What a shame, after all, and why ??
I still miss any clue now, retrospectively, why AMD bought ATI in the first place. Was it just a misguided, expensive, idea ?
When they did it, I was so very sure to see an eco-system coming up, supporting e.g. Free and Open Source. Everyone knows that the 'alternative' people had a tendency to prefer AMD / ATI to Intel / Nvidia. Now the last card I can't run with DRI on my systems is from ATI. No, not even with a binary blob. Intel beat them to a free driver !
And where is all that synergy; the single-chip implementation of graphics on the same wafer as CPU (or vice versa) ? 17 months ago I could buy a Sempron classified 35W, now my Semprons will be in the 45W class; and without graphics included. Where is the progress ?
I don't feel like blaming AMD on the mess with Barcelona. They couldn't know. But at buying ATI they should have known better about the other 2 items mentioned above. Looks like they took the liberty and decide blindly, doesn't it !