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Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

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Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#151
post #98
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing is forcing you to use Metro. In fact, only apps that have an UI designed specifically for Metro will use the Metro environment. Everything else will run in windows outside of Metro, just like they do in Windows 7. Only the new start screen (which replaces the start menu) will expose you to Metro. But in my experience with the Release Preview, this start screen is pleasant to use and still allows for keyboard…

>Nothing is forcing you to use Metro. In fact, only apps that have an UI designed specifically for Metro will use the Metro environment. What happens when the majority of apps you want to use are Metro apps?

That's not the case. Like, it's not like they're removing desktop apps and reinstating them as Metro apps. If you decide to exclusively use Metro apps, then I guess that's your problem. Otherwise, I don't really understand what point you're trying to make.

I seriously, seriously question in half of the people attempting to spread shit about Windows 8 here have ever seriously used it for more than 3 minutes in a VM.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#152

I don't understand this sentiment. If you don't like Metro, launch the desktop and forget it even exists. For rarely launched apps, hit the Win key and start typing the name and for frequently used apps, pin to your taskbar. Steam still works exactly the same on Windows 8.

For rarely launched apps, hit the Win key and start typing the name There should be an app for that. It could be called... oh, I don't know, how about COMMAND.COM?

What are you talking about? This is how every person I've ever observed ever uses the Start Menu in Windows Vista or 7.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#153
post #77

After the Vista Candy shop its toy blocks now... - haven't looked under the hood of W8 yet but if MS wants to limit me what I can install on my computer / take over boot / BIOS control this one will certainly find no home on any of my computers. Call me old fashioned but if I go to a shop and buy a computer (or have it send to my place) I actually want to own it and not find a clause on line 432'678 of the license ag…

>haven't looked under the hood of W8 yet but if MS wants to limit me what I can install on my computer / take over boot / BIOS control this one will certainly find no home on any of my computers.

Thank god. I was afraid we'd get through this thread without the typical misinformed FUD about SecureBoot.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#154
post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pretty much everything MS buys gets ruined, so I'd rather that didn't happen.

They've messed up some, but they've also hit grand slams with others. MS-DOS comes to mine. PowerPoint is another. Hotmail. Bungie. FAST Search. All of those are much more successful than they were before Microsoft acquired them.

I don't really agree with the GP, but Bungie is actually a pretty apt comparison in this case. Ask them what they think about the acquisition...

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#155
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got the same impression so far. Take the Metro Windows Update for example. It failed for for me repeatedly without giving any reason until I found the same functionality within the "classic" Control Center where I had to allow the system to reboot in order to install the updates. This is simply a horrible experience in every way.

>It failed for for me repeatedly without giving any reason until I found the same functionality within the "classic" Control Center where I had to allow the system to reboot in order to install the updates Wasn't this on the Beta product? Why is everyone talking as if it's on the RTM version?

This is just one example of a general flawed concept and certainly beyond the scope of a "bug" that could be fixed within a week or two.

I don't think we'll see a unified experience until Windows 9.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#156

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Definitely in my case - I play a lot of my Steam games on both platforms. Gaming PC at home, and Macbook Pro on the go.

I'm also of the opinion that the problems I've seen are too deep to realistically be fixed in the few months left before W8 goes RTM.

Why do they have to be fixed before then?

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#157
post #83
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand that perspective, and I honestly think there is a bit of a double standard going on here. People hate on Origin and 'meh' the rest of the competition, but are in love with Steam. I know people who will only buy games if they're on Steam, it's bizarre. Your games are locked into steam, and they may never be removed from there. You own none of them. The only way to play them is to open Steam (presumi…

It's a convenient library of games on an application built specifically for that purpose. It keeps games updated and doesn't get angry about mods, it's also relatively easy to tell which games you have played and which you haven't. It also has superior sales to other places (such as Origin). People like having everything easy to find and in one place. Amazon's service is superior (in terms of DRM, sales, etc), but it…

Don't forget the friends list, in-game/cross-game chat, and growl-style notifications when your friends start playing something so you can hop in a game with them. All those other things you mentioned are huge as well, and I just don't see Microsoft replicating all of these things well. Cross platform is also nice, where applicable. Having to be online and have steam running before playing is the only major complaint I have.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#158

Steam has little to worry about in regards to the Windows App Store. They just need to keep pushing platforms, keep securing great titles, and RELEASE ANOTHER DAMN HALF LIFE 2 EPISODE. Exclusively on Steam of course. Steam is pretty great and it's not easy to replicate. See "Google Play."

> RELEASE ANOTHER DAMN HALF LIFE 2 EPISODE Probably not going to happen before they release their new gaming console. They need a good launch title and you know how long it takes them to build a game.

They have stated, publicly and clearly, that they are not working on a game console.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#159

I think the headline of the article is pretty misleading as he means that Windows 8 is a catastrophe for Steam because of the Windows 8 app store. Looks like everyone's upvoting the article because they seem to think that Gabe meant that Windows 8 will be a failure. Instead of having to go through Steam's distribution, games will have the option of going directly to the Windows 8 app store and get featured there, not…

I'm pretty sure Microsoft will end up doing to Steam what Apple tried to do with Amazon, and not allow them to sell games anywhere but in their store in the future.

Re: Gabe Newell Wants to Support Linux, Because Windows 8 is a 'Catastrophe'

#160
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or Apple, or Google, or Amazon. Steam is, really, just an app store. And that's becoming part of the platform in the modern world. Frankly I think the sanest option here would be for MS to simply buy Valve and turn them into the "Windows App Store". But I can't imagine that happening given all the internal churn that would be required to eliminate all their existing online purchase junk.

Valve is not a public company so there is no shareholders nor investors who can pressure Gabe to sell. There is also absolutely no insensitive to sell for him. Even if he gets tired of Valve he can simply start a new venture by using the insane cash-flow raining directly in his bank account.

The fact that it is a private company is a very interesting aspect of Valve.

I wonder why there are not more companies going that route. It seems to be sort of expected nowadays that every large company must incorporate.

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