this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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[–] [email protected] 53 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

So if Gabe suceeds, we get a gaming ecosystem with different hardware sellers, all using a platform that other software sellers are not blocked from using (Linux)? And the only reason Valve wins, is because they invested into providing the best possible distribution platform on Linux?

This does not make them evil by any standard I know. It just sounds like a solid long term business plan.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

So if Gabe suceeds, we get a gaming ecosystem with different hardware sellers, all using a platform that other software sellers are not blocked from using (Linux)? And the only reason Valve wins, is because they invested into providing the best possible distribution platform on Linux?

Yes. 100% correct


I would also like to add that I think the main reason for the Steam Deck runs Linux is because Gabe Newell himself has literally stated that he loves Linux and FOSS, which results in only Gabe, but the majority, if not all, of Valve wanting Linux to be a the gaming platform that it deserves to be.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There's also the fact that he was extremely worried about Microsoft trying to go the Apple route and restrict program installs to their store, including games. That would have killed Steam overnight. That's when the investment into Linux really started ramping up.

That's not evil or anything, but it is identifying a potential company-killing vulnerability and trying to reduce the impact somewhat.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Not only would it kill steam, but also kill so many other applications. It could even just straight up kill Windows as a whole.

Switching to Linux on all my computers was literally one of the best decisions I have ever made. Granted it was 5.5 years ago, but I'm glad I was able cuz microsoft started to get worse like a year later.

What Microsoft started doing recently, pushing users built-in ads to use their products, makes me more glad that I'm a Linux user so I don't have to deal with Microsoft's bullshit.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

So if Gabe suceeds, we get a gaming ecosystem with different hardware sellers, all using a platform that other software sellers are not blocked from using (Linux)? And the only reason Valve wins, is because they invested into providing the best possible distribution platform on Linux?

Yes. 100% correct


I would also like to add that I think the main reason for the Steam Deck running Linux is because Gabe Newell himself has literally stated that he loves Linux and FOSS, which results in only Gabe, but the majority, if not all, of Valve wanting Linux to be a the gaming platform that it deserves to be. It also the reason why Valve forked WINE and made Proton.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Well, he likes Linux

And doesn't trust Microsoft not to be anticompetitive and tank his business if they think they can get away with it.