Video cards
I deliberately bought an older ATI card in order to get accelerated X support without using proprietary software. I still need to put together some notes on how to play DDR without proprietary software -- one of my favorite topics.
So Don, when you get that new Intel machine, could you do me a favor and run StepMania for a minute to see what frame rate you get? For frame rate display, just do Options / Graphic Options / Show Stats / On. You can play a song (there is no end to techno) using the keyboard arrows without even hooking up a dance pad.
I would absolutely love to hear about current graphics hardware that is supported by a free driver...