ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 graphics card FGLRX or Not?

ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 PRO TURBO
 Manufacturer: ATI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
 Chip Type: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600/9700 series AGP
 dac type(whats this?): INTERNAL DAC (400 MHz)
 approx total memory: 128.0 MB
 Current Display Mode:1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60 Hz)
 Monitor: Default
 Drivers....................................................
 Main Driver: ati2dvag.dll
  Version: 6.14.0010.6525 (English)
  Date: 3/14/2005
  WHQL Logo'd:Yes
  Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
  VDD: n/a
  DDI Version 9 or higher

http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/linux/linux-radeon.html

I found this link from ATI for Linux for my model? Or does this mean I need to edit my config or use CLI to install it?

http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx?p=xp/mobility-xp

This one above is for XP Pro.

/etc/X11/xorg.conf
Section "Device"
  Identifier "Configured Video Device"
 EndSection
Section "Monitor"
  Identifier "Configured Monitor"
 EndSection
Section "Screen"
  Identifier "Default Screen"
  Monitor "Configured Monitor"
  Device "Configured Video Device"
 EndSection

I've noticed many posts/threads regarding binary drivers(proprietary) and their problems with linux kernel; specfically debian based distrobutions such as Xubuntu, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu. (different desktop environments XFCE, KDE, and GNOME) Binary drivers such as ATI and NVidia seem to be quite common.

Another question besides those already asked is if someone were to buy a new computer system and wanted Debian distrobution linux and the distrobution of ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, what would be the most compatible for a graphics card to work with internet, compiz fusion, 3d gaming, etc?
Basically how does someone build a system around linux but that could also work with windows?

Drivers for graphics cards are an ongoing problem: One can choose between open source drivers written by reverse engineering, which don't tend to perform as well, or proprietary ('binary') drivers from the makers, which have certain problems (e.g. with standby).

Intel graphics are renowned for working well with Linux--they've been very co-operative. But they don't (yet) do any full blown graphics cards, only graphics chipsets built into the motherboard.

I think the general feeling is that ATI are a bit better than NVidia. ATI (as part of AMD) did recently release some of the key specs for their graphics chips.

As to your specific card, there does seem to be some sort of issue, although it's not entirely clear what's what. See for example: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/fglrx-installer/+bug/284408

Quote/I'm using a fresh installation of Intrepid (downloaded and installed today).
I have the same problem. My Mobility Radeon 9700 is listed as:
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV350 [Mobility Radeon 9600 M10]
Jockey won't display any drivers for me to download. I'm afraid of installing them manually because the last time I did that (on Hardy 8.04) the login screen went white (I found on my searches through Google some people calling it the white screen of death lol)
What can we do to fix this?/end Quote

Ahh a white screen of death. lol

Another thomas, Quote/
I was scared by the Ubuntu 8.10 Release Notes instruction:
 "ATI "fglrx" video support
The ATI video driver in 8.10 drops support for video cards with r300 based chips (the Radeon 9500 - X600 Series of cards). If you have such a card, please use "Hardware Drivers" at System/Administration to disable it before the upgrade. Please see bug 284408 for more information "
Is it confirmed that AMD has dropped support for R300 chips or is it just a bug in the new Xorg and kernel adaptation in the driver?
 I use AMD FGLRX 8.10 driver on Hardy downloaded from AMD website and it works without problems on my (desktop) Radeon 9600 (RV350).
 I was managing to upgrade to Intrepid in few days./end quote

I have the same problem. I needed the 8.10 for my mobile broadband usb dongle but now I've lost performance big time due to my ATI 9600 Mobility Radeon card. I would like to know if support will return or if it's gone forever. If gone forever I guess I'll have to find another distro. I've got several units using this video card.