End of Linux?

Ok, so maybe a the title is a little off. I can't see Linux disappearing anytime soon (if ever) but this recent article looks fairly interesting in that it's starting to bring DX11 into browsers. Although at this point it's only going to be another plugin option for online in-browser games, it makes me wonder how far away we are to having DX start to take over the roll of Flash in the browser (although this of course would not happen for many years).

The thing that worries me here is, if I understand DirectX properly, it is only an API that will work on Windows, since it is Microsoft proprietary software and I'm not sure if it runs in Linux. If Windows keeps DX out of other operating systems then, to my understanding, if DX found its way into everday websites I could see some issues with Linux running browsers with DX applied. I just wanted to know your thoughts on this, and also if I'm way off the mark. This is just something I was reading a bit about today and since I'm still a novice Linux user I thought some more expert thoughts could help me understand this.

Windows has had DirectX for more years than I can remember. It doesn't seem to have had too much impact on Linux so far.

I can see no reason for normal websites to use DirectX. Most website designers want their sites to work with OS X, Linux, BSD, Solaris, etc., etc., not just Windows.

Ok, so in the case that an online game (we'll pick Runescape as an example as it's the first one to come to my mind) decides to utilize DX11, would running a browser under WINE allow you to play Runescape or would you just be forced to dual boot?

This really is a none issue. Look at how the market is going, the analysts are all telling us that within the next five years the majority of web access will be from mobile devices. These things are not going to be DirectX whatever compatible so I can't see the whole browser market heading that way.

What I can see is more support for OpenGL coming our way, mobile phone stacks and the chipset market are making this happen already. Look at the number of games that are now ported to iPhone and Android for a glimpse of the way the market is heading, all of them are OpenGL, a standard the Linux world knows very well.

We all do. The situation is not what the OP suggests but actually a good thing for Linux in general. If you don't care about that then you know where the Apple crew live

100% of the paying market.... that's the problem.

I am a Linux user who plays games on Windows. But I don't really need Windows for anything else. I use the right tool for the task, and if Valve port Steam and Source games to Linux (as they are OSX), then Linux will possibly be the right tool for gaming. Wine is not the right tool, and Crossover costs extra monies.

By volume there are more games played on hand held devices now than on computers. That MS have just showed 3d gaming on their new phone platform, palm are showing how easy it is to port iToss games to the WebOS platform should give you a clear indication how things are going.

The alternative to DirextX for browsers will be WebGL.

The DirectX part is the rendering of the page on the client, all the server does is serve data. As such even if it was an issue it would be a none issue.

What website is dumb enough to do that?

Hmm I hope they only make ads Dx11, then poor old me won't be able to see them.

Any idea if Adblock kills Dx11 as well?

You're all missing it. The BROWSER makes use of DirectX to render, nothing to stop an OpenGL implementation on Linux.

Some game devs are brainwashed to think DX means huge profits and opengl doesn't.

Semper Fi

Don't Direct X devs get like a monetary bonus or something?

Looks cool.