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I think the above poster was more talking in terms of market share. I only use free software, so I don't really have an incentive to shill against Linux here, b

by caslon 5y ago

I think the above poster was more talking in terms of market share. I only use free software, so I don't really have an incentive to shill against Linux here, but it's worth noting that among the premiere desktop gaming platform, more people use PC VR than Linux. Linux isn't winning here, despite its better...everything, because Windows has two major advantages: It's already installed, and games are marketed to kids who more often than not probably don't have a choice in operating system! Markets don't optimize for efficiency in computing.

auggierose 5y ago
Also, Linux isn't better everything, it is a pita.
- Zhyl 5y ago
  It's not as good as the evangelists make out, it's not as hopeless as the detractors make out. The "news" is that in the last 5 years it has gone from "absolutely not viable for gaming" to "good enough for a lot of people".
  - pjmlp 5y ago
    Hardly, when the solution is to emulate the ABI of another OS. OS/2 was also a great platform for games by that measure, thanks Win-OS/2.
    - Zhyl 5y ago
      I'm not really sure what you mean. You can play games on it. That's good enough for a lot of people. I don't really see why it being due to a compatibility layer or being native has much to do with my claim.
      - pjmlp 5y ago
        The Windows compatibility layer for OS/2 was one of the reasons why at the end of the day no one cared to create OS/2 applications, providing zero benefits to acquire it versus the real deal. Same applies to GNU/Linux, hence Windows continues to thrive, while the 1% of the desktop folks get to taste Windows games with an ABI emulation layer.
        Zhyl 5y ago
        I think in contrast Linux has plenty going for it, especially in the context of Windows being increasingly buggy, bloated, advertising-ridden, telemetry sending behemoth which has frustrated users universally with mandated update policies. Linux is mostly not being used because people don't have all the software they need and translation layers solve that. We're entering a different space in desktop OS usage. Windows is changing the desktop metaphor to be more similar to macOS and mobile computing is being used by an increasing number of people as a daily driver. In short, I don't think ABI emulation layers are the reason Linux is only at 1%. Indeed it was at 1% before Proton was released.
Zhyl 5y ago
That's true, I don't think it will be exploding without either of the blockers you mention being overcome. I do think the above poster hasn't made it clear the experience they're speaking to. A lot of "anti" sentiment I see is based on things that aren't really true anymore. If all were informed and were giving their considered opinion that despite recent advances they still don't foresee a large gain in marketshare then that's fair enough. I think my main issue is with uniformed generalisations being stated as if fact backed up by recent and relevant experience. Having said that I do agree with your post, so please note that my criticisms don't apply to you!

by caslon 5y ago

auggierose 5y ago

Also, Linux isn't better everything, it is a pita.

Zhyl 5y ago
It's not as good as the evangelists make out, it's not as hopeless as the detractors make out. The "news" is that in the last 5 years it has gone from "absolutely not viable for gaming" to "good enough for a lot of people".
- pjmlp 5y ago
  Hardly, when the solution is to emulate the ABI of another OS. OS/2 was also a great platform for games by that measure, thanks Win-OS/2.
  - Zhyl 5y ago
    I'm not really sure what you mean. You can play games on it. That's good enough for a lot of people. I don't really see why it being due to a compatibility layer or being native has much to do with my claim.
    - pjmlp 5y ago
      The Windows compatibility layer for OS/2 was one of the reasons why at the end of the day no one cared to create OS/2 applications, providing zero benefits to acquire it versus the real deal. Same applies to GNU/Linux, hence Windows continues to thrive, while the 1% of the desktop folks get to taste Windows games with an ABI emulation layer.
      - Zhyl 5y ago
        I think in contrast Linux has plenty going for it, especially in the context of Windows being increasingly buggy, bloated, advertising-ridden, telemetry sending behemoth which has frustrated users universally with mandated update policies. Linux is mostly not being used because people don't have all the software they need and translation layers solve that. We're entering a different space in desktop OS usage. Windows is changing the desktop metaphor to be more similar to macOS and mobile computing is being used by an increasing number of people as a daily driver. In short, I don't think ABI emulation layers are the reason Linux is only at 1%. Indeed it was at 1% before Proton was released.

Zhyl 5y ago

That's true, I don't think it will be exploding without either of the blockers you mention being overcome. I do think the above poster hasn't made it clear the experience they're speaking to. A lot of "anti" sentiment I see is based on things that aren't really true anymore. If all were informed and were giving their considered opinion that despite recent advances they still don't foresee a large gain in marketshare then that's fair enough. I think my main issue is with uniformed generalisations being stated as if fact backed up by recent and relevant experience. Having said that I do agree with your post, so please note that my criticisms don't apply to you!