I think the lesson is:
As already stated above, Microsoft® will be removing Direct3D Hardware support from Direct X with the launch of Windows Vista. DirectDraw and Direct3D will still function; however, they will no longer use hardware acceleration.
The native OpenGL devices on nVidia 8 series and ATi X series™ soundcards do not use DirectDraw or Direct3D and so they will be completely unaffected. For games that use these devices, nothing will change. The game will continue to enjoy hardware based 3D visuals and effects.
As already stated above, Microsoft® will be removing Direct3D Hardware support from Direct X with the launch of Windows Vista. DirectDraw and Direct3D will still function; however, they will no longer use hardware acceleration.
The native OpenGL devices on nVidia 8 series and ATi X series™ soundcards do not use DirectDraw or Direct3D and so they will be completely unaffected. For games that use these devices, nothing will change. The game will continue to enjoy hardware based 3D visuals and effects.