Creat
@Creat@discuss.tchncs.de
- Comment on Desktop Linux distros similar to Steam OS? 4 weeks ago:
Windows software is always the same (immutable distro or not), as it is run with “wine”. To run Windows programs they are installed in what’s called a prefix, which is basically just a folder containing stuff related to Windows. Things like “program files” and all the other folder structures a Windows program would expect, and will then appear as a drive letter. The prefix is generated inside your home folder (typically) anyway, which is always writable, and one can house multiple windows programs (or just the one if that needs special settings).
Immutability matters more for the actual Linux system and how you install Linux native software. Normally, you install software using a package manager (pacman on Arch, apt for Debian, …), and each package knows what else is needed to run it, and that gets installed as well. Many programs needing the same library means that library will be installed once. For an immutable distro this is basically fixed, and programs get run using “flatpacks” (there are similar solutions with other names, same idea). These are similar to packages from a package manager, but instead everything needed to run a program it’s always contained. That means they are bigger, but this will run on any distro, as it doesn’t have to tell the package manager what else to install. There are other technical details, like flatpacks are somewhat isolated, but nothing critical.
I would suggest finding a YouTube video or article to go into more detail if this matters to you, or if you just want to know more about the differences and reasons for using each of them.
Basic idea: immutable distro has stable base, updates are rarer, but system harder to modify. Regular distro is easier to tinker with, and a rolling release means frequent updates (doesn’t mean you need to install them frequently, btw), but occasionally things do break and might even require a manual fix.
- Comment on Desktop Linux distros similar to Steam OS? 4 weeks ago:
For some reason CachyOS hasn’t been mentioned. Like others said basically any distro can do what you’re describing, and this one is also one of those “with gaming in mind” distros. Didn’t mean you can’t do anything else on them, but anything making should “just work”. They also have a dedicated image/installer for “handheld” PCs like the steam deck that come preconfigured for that interface combination (but don’t use this special image on a normal PC/desktop).
Like SteamOS, it’s based on Arch, but unlike SteamOS or Bazzite it isn’t immutable. That’s a matter of preference. Being a rolling release means frequent and direct updates of new releases of any kind (kernel, software, everything, …).
- Comment on EA rebrand and refresh their anti-cheat into EA Javelin Anticheat, still blocks Linux / Steam Deck 2 months ago:
With my backlog of games I have, but never played, I really find it hard to care. I’m not running out of games. Keep piling on reasons for never buying your games. So I won’t. Not my loss.
Eventually it’ll be enough reasons for enough people that they’ll notice. Guessing it isn’t that time yet though?
- Comment on Alternative OS? 2 months ago:
There’s also PikaOS. It’s using Debian mechanics (so apt as the package manager and such), but a modern kernel and their own repos. If you’re more used to this world, might be worth a look.
I personally also came from a mostly debian background, but ended up going with CachyOS for my desktop needs. It’s arch based, and just very polished and well thought out.
- Comment on Fixing a Steam Deck OLED bug for the Linux kernel 6.14 release was a major challenge 3 months ago:
Ah yes the old classic “I don’t know what the actual problem is, but just waiting a bit seems to help”.
- Comment on Best of Steam 2024 - the top performing games on steam, including best sellers on Steam Deck 7 months ago:
Oh right, had just assumed it’s 720p because the width is 1280. So it isn’t 16:9, which is nice but slightly surprising!
- Comment on Best of Steam 2024 - the top performing games on steam, including best sellers on Steam Deck 7 months ago:
The display of the steam deck is only 720p in the first place.
- Comment on Valve will finally sell the Steam Deck in Australia 9 months ago:
“a few hundred more” for a device that only costs a few hundred to begin with seems a rather hefty premium to pay, and calling that “lucky”.
- Comment on Apple relents and approves Spotify app with EU pricing 11 months ago:
So it’s fully on brand for Apple then?
- Comment on Will anything dethrone the Steam Deck? Probably not -GamingonLinux 1 year ago:
Despite how good the steam deck is, any competition is good. With MS hardware track record I don’t have the highest hopes, but again: any competition is good.
- Comment on NonSteamLaunchers Steam Deck plugin in testing, plus a way to Remote Play Together anything 1 year ago:
Heroic also supports Amazon games, doesn’t it?
- Comment on [Game] Fallout 4 Loses Graphical Options on Steam Deck From "Next-Gen" Update 1 year ago:
Totally not needed either. Just have an additional shortcut for “safe mode” and it’s fine. No need for a full launcher just for that…
- Comment on [Game] Fallout 4 Loses Graphical Options on Steam Deck From "Next-Gen" Update 1 year ago:
The core lesson should be “stop adding useless launchers” and even more so “stop making launchers the only way to change graphics settings”. I’m glad the steam deck has rules in place that prevent games with a forced launcher to receive a “verified”.
That’s what I’m taking away from this anyway.