Is installing drivers necessary?

[Fred Roller]

On Sat, 2009-07-11 at 00:20 +0800, Roy M. wrote:
> But do I need to install custom drivers for performance?
> 
> E.g. display card, sound card, network card etc.?

Typically, no.  If there are specific drivers for hardware available
then you will normally get a "Restricted Driver" notification (PCI card
looking icon in your tray, upper right).  This will inform you that a
manufacturer has provided there own linux driver and you have to give
permission to activate it.  For example, I have an nVidia video card and
a Broadcom wireless card.  Both have default drivers but performance is
improved with the Restricted Drivers.  Other drivers may be available
but you have to manually install them and at this point if your system
is not having any issues just work with it for a bit to get a better
feel for your new operating system.

-- 
Fred R.
www.fwrgallery.com

"Life is like Linux, simple.  If you are fighting it, you are doing
something wrong."