2.6.14 kernel is released. Integrated IPW2100 driver!

But, why won't the ati (8.18.8) drivers compile against it?

The proprietary video drivers from both ATI and Nvidia tend to lag behind the kernel releases because the manufacturers won't start working on them until they are released.

While they have access to the in-development code (as do we all), being for-profit businesses they allocate their resources where it makes the most sense. Instead of coding to the first release candidate and then trying to keep up with each change, they wait and code to the final release.

That makes economic sense for them, but it can be frustrating if you are waiting for a kernel feature/function/bugfix. It's the downside of proprietary drivers; no one but the company can do the work. If it were open source and part of the kernel release, it would work on day one, and they wouldn't have to spend as much time and money to maintain the code.

However, doing that means that they have to give up their trade secrets, and they are not willing to do that. As long as people keep buying their products (and it's not as if there's any choice), they have no particular reason to care.

8.16.20 installer works fine with 2.6.14

Have yet to download the new one.

Yes, it installs great... it just doesn't work, is all. Glxgears pre-install = 125fps... after install, running fglrxgears, and copy xorg.conf to /etc/X11 (with restart of X) = 125fps.

2.6.13 kernel ATI install gives me 1175fps after install...

What about IPW2200?

Yup, that's there too!