See Phoronix on ATi a couple of years back. They were going to take over the world with their open source graphics drivers and run nVidia out of business. They were BEYOND AWESOME!
. . . fast forward to now and ATi still lags quite a ways behind nVidia in the linux drivers usability department.
Phoronix is sort of a tabloid for linux enthusiasts. I have to give Michael props this time though, it seems he was actually right about Steam.
No they don't, but do you know what's more a problem? Neither do mods! It doesn't matter much if source gets a Linux client since mods are still compiled "against windows". As long as mods don't have Linux clients we gain exactly "nothing". In contrary to this is for example my engine where this entire cross-compile and multi-binary doesn't exist to begin with. A source engine client is not going to improve open source projects or interest therein. In contrary. People have now to deal with dual booting into Windows for playing windows only HL2 mods (which will be the majority). So it makes a bad problem already worse. Result? People stay away from Linux as it's easier to use Windows source where all your mods run.
Just found this job opportunity on Valve's website:
http://www.valvesoftware.com/job-SenSoftEngineer.html
Lead engineer and architect on ... (the) digital distribution platform called "Steam"Sorry if this was mentioned somewhere beforePort Windows-based games to the Linux platform.![]()
Official word from steam on Linux Platform Support:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_...1313-QIPD-5381
Lol, so here's the REAL official Valve statement, saying they have "no plans", while there's active Linux client development? Those two are completely opposing statements.There are no plans to create a native Linux Steam Client at this time.
Here Mike, let me fix that for you:
"Officially Valve States No Plans, But Contradictorily Hosts Linux Client Binaries"
Wherein you mention Valve's statement, along with the evidence of the Linux client, then ask why and give your speculations.
So why would they be hiding it? Companies are very good at making it known when they're doing something which can get them positive attention, they're very good at creating hype, and they are also very good at covering up mistakes, as companies usually have no honor. So why would they "leak" Linux Steam client binaries, be secretive about it but allow it to be known? The only reasons I can think of are:
- they don't feel the timing is right due to the Mac client hype
- they don't really care all that much about Linux
- they just forgot to update that page
- they're trying to use it to threaten Apple, Microsoft, or other companies to get better deals without directly attacking, just using fear to get better pricing on certain things