Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 26th Apr 2012 18:23 UTC, submitted by Radio
"I am still struck by just how interested Valve is in Linux as a platform; it is certainly beyond my original expectations. This Linux work just is not some half-assed attempt by them to make it look like they are a Linux-friendly organization. Gabe's vision to support, embrace, and promote Linux are amazing, assuming they execute, which looks to be very high probability at this point."
Nice scoop from Phoronix. Seems to all tie in quite well with the prospect of a Steambox running Linux.
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RE: Windows 8 app store model undercuts Steam
by MamiyaOtaru on Fri 27th Apr 2012 02:22
in reply to "Windows 8 app store model undercuts Steam"
Member since:2005-11-11
While I'm sure they see an app store as a threat, Microsoft would have to overcome the antipathy most gamers hold towards their GFWL platform. Steam is more than just distribution; it's palatable DRM, communications, friends lists etc. Microsoft fell on their face with their last competing platform that next to no one uses anymore. Who knows what Windows 8 and beyond will bring of course
RE: Windows 8 app store model undercuts Steam
by bassbeast on Fri 27th Apr 2012 14:54
in reply to "Windows 8 app store model undercuts Steam"
Member since:2007-11-11
I'm sorry but have you TRIED GFWL? Its horrible! A total mess! Heck it can't even load the one lousy game I have for it (Bioshock II and i won't make the mistake of not reading the box before purchase again) without kicking me off whatever screen i'm on and back to the title screen!
In the end Valve has pretty much nothing to fear from Windows 8. Having set up a Win 8 CP machine in my shop and letting passersby try it the one thing they can all agree on is how much they HATE Win 8, whereas Steam is frankly a joy to use. Friends lists, chat, the Steam sales, in game screencaps you can share with buds, it is as opposite as opposite can be to what me and my friends have experienced with GFWL which is a badly done XBL clone.
Features
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/24/13 17:26 UTC
So, the Xbox One disaster continues. Microsoft's policy for dealing with the used games market has reportedly leaked - and it's a clear and direct attack to destroy the used games market. Prices for used games will be set at the retail value of a new game, and retailers have to hook into Microsoft's computer systems and comply with Microsoft's terms and conditions.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/21/13 21:38 UTC
At an event earlier today, Microsoft unveiled the next Xbox - the third model, but confusingly named Xbox One. The big focus was TV, integrated Kinect, and all the other stuff we all expected to be forced down our throats. I think it took them 25 minutes to actually come to what should be the core of the story: gaming. Nothing groundbreaking in the gaming department, except for how Microsoft intends to handle the used games market and borrowing games from friends: pay up, buddy!
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/20/13 11:29 UTC
The day has finally come! Jolla has finally announced the launch device for its Sailfish operating system - and by god this is a looker. It's decidedly different from other phones out there, but it has good specifications and carries a relatively reasonably price tag - EUR 399, and it's up for pre-order today, shipping in the fourth quarter of this year.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/18/13 21:33 UTC
Why does Google get so much credit in the technology industry? Why, despite the company's many obvious failings, do many geeks and enthusiasts still hold a somewhat positive view on the all-knowing technology giant? A specific talk at Google I/O this week provides the answer.
Linked by David Adams on 05/16/13 4:23 UTC
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/11/13 21:41 UTC
"Windows is indeed slower than other operating systems in many scenarios, and the gap is worsening." That's one way to start an insider explanation of why Windows' performance isn't up to snuff. Written by someone who actually contributes code to the Windows NT kernel, the comment on Hacker News, later deleted but reposted with permission on Marc Bevand's blog, paints a very dreary picture of the state of Windows development. The root issue? Think of how Linux is developed, and you'll know the answer.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/08/13 14:22 UTC
This is one of those news items that's fun to write, fun to read, fun to comment on, and where no one will be able to say anything unkind. It's all just one big ball of awesome fluffiness. TuneTracker, the BeOS radio automation software, has just released something very special: TuneTracker System 5, the first version designed entirely and specifically for Haiku. In fact, it actually includes Haiku in the software package. Better yet, TuneTracker also unveiled several system-in-a-box products - which have Haiku and TuneTracker pre-installed.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/02/13 15:28 UTC
Exactly twenty years ago, a document was published that played a huge role in establishing the web as we know it today. Twenty years later, and this simple and straightforward document is proof of an irrefutable fact: while closed technologies can change markets, open technologies can change the world.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/29/13 21:06 UTC
Oh multitasking. That staple of computing that got thrown out the window with many modern smartphones. We got some rudimentary thing in its place - but even as multitasking on phone and tablets improves, its user-visible side remains cumbersome. Windows 8 has a neat implementation, and now it's time Android follows in it footsteps.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/24/13 22:24 UTC
They're here! Whether that excites you or not remains to be seen, but the Galaxy S4, which will most likely become the best selling Android smartphone of the year by a huge margin, has been reviewed by all the major sites, and there's lots of interesting conclusions in there - although I think most of you will get the gist.More Features »
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2010-04-07
They have no choice but to try to make Steam independent from Windows. Once Windows 8 ships "bundling" Microsoft's own application store, Windows PC gamers will have a different distribution infrastructure installed by default.
Guess who the publishers will go with, moreover if Microsoft's shop is integrated with the operating system's DRM and supported by a hardware TPM module.
The pity is that I think they're late to this game. It would take way more time bringing PC gamers (and hardware makers) from Windows to Linux than it'll take Microsoft to destroy Steam.
Another lesson for people making their business depend on the Redmond company.