Valve Software Joins the Linux Foundation
Valve Software is now finally part of the Linux Foundation collective.
The Linux Foundation announced on Wednesday that Valve Software has finally become one of its newest members, along with the HSA Foundation that's backed by AMD, ARM, Imagination Technologies, Qualcomm and a number of others. Valve Software is currently working on SteamOS, a Linux-based gaming platform designed to be the core OS for its Steam Machines PC "console" initiative.
"Joining the Linux Foundation is one of many ways Valve is investing in the advancement of Linux gaming. Through these efforts, we hope to contribute tools for developers building new experiences on Linux, compel hardware manufacturers to prioritize support for Linux, and ultimately deliver an elegant and open platform for Linux users," said Mike Sartain of Valve.
Platinum members of the Linux Foundation include Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, NEC, Oracle, Qualcomm and Samsung. Gold members include AMD, China Mobile, Cisco, Google, Hitachi, Huawei, Motorola and several others. A much larger list of Silver members includes Adobe, Broadcom, Canonical, D-Link, Dell and so on. Where Valve and the HSA Foundation will fit into this tier system is currently unknown.
The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to the growth of Linux and collaborative software development. The organization was founded back in 2000 and sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds. The organization also promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system and collaborative software development by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source community.
"Our membership continues to grow as both new and mature entities embrace community development and open technologies," said Mike Woster, chief operating officer, The Linux Foundation. "Our new members believe Linux is a strategic investment that allows their markets to evolve as quickly as possible to achieve long-term viability and competitiveness."
Valve introduced SteamOS back in September. The new operating system is designed for the TV and the living room, and will be made available to download for free. Valve said that although the company previously worked on bringing Steam to the living room with elements such as Big Picture, the only way to offer the best environment would be to simply develop an entire operating system.
For more information about the Linux Foundation, head here.

Will definately be keeping an eye on it
I have to partially disagree with this. I think Steam OS should be a gaming only highly optimized platform, and Steam should exist alternatively as a part of a large Linux based OS developed by the Foundation.
This is because there are a lot of professional software out there that still lack proper Linux support (or a linux version at all). examples would be autodesk and Adobe. until proper alternatives can be found, professional gamers like myself will keep AT LEAST ONE high-powered PC for content creation etc. dual-booting into Steam OS would only be attractive as a highly optimized gaming platform, as I can't get that much work done on Linux atm...
This is because there are a lot of professional software out there that still lack proper Linux support (or a linux version at all). examples would be autodesk and Adobe. until proper alternatives can be found, professional gamers like myself will keep AT LEAST ONE high-powered PC for content creation etc. dual-booting into Steam OS would only be attractive as a highly optimized gaming platform, as I can't get that much work done on Linux atm...
If by "AutoDesk" you mean AutoCAD, try DraftSight from Dassault Systèmes, the same developer as Solidworks and Catia.
This is because there are a lot of professional software out there that still lack proper Linux support (or a linux version at all). examples would be autodesk and Adobe. until proper alternatives can be found, professional gamers like myself will keep AT LEAST ONE high-powered PC for content creation etc. dual-booting into Steam OS would only be attractive as a highly optimized gaming platform, as I can't get that much work done on Linux atm...
If by "AutoDesk" you mean AutoCAD, try DraftSight from Dassault Systèmes, the same developer as Solidworks and Catia.
I meant Maya. and I guess I should specify that the problem isn't that I can't personally find an alternative, but rather Windows is very much entrenched in the enterprise and will easily take a decade or more to remove. until then, anyone working for one of these enterprises will do well to keep at least one Windows based system. which leaves Linux only for 'side jobs' (read running that NAS), 'personal tasks', or entertainment.
I have to partially disagree with this. I think Steam OS should be a gaming only highly optimized platform, and Steam should exist alternatively as a part of a large Linux based OS developed by the Foundation.
This is because there are a lot of professional software out there that still lack proper Linux support (or a linux version at all). examples would be autodesk and Adobe. until proper alternatives can be found, professional gamers like myself will keep AT LEAST ONE high-powered PC for content creation etc. dual-booting into Steam OS would only be attractive as a highly optimized gaming platform, as I can't get that much work done on Linux atm...
I just don't see the downside in putting a full OS on it. Obviously Linux is on there or you couldn't game on it. So they might as well open up the other uses for it. Personally, I wouldn't want to devote a computer to just gaming and don't really want to dual boot either. It seems dumb to me to dual boot, with one version of linux being gaming only and then to switch to a full linux.... I don't see how that would make sense.
I get that a lot of people will still have a Windows machine. But a lot of people won't. Take me for example, I only use my computer for gaming, writing, surfing the net, watching videos, preparing presentations etc.... I don't actually need Windows to do that. About the only MS program that I would miss is Power Point, but there are viable alternatives to it out there.
What ever Valve stripe down from mainline Linux you will be able to put back in because its open source OS & even more than that! Just like it's done on Android (with costume kernels) .
(by General Techniq, 2016)
1. Too expensive for console gamers, too restrictive for hardcore PC gamers.
2. Performance issues. If console gamers can be annoyed by underperforming, buggy, game systems... If PC gamers can go ballistic when their games crash or are too demanding for their systems to run successfully.... then Steam Box users go lynch mob or stake burning when their Steam Boxes have issues with "steam" games.
3. The shameless suggestion of infinite upgradability. Lies such as these only work once on a consumer collective. Afterwards, the only hope for continued success on the same front for a particular goods provider would be to launch a "new and improved" model with the promise (suggested only) that it will be everything that the previous model was not.
4. Linux.
5. Logistics, consumer support, quality, presence, promotion, reception....... Welcome to the world of electronic hardware entertainment, Valve. Feel free to take your freshman spanking with a grain of salt. (By the way, if you're looking for a recent example of how bad this can get for you, go research "original xbox - japan"
6. Games. No matter what, if your system can't sell games that were specifically developed/ported just for it (Linux), the developers won't be able to humor your aspirations of global dominance for long before the top execs start having to answer to the shareholders. (see; Wii, Wii-U)
7. Sure, it plays games....... but what else can it do? Does it does anything better than it's competitors? Anything? Why buy steam box instead of PC?
Toms has a very pro-Microsoft audiance, probably because a lot of it's readers work in IT with Windows based machines and that's where their knowledge (and job skills) are. Also, Windows is what most people use NOW so naturally they defend what they have and the products they use etc.
Rarely do you get any sort of discussion on the actual advantages/disadvantages of Windows vs Linux because all anyone ever cites is software compatibility which has nothing to do with the effectiveness and design of the OS itself, but everything to do with Microsoft's near monopoly on the PC sector for decades.
Additionally, most people have never tried Linux or if they have don't look at it with any sort of open mind.
As JD88 just pointed out, most folks on toms are mainly windows users, my self included. I also quite like Linux, but I just don't see it as a platform that will ever overcome its dependency on config file editing and use of a shell/terminal interface. Its cool if your a power user, but not for the average joe.
I hope valve have a good game plan and can challenge windows and even the consoles. I think even most of the hardcore windows users want to see some alternative to that god awful windows 8/metro UI microsoft seem to think forcing on the desktop user is some how a good idea.
Look at all those big names in the Foundation. The Foundation's been around since 2000. What have they done so far? Why would you think the inclusion of Valve / Steam OS would suddenly make some huge impact?
Who's dumping real money into open source compilers, making them competitive?
At the end of the day, the 'suits' will see market share and say 'nah'. Who's going to put up the marketing dollars? It's too expensive and the guarantee of a return on that investment? There isn't one.
I'd love to see Microsoft see some real competition. There's so many layers to this onion, and the OS is just one. It costs too much to peel every layer, make brand new layers, and then piece it all back together. You're literally counting on a bunch of companies, from all angles, to throw a ton of money into a pit, and make a wish. I'm sorry.
Steam OS is open source and much more open than something like the Xbox.
According to Tweaktown:
"Steam is not a one-way content broadcast channel, it's a collaborative many-to-many entertainment platform, in which each participant is a multiplier of the experience for everyone else," Valve stated. "With SteamOS, 'openness' means that the hardware industry can iterate in the living room at a much faster pace than they've been able to. Content creators can connect directly to their customers. Users can alter or replace any part of the software or hardware they want. Gamers are empowered to join in the creation of the games they love. SteamOS will continue to evolve, but will remain an environment designed to foster these kinds of innovation."
Read more at http://www.tweaktown.com/news/33081/valve-unveils-steamos-an-open-source-free-os-for-the-living-room/index.html#UaCmG8XWgAM3PdIH.99
Look at all those big names in the Foundation. The Foundation's been around since 2000. What have they done so far? Why would you think the inclusion of Valve / Steam OS would suddenly make some huge impact?
Who's dumping real money into open source compilers, making them competitive?
At the end of the day, the 'suits' will see market share and say 'nah'. Who's going to put up the marketing dollars? It's too expensive and the guarantee of a return on that investment? There isn't one.
I'd love to see Microsoft see some real competition. There's so many layers to this onion, and the OS is just one. It costs too much to peel every layer, make brand new layers, and then piece it all back together. You're literally counting on a bunch of companies, from all angles, to throw a ton of money into a pit, and make a wish. I'm sorry.
The same could have been said for the release of any console or even something like Android and look where it is. The costs of porting games to Linux really isn't that great, especially now that everything is architecturally similar.