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SteamOS, Valve's Linux distribution aimed at a more console-like big TV experience actually saw some small updates recently.

Firstly, the 2.166 beta that was released way back in August of 2018 was finally promoted to the stable channel so you don't need to mess about with opting into the SteamOS beta. This is important, since it brings with it an updated NVIDIA driver, an updated Mesa driver, security fixes and a bug fix for an unresponsive login button.

The extra importance of those driver updates, is that they're the absolute minimum required for Steam Play use. Still, they're obviously quite outdated now since there's been a number of big updates since August last year.

It seems to have gone a little unnoticed, with a new 2.170 SteamOS beta that went live earlier this week too. Although, it's nothing fancy with only security fixes being noted. Even so, it's good to see some work being done on it.

Hopefully later this year we will finally see SteamOS 3.0 codenamed Clockwerk, with it being based on Debian 9. Their repository list doesn't show it seeing any updates since last summer though, so hopefully it will be picked up again.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Beta, SteamOS
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15 comments
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Tuxgamer Jan 28, 2019
Would be nice to see some bigger changes/updates to steamos. Hopefully Valve has some good stuff for us in 2019.
shelloflight Jan 28, 2019
My steam machine is perpetually stuck with the "Restart to upgrade SteamOS" prompt :/.
Tuxgamer Jan 28, 2019
Quoting: shelloflightMy steam machine is perpetually stuck with the "Restart to upgrade SteamOS" prompt :/.
Have you tried doing a recovery?

You shouldn't have to re download your games.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8470-QSKM-0491


Last edited by Tuxgamer on 28 January 2019 at 12:53 am UTC
mindplague Jan 28, 2019
Yay. Some Proton dependent games are working out-of-the-box without enabling the Proton in desktop mode; Jamestown, Doom..
Comandante Ñoñardo Jan 28, 2019
Quoting: mindplagueYay. Some Proton dependent games are working out-of-the-box without enabling the Proton in desktop mode; Jamestown, Doom..
Whitelisted games?
shelloflight Jan 28, 2019
Quoting: rickowns
Quoting: shelloflightMy steam machine is perpetually stuck with the "Restart to upgrade SteamOS" prompt :/.
Have you tried doing a recovery?

You shouldn't have to re download your games.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8470-QSKM-0491

I have not! I'll try this soon.
skinnyraf Jan 28, 2019
Quoting: GuestWhen I tested SteamOS a couple years ago the Debian part of it was very stripped down and non usable for daily computing. Debian derivatives are a waste of human resources and point release software too.

But you know that SteamOS is not meant for daily computing, don't you? It's like complaining you cannot fit your family and luggage in a golf cart and drive for holidays. Maintaining a full-blown Debian installation just for gaming is a waste of time.
My three years old Steam Machine sits in a living room. I connected a keyboard to it like 10-15 times over these three years, just to tinker with it, but it would be just as usable only with a Steam Controller. And I have a dedicated PC running Debian for general computing.
14 Jan 28, 2019
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Quoting: GuestDebian derivatives are a waste of human resources and point release software too.
What?
property Jan 28, 2019
[quote=Guest]
Quoting: skinnyraf
Quoting: GuestMaintaining a full-blown Debian installation just for gaming is a waste of time.

Debian testing xfce is far less full blown than SteamOS, Debian testing Xfce fits to a cd-rom disk and it is a stable and compatible rolling release OS.

What's the problem here? Can't you imagine that there are different use cases for different distributions?

My guess is you are not the target audience of SteamOS just like my brother could never configure debianxfce to fit his needs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
(especially not using his steam controller ^^)
Liam Dawe Jan 28, 2019
I wouldn't pay much attention to debianxfce, they don't make sense at the best of times ;)
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