Gabe Newell Says Linux Is "The Future Of Gaming"

[DoPo]

The app repository is nice and all, but it's too different and complicated for the typical user. They need to enable application installation the traditional Windows way, installer + Add/Remove applet.

But...that exists. Get a .deb file and double click it. There is even a better feature - the Software Centre, which is something I really like - it is merging the best things of both PC installations and smart phone installations, namely, it's just click and go. That is it - no hassle, find what you want, and just click install and use it. Why would you like people to no use that? It's even simpler?

Nothing wrong with "App Stores" but Ubuntu's "software manager" Synaptic was scary back when I tried it out. That will not fly with the average user. Cluttered with everything under the sun plus the kitchen sink. A total mess. Apple is probably the first to put out a decent App Store.

Also the last time I tried, even with .deb files you have to drop to command line often.

It's best IMHO if everything was in one directory and you just run the most colorful icon to start the application. With uninstalling involving just deleting the directory. That's how most Java applications work if I'm right - MacOS is trying this, but half of their applications still run their own installer with all sort of scripts.

No, not Synaptic - that's the package manager, you go there if you want...well, packages. The more tinkery stuff. The Software Centre is about software - you find the program you want and click install. You don't deal with dependencies, nor repositories not anything - just click install. You can even browse software by categories, reviews and marks it got - it's pretty much an app store.

 

[deadish]

No, not Synaptic - that's the package manager, you go there if you want...well, packages. The more tinkery stuff. The Software Centre is about software - you find the program you want and click install. You don't deal with dependencies, nor repositories not anything - just click install. You can even browse software by categories, reviews and marks it got - it's pretty much an app store.

Well, it's been awhile since I tried Linux so things might have improved on that front.

But the point is, under no circumstances should a normal user have to use Synaptic or hit the command line. Both of which will scare away your average computer user.

 

[Nuxxy]

Well you Linux geeks have at least tempted me to try it again (after a short absence) before I criticize it too much. Any distro recommendations?

captcha: "hear me roar!" Not sure that really fits a "raring ringtail", captcha.

 

[DoPo]

No, not Synaptic - that's the package manager, you go there if you want...well, packages. The more tinkery stuff. The Software Centre is about software - you find the program you want and click install. You don't deal with dependencies, nor repositories not anything - just click install. You can even browse software by categories, reviews and marks it got - it's pretty much an app store.

Well, it's been awhile since I tried Linux so things might have improved on that front.

But the point is, under no circumstances should a normal user have to use Synaptic or hit the command line. Both of which will scare away your average computer user.

Which is what I'm saying - you don't have to, you haven't need to for a few years now. Here is what it looked a couple of years ago in Ubuntu

Here is what Mint's one looks like now

And you can even see Ununtu's one for yourself here [http://www.ubuntu.com/tour/en/] - it's the fourth icon from the top.

Well you Linux geeks have at least tempted me to try it again (after a short absence) before I criticize it too much. Any distro recommendations?

I personally use Mint and I'm happy. It's stable and nice looking and usable. You can also try Ubuntu but I've not tried used it for a long time. OpenSUSE is supposed to be better for desktop-y things, or more like office use and such, don't know, that's what I've heard, at least. You might also try Fedora but not sure how good it is, I've only used it to test out some networking stuff but it looked OK otherwise.

 

[ForumSafari]

Well you Linux geeks have at least tempted me to try it again (after a short absence) before I criticize it too much. Any distro recommendations?

Ubuntu and Mint are solid, Mint is built on Ubuntu but has a more Windows-like interface. Ubuntu is basically the reference Linux distro and is having the most luck getting itself preinstalled on computers.

If you don't mind something less stable you could try Fedora or if you want super stable try Debian, Debian is what Ubuntu is based on but it uses far older software with the goal of being extra stable. AS the poster above me has reminded me OpenSUSE is a thing too, it's a good stable desktop operating system.

For my money I'd say to try Ubuntu first, it pretty much has everything you need in a distro.

 

[psycoturkey]

Half-Life 3 Steam box release date console exclusive pleeeeease

 

[TomWiley]

What is Gabe Newell's definition of open source? With Ubuntu (which, let's be honest, is the closest to a consumer-friendly distro there is right now) you got a limited repository and practically no backwards compatibility, and the only viable way (other than apt-get) to install new software is via the built in Software Center, an app for downloading apps á la Windows Store.

Not to mention that any Linux OS is going to have a very limited library of games seeing as more existing titles are made for DirectX which isn't compatible with that platform.

In my experience, trying to install and enjoy games and other software is so closed and restricted it's claustrophobic, and it's not only because of the major Linux/NT kernel incompatibility.

While Linux might be more open in theory, I assume that most people's experience with Linux is going to come in the form of a pre-packaged, pre-installed Steam-booter locked to big-picture mode, which is by no definition open, particularly not compared to Windows.

Gabe's been talking a lot about open platforms, but he has yet to address how this open platform his company aims to provide would actually, in practice, enable users any more freedom than what you got now with Windows.

Microsoft expressed interest in locking it down. So Gabe Newell wants to build up linux so when Windows inevitably becomes IOS there are still viable open platforms.

Its not competing with windows right now, it will replace it in the future.

No, Microsoft did not at any point express an interesting in locking it down. Instead, they made the most open operating system on the market.

Even freaking Ubuntu/Linux has a built in appstore, as well as Mac OSX. If Windows 8 is locked down, it's not any more or less locked down than that of virtually every single modern OS. (Which is to say that it isn't)