Steam OS

[Dargo]

The base system draws from Debian 8, code named Debian Jessie. Most/many Windows-based games run on SteamOS and other more general Linux distributions via Proton, a largely Valve-developed fork of Wine that's integrated into and supplied with Steam for Linux. Note that also the Steam Deck uses SteamOS. The biggest trouble spot is Windows games using anti-cheat, of course especially kernel-level, and some forms of third-party DRM. There's a general compatibility database at https://www.protondb.com/explore

Linux has mostly what windows has Firefox or other programmes are available on Linux, it is nowadays no problem to use Linux for normal use windows is not needed any more.

[Skybird]

Various YT videos say that Steam is working on adressing compatability issues with Windows anti cheat software, and also with nVidia drivers. From own experience (I know Linux since 2015) I know that it is not as trouble-free as it is sometimes claimed, its not all gold in Linux land, and compatability issues with software standards, drivers and hardware remain prominent, but also installation issues that one would see as teething problems - if these would not be ever appearing again and again and are present since practically 30 years or so now. Linux never really grew up. It improved, but it never fully matured for use by the wide general public. Until today I try to install Mint Cinammon 22.0 and 22.1 from four different USB sticks formatted in two formats and with four different GB sizes on three different laptops or on my PC - to no avail, I just do not get it to work, and I know the usual tips like deactivating secure boot and do a checkjsum cpomaprison of the downlaoded iso file and trying compat mode and so forth. I tried with disc in stallaiton as well, I even bought a book DVd with 22.0 to eb sure it was not the downölaod file I got. Installation was was problematic already ten years ago, and it never became less problematic. I know for sure that others face comparable issues as well. Thats why I am often close to throw Linux out of the window, and do not plan to even try getting things like specialised racing hardware or VR running under Linux and Proton alone. Heck, even the colour callibration of my Epson printer is a mess under Linux, a PITA, not to mention that every couple of months for no apparent reason drive volumes get unmounted, and then turn up with problems to remount them again.


So Linux is reliable when it works, and it cna be faster, and comfortable. But when it does not work and there is a problem, then its a PITA. I dont think they will ever change that.



There is a reason why Linux never has reached the mainstream market despite the obvious advantages that it also has, and even now with many angry people migrating from Windows 11 to Linux it has a market share of just 2 - 2.5%. It runs and handles nice as long as it runs nice, but beware the moment problems arise (and they do arise sooner or later) - then everbyody not being an insider and linux expert or nerd is lost. Its as if under Windows you suddenly get catapulted back into MSDOS 3.0.Who here can still do MS-DOS CLI stuff, eh?

Thats why I would like to have a playing rig under Steam OS (which indeed bases on Linuzx, but is niot Linux in the same way like android is a Linux bit it is not obvipous that it is Linux). And a small, a conbcertible or 14" netbopok for the rest, since I do not do any professional office work, only need a secure platform for email, banking stuff, amazon, browsing.

And honestly said, now at 58 the whole technical computer gimmickery starts to kill my nerves. These days I want a computer to just functio when I hit the swithcv button, nedding to finetune it evry coupel fo day sand tweka this and repair that justg kills my nerves. Thats the charm of an Android ohone - you switch it on, the damn thing works, period. Just that it is as wide open as a barn gate and Google overhgears everything you do on it. So, Android and sensitive data and account stuff done under it are a no-go for me. I sue it o nyl for harmless stuff with no big risks for getting compromised involved (as far as I can say).

(IBAN usage (mandatory!) , and Paypal guest fraudsters being a superbig problems that to close both banks and Paypal until today totally refuse, these damn a$$ho!e$. The user cannot defend against these scams, and the claimed buyer protection of Paypal works against him. Both banks and Paypal make it as difficult as they can for victims to get their money back from them.)

Its good that I lose interest in gaming more and more. The less one depends on a computer these days, the better.


Summary: a wellfunctioning Steam OS that is as reliable in hadling as Android and that allows also the use of email, browser, basic home computing stuff, would be a potential game changer, I think. Valve could have a winner there. And I really crave to leave Windows behind, I loved Windows 7, and I hated everything that came after that.

[Buddahaid]

Fine if gaming is your reason for owning a PC.