation and supercomputer users have been utilizing OpenGL technologies since 1992. Performance & Expandability - OpenGL is considered to be one the most powerful and popular 3D solution for Windows, Linux, and Mac computers alike. Most leading games such as Quake III, Half-Life, MDK2, Madden NFL 2001 require OpenGL for hardware acceleration. Why is it important to Linux? Portability. OpenGL is hardware independent - OpenGL runtime libraries ship with all Windows, MacOS, Linux and Unix Sytems. Stability- High end workstation and supercomputer users have been utilizing OpenGL technologies since 1992. Performance & Expandability - OpenGL is considered to be one the most powerful and popular 3D solution for Windows, Linux, and Mac computers alike. Most leading games such as Quake III, Half-Life, MDK2, Madden NFL 2001 require OpenGL for hardware acceleration.

5. Recent Events OpenGL 2.0. – A 3DLabs Project OpenGL 2.0 is designed to: - add support for pixel and fragment shaders - improve memory management and give applications more control over the rendering pipeline. - Provide compatibility with OpenGL 1.3 - so older applications will run on graphics accelerators with OpenGL 2.0 drivers.

6. “3D Graphics World Shaken by Patent Claims” “Microsoft Stakes IP Claim on openGL” Recent Events

7. Microsoft and OpenGL? In January of 2002, Microsoft purchased “unspecified” Intellectual Property rights from Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI) for $62.5 million The “Non- Core Technologies” sold were said to represent the bulk of SGI’s IP assets. Microsoft isn’t a hardware vendor so why the vested interested in OpenGL? Microsoft allegedly needed these technologies to launch as scheduled. Microsoft and OpenGL? In January of 2002, Microsoft purchased “unspecified” Intellectual Property rights from Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI) for $62.5 million The “Non- Core Technologies” sold were said to represent the bulk of SGI’s IP assets. Microsoft isn’t a hardware vendor so why the vested interested in OpenGL? Microsoft allegedly needed these technologies to launch as scheduled.

8. March 2002, Microsoft stated it’s claim with the OpenGL Architectural Review Board. Linux Impact Microsoft’s full position is still unclear. - 1:1 IP exchange with companies using OpenGL 1.4, 1.3 and earlier versions versions - What could New companies entering the market that need OpenGL technology offer Microsoft? that need OpenGL technology offer Microsoft? -The acquisition not only gives Microsoft a competitive advantage in the console business but also significant bargaining position with the console business but also significant bargaining position with hardware vendors. hardware vendors. - KDE’s key developer, Hetz Ben Hamo, speculates MS may try to kill MESA, an OpenGL clone, unless MESA pays licensing fees. MESA, an OpenGL clone, unless MESA pays licensing fees.

9. Other companies have claims other technology in the Other companies have claims other technology in the OpenGL standard, but have chosen to forego those claims so that OpenGL can continue to prosper and remain royalty OpenGL standard, but have chosen to forego those claims so that OpenGL can continue to prosper and remain royalty free. free. Because Microsoft’s position is “unclear”, the impact of Because Microsoft’s position is “unclear”, the impact of Microsoft holding an OpenGL IP can only be speculated. Microsoft holding an OpenGL IP can only be speculated.Consider: Is the Open source premise that many Linux and Unix systems in jeopardy?

10. Sources: http://www.slashdot.org www.slashdot.org http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269- s2118968,00.html http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269- s2118968,00.html