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[ductape]

I thoiught there was another thread related to this, but I searched and didnt find a good title match.

Anyway, Steam announced their own OS as part of their 3 pronged rollout: http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamOS/

http://gizmodo.com/steams-got-its-own-operating-system-now-1371883607

We wont know what machine it will be until later...

[Unusedname]

I don't really understand how this works.

"It will be available soon as a free stand-alone operating system for living room machines."

Does this mean I can play steam games through my cable box? or ps3? or do I need to move a CPU/Laptop and connect that to the tv?

I mean I see it says stand alone, but I'm just not comprehending how this works.

Or is that TBA and until then the explanation is fairys.

[Ozyton]

http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=131332.0
That's what you're looking for

[Lectorog]

I don't really understand how this works.

You know how your computer box is Windows or Mac OS or Linux or something?
You can make your computer box run by Steam instead of one of those.
Presumably this will make it run games slightly better but not be able to do as much other stuff.
Living room machine means general computer that you have in your living room. I would place stake in their not making it work through cable boxes, PS3, etc. Your computer box probably doesn't have to be in the living room for it to be Steam OS compatible.
It's possible that they will make their own Steam computer box that is the only thing that will run the OS. But more likely you will be able to load it onto a normal computer.

http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=131332.0
That's what you're looking for

That topic isn't about this specific part, so this can really stand alone or go there.

EDIT: Oops they're actually discussing it there. Everyone leave this thread!

[Unusedname]

Thank you very much Lectorog.

I think I understand it a little better now.

[ductape]

"It will be available soon as a free stand-alone operating system for living room machines."

My guess is that they mean the OS is free and built on Linux. Any hardware developer can download it for free. I bet the HOPE is that is ends up on all sorts of devices, including and not limited to new machines yet to be seen, black boxes, and hacked machines such as PS3 or something.

[aristabulus]

My guess is that they mean the OS is free and built on Linux.

I'll go a step farther, and say that it is gonna be Debian-based.  Steam's recent forays into Linux games have been with Ubuntu, which is a short hop downstream from Papa Debian.  (another popular distro, Linux Mint, is downstream from both, depending on the edition) 

Debian-family Linuxes are where most of the noble-minded free speech and free beer work has been going for quite a while, so SteamOS will be tying into mature roots.  It's also where a lot of the work is happening on usability for people who don't like command lines and wading through source code, meaning less work to get to "just works."

That will also mean it's open source, which opens up a lot of interesting implications.  Got a low priority bug rubbing you raw, and you've got some chops for code?  Chase it down and send in the commit.  Got an awesome idea for a UI mod?  Go write it.

Yes, 'tis a Brave New World... No soma required!!! 

[Darkmere]

Yes, 'tis a Brave New World... No soma required!!! 

Bonus Flivver points to you, sir!

I admit, I was dubious about the announcement but if it IS Linux-based and actually works as a decent gaming platform with supported variety... I'm very intrigued at the idea. Ease of gaming is one of the (few) reasons I still bother with Windows' bullshit.

[ductape]

was going to lock this thread, but this line of talk is valuable I think separate from the other thread.

[Werdna]

Good article at Ars Technica musing on what it will take to shift the industry.

[Puzzlemaker]

I am unnaturally excited for this.  Help.

[nenjin]

I am unnaturally excited for this.  Help.

Just think back to Steam's release, and check back in two years

[Rilder]

Well if its a good usable OS that isn't Windows I'm all for it. I don't want anything to do with anything windows released after windows 7.

[Darkmere]

Well if its a good usable OS that isn't Windows I'm all for it. I don't want anything to do with anything windows released after windows 7.

My god ain't that the truth.

[itisnotlogical]

I wonder how they actually plan to get games working on SteamOS? Windows programs work on WINE for Linux, and that tends to slow down performance and introduce glitches, as well as being a general pain to set up. I doubt every single developer with games on Steam is going to create a native Linux port of their entire library.