Computer Geeks Please 'Splain!

[Bleipriester]

The issue with game producers and Linux is the open source platform, the computer game industry wants to protect it's product, for obvious reasons. The Linux fanatics want everything on Linux to be open source and will crack the games and make them freely available if they can.
Steam for Linux is already available so it's a viable workaround for Linux users and as Linux becomes ever more increasingly user friendly more average consumers will start using it and the fanatics will ultimately become the minority.

We have that with Windows, too. Steam, like Origin, is not a good copy protection. Like in the old days, you copy and paste the crack and you can run the game - and that portable.
Linux has to many distributions, can you run Steam and the games offered by this version on any distribution? I don´t think so. In my opinion, it´s good that the PC has a universal platform (Windows). Otherwise we probably would need several devices and operating systems to get the functionality of the PC we have now.

Don't really know how Steam works but pretty sure most, if not all of the primary distros will work...... they have the same kernel.

I googled and this is what Valve says:
"Currently, Steam for Linux is only supported on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop. Additional distributions will be examined for support as time permits. For more information on Steam for Linux, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve. If you are running another distrubiton of Linux we will be unable to offer support as these are not officially supported. If you are having trouble running Steam for Linux on another distribution we recommend switching to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop."
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1504-QHXN-8366

 

[Ringel05]

We have that with Windows, too. Steam, like Origin, is not a good copy protection. Like in the old days, you copy and paste the crack and you can run the game - and that portable.
Linux has to many distributions, can you run Steam and the games offered by this version on any distribution? I don´t think so. In my opinion, it´s good that the PC has a universal platform (Windows). Otherwise we probably would need several devices and operating systems to get the functionality of the PC we have now.

Don't really know how Steam works but pretty sure most, if not all of the primary distros will work...... they have the same kernel.

I googled and this is what Valve says:
"Currently, Steam for Linux is only supported on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop. Additional distributions will be examined for support as time permits. For more information on Steam for Linux, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve. If you are running another distrubiton of Linux we will be unable to offer support as these are not officially supported. If you are having trouble running Steam for Linux on another distribution we recommend switching to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop."
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1504-QHXN-8366

Mint is built off of Ubuntu, Gnome 3 interface. It would probably work.

 

[Bleipriester]

Don't really know how Steam works but pretty sure most, if not all of the primary distros will work...... they have the same kernel.

I googled and this is what Valve says:
"Currently, Steam for Linux is only supported on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop. Additional distributions will be examined for support as time permits. For more information on Steam for Linux, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve. If you are running another distrubiton of Linux we will be unable to offer support as these are not officially supported. If you are having trouble running Steam for Linux on another distribution we recommend switching to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop."
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1504-QHXN-8366

Mint is built off of Ubuntu, Gnome 3 interface. It would probably work.

Some variants base on Debian. You should check that.

 

[Ringel05]

I googled and this is what Valve says:
"Currently, Steam for Linux is only supported on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop. Additional distributions will be examined for support as time permits. For more information on Steam for Linux, see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve. If you are running another distrubiton of Linux we will be unable to offer support as these are not officially supported. If you are having trouble running Steam for Linux on another distribution we recommend switching to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or 12.10 with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktop."
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=1504-QHXN-8366

Mint is built off of Ubuntu, Gnome 3 interface. It would probably work.

Some variants base on Debian. You should check that.

Ubuntu is built on Debian.

 

[Bleipriester]

Mint is built off of Ubuntu, Gnome 3 interface. It would probably work.

Some variants base on Debian. You should check that.

Ubuntu is built on Debian.

Didn´t know. Then you shouldn´t have problems running Steam, if you run a version which is up to date.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

Linux vs. Windows....in my opinion.

Gaming....not even a discussion, Windows is by far the choice of OS if gaming is a part of your PC usage.
Serfing the net....Linux. Why? Security and impervious to nearly all viruses and spyware. Surfing the net is relatively risk-free on Linux while almost every Windows PC in America is infected with multiple spyware applications.
Business use.....still Windows, but to a lesser degree each year as many business systems are now browser based and works on any OS platform. I will say within 5 years there will be little advantage in having Windows in a business setting unless your company runs a MS platform.
Video viewing/manipulation/producing.....Linux by faaaaar. There is a reason that all of the major CGI production companies use Linux cluster servers and Linux programs for making video. The cost of using MS is 10 times that of Linux and the superior stability of custom Linux OS's eliminates the nightmare of a system crashing under heavy load in the middle of making the film.
Website hosting/application hosting....not even a discussion, Linux. Security/Apache/free software makes Linux the overwhelming choice of internet websites. (inlcuding USMB)

Good post!

I make two exceptions:
1. Internet:
It´s the webpages, you are watched by.
Here, six tools watch at you:
1. Google Adsense
2. Google AJAX Search API
3. Google Analytics
4. Google Custom Search Engine
5. Nativo
6. SkimLinks

There are hundreds of these trackers. Facebook Like icons for example: You do not even have to use them, Facebook creates a log of the webpages you have visited. Tools like Ghostery deactivate such trackers.


2. Video Watching
Windows comes with the Windows Media Player, a tool that natively plays various audio- and video formats and can rip any Music CD to mp3 or wmv.
And there are good programs like the KM Player, that can optimize the playback in sheer countless ways.

WMP is a solid video player for novice or general use. Drawbacks are lack of support for many formats such as flv and compressed video formats used by torrent rips. WMP is also a security hazard and a very common source of spyware from less than legit streaming sources (aka porn). Another problem with WMP is it's direct access and administrator access to the Windows registry - thus a main source of malware. It is INSANE that any program tied to the internet to have admin rites to the users PC - stupid.
IMO - VLC is a better alternative, it supports basically every codec on the planet and is impervious to most malware - even on a Windows machine.

 

[Bleipriester]

WMP is a solid video player for novice or general use. Drawbacks are lack of support for many formats such as flv and compressed video formats used by torrent rips. WMP is also a security hazard and a very common source of spyware from less than legit streaming sources (aka porn). Another problem with WMP is it's direct access and administrator access to the Windows registry - thus a main source of malware. It is INSANE that any program tied to the internet to have admin rites to the users PC - stupid.
IMO - VLC is a better alternative, it supports basically every codec on the planet and is impervious to most malware - even on a Windows machine.

The security of your computer depends on the places you visit in the web. But to make an internet-session a calculation of risks will cause paranoia.
So a PC without internet is the best PC...

 

[iamwhatiseem]

WMP is a solid video player for novice or general use. Drawbacks are lack of support for many formats such as flv and compressed video formats used by torrent rips. WMP is also a security hazard and a very common source of spyware from less than legit streaming sources (aka porn). Another problem with WMP is it's direct access and administrator access to the Windows registry - thus a main source of malware. It is INSANE that any program tied to the internet to have admin rites to the users PC - stupid.
IMO - VLC is a better alternative, it supports basically every codec on the planet and is impervious to most malware - even on a Windows machine.

The security of your computer depends on the places you visit in the web. But to make an internet-session a calculation of risks will cause paranoia.
So a PC without internet is the best PC...

Ah...a strawman argument.
I would argue that programs should be designed with security as a basic requirement. Following your argument, the best car is one that stays in the driveway. People drive cars.
This is the problem most techies have against Microsoft and why so many savvy users use Linux. Microsoft's 1st priority is ease of use and interoperability with other programs. In a perfect world - great. But in reality Microsoft's lack of responsibility in designing secure software and a loooooong and full history of flat out ignoring common probems is why almost 100% of Windows PC's have at least one working malware installed. Unacceptable.

 

[Bleipriester]

WMP is a solid video player for novice or general use. Drawbacks are lack of support for many formats such as flv and compressed video formats used by torrent rips. WMP is also a security hazard and a very common source of spyware from less than legit streaming sources (aka porn). Another problem with WMP is it's direct access and administrator access to the Windows registry - thus a main source of malware. It is INSANE that any program tied to the internet to have admin rites to the users PC - stupid.
IMO - VLC is a better alternative, it supports basically every codec on the planet and is impervious to most malware - even on a Windows machine.

The security of your computer depends on the places you visit in the web. But to make an internet-session a calculation of risks will cause paranoia.
So a PC without internet is the best PC...

Ah...a strawman argument.
I would argue that programs should be designed with security as a basic requirement. Following your argument, the best car is one that stays in the driveway. People drive cars.
This is the problem most techies have against Microsoft and why so many savvy users use Linux. Microsoft's 1st priority is ease of use and interoperability with other programs. In a perfect world - great. But in reality Microsoft's lack of responsibility in designing secure software and a loooooong and full history of flat out ignoring common probems is why almost 100% of Windows PC's have at least one working malware installed. Unacceptable.

Now way to change it. I don´t want a console. I don´t want an OS with limited access to software. iPhones do that, Apple-approved software only. The PC is a free platform an cannot need an OS that reduces its capabilities. The problem remains, so there is a need to clean up the internet. Its necessary to eliminate the sources of malware. Various tools clean your computer, but there is almost no one who cleans the web, except private companies, which try to protect their products. Where are the tools to ensure your rights the law guarantees? Why is there no international agreement on fighting malware and pirated software?

 

[iamwhatiseem]

The security of your computer depends on the places you visit in the web. But to make an internet-session a calculation of risks will cause paranoia.
So a PC without internet is the best PC...

Ah...a strawman argument.
I would argue that programs should be designed with security as a basic requirement. Following your argument, the best car is one that stays in the driveway. People drive cars.
This is the problem most techies have against Microsoft and why so many savvy users use Linux. Microsoft's 1st priority is ease of use and interoperability with other programs. In a perfect world - great. But in reality Microsoft's lack of responsibility in designing secure software and a loooooong and full history of flat out ignoring common probems is why almost 100% of Windows PC's have at least one working malware installed. Unacceptable.

Now way to change it. I don´t want a console. I don´t want an OS with limited access to software. iPhones do that, Apple-approved software only. The PC is a free platform an cannot need an OS that reduces its capabilities. The problem remains, so there is a need to clean up the internet. Its necessary to eliminate the sources of malware. Various tools clean your computer, but there is almost no one who cleans the web, except private companies, which try to protect their products. Where are the tools to ensure your rights the law guarantees? Why is there no international agreement on fighting malware and pirated software?

No way to change what?
OS with limited access to software? What do you mean by limited access?
Are you saying Linux reduces the capabilities of the hardware??? Holy....now you are really talking out of your hiney.
Need to clean up the internet?
International agreement to fight malware??

 

[Bleipriester]

Ah...a strawman argument.
I would argue that programs should be designed with security as a basic requirement. Following your argument, the best car is one that stays in the driveway. People drive cars.
This is the problem most techies have against Microsoft and why so many savvy users use Linux. Microsoft's 1st priority is ease of use and interoperability with other programs. In a perfect world - great. But in reality Microsoft's lack of responsibility in designing secure software and a loooooong and full history of flat out ignoring common probems is why almost 100% of Windows PC's have at least one working malware installed. Unacceptable.

Now way to change it. I don´t want a console. I don´t want an OS with limited access to software. iPhones do that, Apple-approved software only. The PC is a free platform an cannot need an OS that reduces its capabilities. The problem remains, so there is a need to clean up the internet. Its necessary to eliminate the sources of malware. Various tools clean your computer, but there is almost no one who cleans the web, except private companies, which try to protect their products. Where are the tools to ensure your rights the law guarantees? Why is there no international agreement on fighting malware and pirated software?

No way to change what?
OS with limited access to software? What do you mean by limited access?
Are you saying Linux reduces the capabilities of the hardware??? Holy....now you are really talking out of your hiney.
Need to clean up the internet?
International agreement to fight malware??

Ooops. That "So a PC without internet is the best PC..."-statement was an ironic answer...

And yes, the web needs a clean up.