I just switched to Gentoo after having used Ubuntu for a little over a year, and I want to use Compiz. I was following this guide but when I open a terminal and run compiz-manager, I get a "white screen of death" and have to Ctrl+Alt+Backspace and login. I'm using the xf86-video-radeonhd driver with an ATI Radeon X1650. Help would be MUCH appreciated!

read this forum all of it before you do stuff.

Is there a guide that explains how to get Compiz working with a free driver? I don't want to use the proprietary one.

proprietary one. means it is written by the company for linux but they will not give up the source code for money it is free. If you do not know what free software is then read this. Linux is free. but some Linux systems cost money but they have free software Nvidia writes the software for Linux the software cost you no money but it is not free software. Ubuntu uses tons of non-free software how much does it cost nothing. Gentoo uses none free software how much did it cost you. adobe writes flash for Linux how much did it cost you.Nothing but the software is not free. take it easy

I'm quite aware of what GNU and Free Software are. I avoid using proprietary/non-free software as a matter of principle, even Adobe's flash plugin (which I've heard doesn't run very well on 64-bit operating systems). Using a non-free driver is often more convenient and gives the user a better experience, but at the cost of surrendering to the dark side and betraying the free software community.

I was able to run Compiz-Fusion with Ubuntu 8.10 without having to "upgrade" to the non-free driver, so I know it must be possible to get the same functionality out of Gentoo. I've actually made some progress since my last post. I can get Compiz working by running compiz-manager, but not without it killing Metacity. I tried enabling Window Decoration in the Compiz Settings Manager, but I can't move or resize windows (minimize, maximize and close buttons work though), and relaunching Metacity kills Compiz. Here's the output of compiz-manager:

I have never been able to run 3d acceleration on a Nvidia card with the linux native nvidiafb.ko module. it uses frame buffering and I guess if you want to try and do things like put a xgl server in it like the ati cards. go ahead but I just build the Nvidia driver that comes out every 3 to 4 months written by the company just for linux not bad I wish all companies supported Linux like nvidia. the installer is actually open source.

Nvidia is running class here at the U of I on there new stuff and support for open source.
Thought an old Fart like me might dress up as a professor and just sneak in and listen lol.
I have a bike shop on campus It Urbana IL. And the computer research here keeps me on the bleeding edge of the new systems and stuff. It is wonderful to see that the students here have to learn how to compile a kernel and learn linux right from the start.