3d acceleration

[sammi.jo]

This sounds like a weird question, but..

When I used Vista on this very here laptop, I could use pretty much all desktop effects on there. I used aero and stuff, anyway.

Now I'm on Linux (Ubuntu and Mint), I can't use compiz in gnome because it reckons that there's no 3d acceleration supported by my card (VIA, by the way).

I can use the standard compositor in XFCE, but I'm waiting for the next XFCE to come out until I reinstall it.

So,

1) Can anybody really explain this 3d acceleration thing
2) Is there an alternative to compiz in gnome, til I get to XFCE, or a way to use XFCE in gnome (I doubt this, but it's worth a try).

[Shazaam]

Do you have the drivers loaded for your graphics card? I think the "Restricted Drivers Manager" (or whatever it's called in Hardy) can help you out.
If that doesn't help have you been here yet?...
http://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2&OSID=45&CatID=3220

[bingoUV]

It is not easy with VIA chipset graphics. Read http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/showthread.php?t=7512