Valve don't care what OS are you using as long as you have Steam on it installed. They support Linux to expand their user base, not to make Windows users switch to Linux. Maybe they should have said "install a Steam-compatible OS", but whatever.
What Linux distribution would a WinXP user install? Ubuntu 4.10?

Quoting: ageresValve don't care what OS are you using as long as you have Steam on it installed. They support Linux to expand their user base, not to make Windows users switch to Linux. Maybe they should have said "install a Steam-compatible OS", but whatever.
What Linux distribution would a WinXP user install? Ubuntu 4.10?

Actually Debian stable with a lightweight desktop is doing great on these computers. It is the 90s computers that are too old for any recent linux distro. That said if the gpu/cpu is that old, you are very limited in games, more limited than with WinXP.

I mean XP users' habits to use very outdated software, not their PC configurations.

While it might be useful to our cause for Valve to ask users of outdated versions of Windows to switch to Linux, this might interfere with their ability to launch some games that they've already enjoyed. This is probably going to be much less of a problem on newer Windows. Once Steamplay Proton is ready or nearly ready to roll out of Beta phase, they might be able to responsibly ask Windows users to switch to Linux. But that time hasn't come yet.

It is the 90s computers that are too old for any recent linux distro.

off topic: As long as distros keep pushing out i686 builds it is honestly entirely possible to get by on late 90s hardware. I've played around a bit with SATA-PATA adapters, PCIe-PCI adapters and it's kind of amazing what can be made to run on such old platforms.

Quoting: KandarihuWhile it might be useful to our cause for Valve to ask users of outdated versions of Windows to switch to Linux, this might interfere with their ability to launch some games that they've already enjoyed. This is probably going to be much less of a problem on newer Windows. Once Steamplay Proton is ready or nearly ready to roll out of Beta phase, they might be able to responsibly ask Windows users to switch to Linux. But that time hasn't come yet.

Actually I've ran into MANY games that work better under Wine than they do in anything newer than XP. Interstate '76 is a prime example.

Quoting: GustyGhost

It is the 90s computers that are too old for any recent linux distro.

off topic: As long as distros keep pushing out i686 builds it is honestly entirely possible to get by on late 90s hardware. I've played around a bit with SATA-PATA adapters, PCIe-PCI adapters and it's kind of amazing what can be made to run on such old platforms.

Yeah, this is why finding old Thinkpads for cheap on eBay is an interesting idea. They are tanks that last forever and Linux works awesomely on them.

What was so good and innovative in XP? Zero security? The need to install and update every driver by hand? Freezes for seconds when you open a CD or FDD? BSoDs? Performing slower and slower with every installed update or program? Not be able to deal with SSDs properly? Huge disk fragmentation immediately after the installation? Gosh, I'm very glad that OS died. Maybe it was good in 2001, but even Vista was better for me than XP.

Like these?

(they are not mine, just a random photo from the Internet)

Quoting: ageresWhat was so good and innovative in XP? Zero security? The need to install and update every driver by hand? Freezes for seconds when you open a CD or FDD? BSoDs? Performing slower and slower with every installed update or program? Not be able to deal with SSDs properly? Huge disk fragmentation immediately after the installation? Gosh, I'm very glad that OS died. Maybe it was good in 2001, but even Vista was better for me than XP.

Oh come on. Those were completely different days. Though I'll give you the slowdown after updates. I remember having a speedy laptop on SP1, then getting SP2 and my boot time practically tripling IIRC.

XP was the last version of Windows I used extensively. I still have no idea what they were thinking with the skin and colour theme. I moved to the Mac around 2005 and then a few years later became the Linux nerd that I am now.

Quoting: ageresLike these?

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Damn, I'm jealous now...

I actually just bought Railroad Tycoon II from GOG during their sale last month. I didn't know that there was a linux version of that. (And IMHO, the less said about Railway Empire the better; it was a huge disappointment for me and I had to get Railroad Tycoon to remove the thoughts of the horrible knock-off.)

I knew about Descent, but I though it was SimCity 2000 not 3000... but then again, I might be remembering SimCity 2000 for OS/2.

To be fair, I've never had a BSOD on Windows XP and I don't remember having problems reading disks either (I could say the opposite about Linux when it comes to that). When I saw Win7 go unresponsive at session launch on various computers I knew I wouldn't be "upgrading." Which is why I continue to believe that Microsoft are among the biggest factors in Linux adoption :D

Quoting: chancho_zombielike this arrrrrgggg, my eyes hurt.

This screenshot is priceless! :woot:

Quoting: stretch611I though it was SimCity 2000 not 3000... but then again, I might be remembering SimCity 2000 for OS/2.

One is the sequel to the other ;)

Quoting: Cyril

Quoting: chancho_zombielike this arrrrrgggg, my eyes hurt.

This screenshot is priceless! :woot:

It is a thing of beauty indeed.

On topic, I don't think Valve necessarily have to care about Linux itself or the philosophy behind it. What I think they do care about is competition in the OS market as this means they're not reliant on a single OS supplier and they can keep MS in check. This I think is the reason they haven't been doing any marketing for SteamOS or the Steam Machines - just the fact they exist and some people use them is enough for what they need.