It seems that the big Steam update, which rolled out on December 12th disabled support for the Steam Web Browser for 32-bit distributions. Steam also no longer supports 32-bit Linux distributions.
The change wasn't listed explicitly in the client update notes, but the official Steam Knowledge Base Article has been updated to clearly list that 32-bit Linux distributions are no longer supported:
Users running on 32-bit Linux distributions will see "The Steam Browser is disabled" message when they try to access the Steam Store, overlay web browser, achievement pages or other Steam functions that open a web browser through the client, and will have to use a standalone browser to access these features now.
Other features that do not depend on the built-in browser (like Steam friends, game invites and at least part of big picture mode) are unaffected by the change.
Since the vast majority of GOL users seem to be running a 64-bit distribution on their gaming machine, most will not experience the difference, but here's the reminder for the two remaining users.
However, since all the missing functionality (aside from using the browser in the overlay) can be mitigated by logging into your Steam account in a regular desktop browser, the lack of the feature is limited to an annoyance (hopefully Valve will think about simply allowing launching games from the store) and hopefully this is a sign of a true 64-bit Steam client for Linux.
Note: Article cleaned up for publishing by liamdawe. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
The change wasn't listed explicitly in the client update notes, but the official Steam Knowledge Base Article has been updated to clearly list that 32-bit Linux distributions are no longer supported:
QuoteLinux
32-bit Linux distributions are also no longer supported. Please install a 64-bit Linux distribution to make use of the Steam browser.
Users running on 32-bit Linux distributions will see "The Steam Browser is disabled" message when they try to access the Steam Store, overlay web browser, achievement pages or other Steam functions that open a web browser through the client, and will have to use a standalone browser to access these features now.
Other features that do not depend on the built-in browser (like Steam friends, game invites and at least part of big picture mode) are unaffected by the change.
Since the vast majority of GOL users seem to be running a 64-bit distribution on their gaming machine, most will not experience the difference, but here's the reminder for the two remaining users.
However, since all the missing functionality (aside from using the browser in the overlay) can be mitigated by logging into your Steam account in a regular desktop browser, the lack of the feature is limited to an annoyance (hopefully Valve will think about simply allowing launching games from the store) and hopefully this is a sign of a true 64-bit Steam client for Linux.
Note: Article cleaned up for publishing by liamdawe. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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But.. the steam client is 32-bit. It uses 32-bit flash for videos. It relies on 32-bit libraries to run on a 64-bit system, but it doesn't work properly on a 32-bit system? By design?
I'm not complaining. It's just fucking weird.
This.
make the client fully 64bit also!
No, then people would lose access to the ability to download games that they've paid for the right to play. There must be some alternative in that case: some way to download the game itself on a 32bit system.