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"Can I download the OS to try it out? You will be able to download it (including the source code, if you're into that)" So it will be open source...

vinkelhake 13y ago
Since SteamOS is Linux and they're distributing it, they have to. This doesn't mean that any of the Valve applications running on top of it will be open source. I don't expect them to be.
- simias 13y ago
  The question is about "SteamOS" however, not the kernel. That means that the userland might be open source as well (like android). Actually it's a must if they want people to actually port their OS to a wide range of hardware. That being said Steam (the app) will obviously remain closed source.
  - Touche 13y ago
    What userland is there? It runs startx and launches Steam Big Picture, right?
    - AimHere 13y ago
      And right there you're going to need a sizeable chunk of X windows, and a C library, and network configuration utilities, hardware management tools (looks like this is aimed at commodity hardware + reference machines from Valve) and the guts of a web browser and Steam itself. I wouldn't be totally surprised to find coreutils or at least busybox in the default install too, for aiding and abetting system initialising (and to please the intrepid few who somehow make their way to a command line).
      - Touche 13y ago
        Sure, not contending there is userland, just wondering if there is any interesting userland that Valve develops. They won't be open sourcing steam, so the fact that they release their build of X windows that is exactly the same as upstream isn't very interesting.
    - snotrockets 13y ago
      I hope it won't use X. The sooner we can get rid of X, the better. Problem is, we now have 2 (maybe more?) would be replacements, and I'm sure there are more to come. Obligatory XKCD reference: http://xkcd.com/927/ http://xkcd.com/927/
  - vinkelhake 13y ago
    Is there any reason to suspect that the SteamOS userland isn't the same (or at least very similar) to what you'd have on Ubuntu? It seems like asking for trouble to go with a completely custom userland (even if they open source it).

vinkelhake 13y ago

Since SteamOS is Linux and they're distributing it, they have to. This doesn't mean that any of the Valve applications running on top of it will be open source. I don't expect them to be.

simias 13y ago
The question is about "SteamOS" however, not the kernel. That means that the userland might be open source as well (like android). Actually it's a must if they want people to actually port their OS to a wide range of hardware. That being said Steam (the app) will obviously remain closed source.
- Touche 13y ago
  What userland is there? It runs startx and launches Steam Big Picture, right?
  - AimHere 13y ago
    And right there you're going to need a sizeable chunk of X windows, and a C library, and network configuration utilities, hardware management tools (looks like this is aimed at commodity hardware + reference machines from Valve) and the guts of a web browser and Steam itself. I wouldn't be totally surprised to find coreutils or at least busybox in the default install too, for aiding and abetting system initialising (and to please the intrepid few who somehow make their way to a command line).
    - Touche 13y ago
      Sure, not contending there is userland, just wondering if there is any interesting userland that Valve develops. They won't be open sourcing steam, so the fact that they release their build of X windows that is exactly the same as upstream isn't very interesting.
  - snotrockets 13y ago
    I hope it won't use X. The sooner we can get rid of X, the better. Problem is, we now have 2 (maybe more?) would be replacements, and I'm sure there are more to come. Obligatory XKCD reference: http://xkcd.com/927/ http://xkcd.com/927/
- vinkelhake 13y ago
  Is there any reason to suspect that the SteamOS userland isn't the same (or at least very similar) to what you'd have on Ubuntu? It seems like asking for trouble to go with a completely custom userland (even if they open source it).