This has been something that's been circulating for a while now, trying to convince Nvidia to open up their close source drivers and allow the open source community to be involved.
One of the big problems many people have with linux is the fact that in order to have working 3D, you need to seperately download and install the nvidia drivers. The reason is that closed source drivers cannot be included in a linux distro due to the GPL license requirements.
If Nvidia were to open their drivers, one of the benefits would be that Nvidia drivers would be installed and working by default on any fresh install, no hassle, no worry, and another would be that the community may actually be able to improve on Nvidia's work in some areas.
The petition and more information is located here:
OpenTheBlob.com - An Open Letter For Open Drivers To NVIDIA
And to date over 7,800 signatures are there.
If you want to go a step further, and apply some pressure to Nvidia by contacting their board partners, a template letter, and a series of contacts is located here:
OpenTheBlob.com - Doing More For An Open NVIDIA
Mentioning for example to ASUS, that you like your 8800GTS, but are saddened by the state of Nvidia's driver support could go a long way if ASUS turns around and asks Nvidia on your behalf.
I intend to do this for Dell and ASUS, the two companys that have supplied me with Nvidia hardware I'm currently using.