su -c "yum install kmod-nvidia"

The driver version provided here is  frequently out of sync with kernel development, so if the installed driver does not match the kernel version number (uname -r) simply wait a few days or press F8 during boot to load the matching kernel version.

Compiz: If you want the fancy desktop effects, merge the following garbage into /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

Section "Module"

Load "glx"
Load "dbe"
Load "extmod"

EndSection

nVidia Legacy: If you have an older nVidia, Riva TNT, Quadro, Vanta or Geforce card, you may have to install the "legacy" driver, kmod-nvidia-legacy, instead. See the nVidia site for what they consider to be legacy. Expect problems trying to get legacy cards like the MX440 to work with the latest games in wine. Get a newer card.

yum -y install kmod-nvidia-legacy # optionally try --enablerepo=livna-testing

You must edit xorg.conf when using the legacy driver to disable the composite extension (enabled by default since Fedora 6). Composite is not compatible with legacy GLX.

Section "Extensions"
      Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

If you want to compile your own legacy driver from the nVidia site, be aware that you will need to patch it in order to compile on the latest kernels. You will also need to manually set SELinux permissions on the created files. Something like this, the latter part can be made into a script so that you may re-compile the video driver whenever you update your kernel:

mkdir -p /root/drivers/nvidia
cd /root/drivers/nvidia
wget http://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/1.0-7184/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-7184-pkg1.run
./NVID* -X
cd NVIDIA-Linux-x86-1.0-7184-pkg1
wget http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=24175&d=1172287078
patch -p0 < *patch.txt
setenforce 0
./nvidia-installer --x-module-path=/usr/lib/xorg/modules -a
find /usr/lib -cmin -2 -type f | xargs chcon -t textrel_shlib_t
setenforce 1
pkill gdm # restart the X server

Compiz on Gnome: Compiz is already installed on Fedora Core 6 but it is not enabled because it is not compatible with legacy drivers. If you have the latest driver, enable it with:

desktop-effects

Gnome Shortcuts: Please note that if you have made keyboard shortcuts under metacity (the standard Gnome desktop) they won't work in compiz (DUH!) so you will have to create new keyboard shortcuts for compiz using the gconf-editor:

yum -y install gconf-editor
gconf-editor

To create a shortcut for, say, calculator in gconf-editor, open up apps/compiz/general/allscreens/options and double-click on command0. Enter the value "gnome-calculator". Now look down the list for run_command0_key, double-click it and put in your new keyboard shortcut. The changes take effect immediately.

KDE Shortcuts: Creating keyboard shortcuts in KDE is much easier since there is an option in kcontrol.

Compiz on KDE: Place the following code in ~/.kde/Autostart/compiz.desktop:

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Exec=compiz --replace gconf & gnome-window-decorator &
GenericName[en_US]=
StartupNotify=false
Terminal=false
TerminalOptions=
Type=Application
X-KDE-autostart-after=kdesktop

Note #1: Fedora Core 6 loads the composite module by default so it didn't need to be added to xorg.conf unless you are using the legacy driver (in that case, set Option "Composite" "Disable" in "Extensions").

Note #2: You no longer need to muck about in xorg.conf to set up dual head or Twinview The options are in Applications - System Tools - NVIDIA Display Settings.

Issues: Some programs, notably older versions of qemu, remote desktop and SDL games, start with unwanted transparent backgrounds. As a temporary workaround, ussue the command, 'export XLIB_SKIP_ARGB_VISUALS=1' prior to starting them. It is hoped that developers will eventually become aware of the new visuals and this command will no longer be necessary.