Ubuntu downgrades PowerPC, cuts proprietary video drivers

According to Linux.com, Ubuntu CTO Matt Zimmerman said Feisty Fawn, which comes out in spring, does not mean that Ubuntu will be completely clean of proprietary software.

The Linux based operating system will have closed source drivers "where necessary to provide sufficient hardware support" for wireless network cards and other devices.

Zimmerman says that the "infrastructure" for setting up proprietary drivers and 3-D support should be in Feisty.

Ubuntu would probably like to install the Nouveau driver, which is being developed as a replacement for the proprietary Nvidia drivers. But it looks like that project will see the light of day before this year ends.

PowerPC packages and ISOs will still be produced, but it will not be a priority. And if Ubuntu has any difficulties with getting the software to run on PowerPC software it will still be released.

Apparently, the reason that Ubuntu lost interest in the PowerPC format was that they could not find anyone to sponsor it.

While upcoming releases of Ubuntu will not have official PowerPC releases, Ubuntu will continue to support the existing PowerPC Long Term Support (LTS) release through 2011 for PowerPC servers, and through 2009 for PowerPC desktops. µ