Update: Canonical are now saying 32bit libraries will be "frozen" and not entirely dropped.
Original article:
Things are starting to get messy, after Canonical announced the end of 32bit support from Ubuntu 19.10 onwards, Valve have now responded.
Speaking on Twitter, Valve dev Pierre-Loup Griffais said:
Ubuntu 19.10 and future releases will not be officially supported by Steam or recommended to our users. We will evaluate ways to minimize breakage for existing users, but will also switch our focus to a different distribution, currently TBD.
I'm starting to think we might see a sharp U-turn from Canonical, as this is something that would hit them quite hard. Either way, the damage has been done.
I can't say I am surprised by Valve's response here. Canonical pretty clearly didn't think it through enough on how it would affect the desktop. It certainly seems like Canonical also didn't speak to enough developers first.
Perhaps this will give Valve a renewed focus on SteamOS? Interestingly, Valve are now funding some work on KWin (part of KDE).
Looks like I shall be distro hopping very soon…
To journalists from other websites reading: This does not mean the end of Linux support, Ubuntu is just one distribution.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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The comments on this article are closed.
I don't even understand how this has managed to become such a surprise for so many. Evidently Canonical should make a bigger and bolder announcement over this, but really, it's been in the pipeline for a long time already.
And like I said in that other discussion: One can't expect an old binary to run on new computers for all eternity.
Maybe it's too soon. Maybe it should have been handled differently. But the notion that the entire backlog of the history of gaming should be forever kept able to run across all future generations of operating systems... It's just dumb.
If you want to run old software, keep an old OS on your drive. Just like if you want to play your cassettes, keep a cassette player.
Last edited by Beamboom on 22 June 2019 at 6:13 pm UTC
And like I said in that other discussion: One can't expect an old binary to run on new computers for all eternity.
Maybe it's too soon. Maybe it should have been handled differently. But the notion that the entire backlog of the history of gaming should be forever kept able to run across all future generations of operating systems... It's just dumb.
If you want to run old software, keep an old OS on your drive. Just like if you want to play your cassettes, keep a cassette player.
Last edited by Beamboom on 22 June 2019 at 6:13 pm UTC
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Userwithaname Jun 22, 2019
I hope they do pick a different officially supported distro, as this will break the majority of people's Steam libraries. I'll switch my gaming system to whichever distro they officially support next.
Maybe this will result in more software and games being 64-bit, which could be a good thing, but it kinda makes Ubuntu useless for most people.
Last edited by Userwithaname on 22 June 2019 at 6:12 pm UTC
Maybe this will result in more software and games being 64-bit, which could be a good thing, but it kinda makes Ubuntu useless for most people.
Last edited by Userwithaname on 22 June 2019 at 6:12 pm UTC
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i know other people use ubuntu base to make their OS, Could PopOS get ubuntu 19.10 with 32bit support if they wanted to implement it ?
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Quoting: ArtenMacOS as different case. When Apple remove 32bit support, there is no other way.And? I still do not see the arguments why Valve should continue to support macOS. Not only because of the rejection of 32-bit support, but in general.
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QuoteCurrently, Steam for Linux is only supported on the most recent version of Ubuntu LTS with the Unity, Gnome, or KDE desktops.
Source
Steam on Linux is only supported on LTS versions of Ubuntu... so 18.10 wasn't, 19.04 isn't and 19.10 wouldn't have been officially supported btw.
(sorry but Pierre-Loup Griffais post reminds me those from Octave Klaba during OVH vs Ubuntu / Canonical clash some years ago on a totally unrelated subject... but the way of communicating around the issue is a bit similar)
0 Likes
EagleDelta Jun 22, 2019
Quoting: ThormackIf it happens, I hope they choose Debian as the new default supported distro.
Not really a fan of the RedHat distros.
I'd prefer a desktop specific distro be chosen. I, personally, prefer Pop!_OS as it's built by a company that knows Desktop/Laptop Hardware, focuses on FOSS, and is still Debian/Ubuntu based, and as such, I'm pretty much guaranteed to find packages for both my games and dev tools. Not always the case with OpenSUSE or Solus..... and I'm not a fan of potentially running two OSes (again) for gaming and dev.
0 Likes
EagleDelta Jun 22, 2019
Quoting: massatt212i know other people use ubuntu base to make their OS, Could PopOS get ubuntu 19.10 with 32bit support if they wanted to implement it ?
Pop!_OS plans to continue 32-bit support, even if that means they maintain it: https://chat.pop-os.org/community/pl/zkp565u3r7nimmh6f8anakhtrh (Need a login)
0 Likes
Quoting: iiariQuoting: NezchanI seriously don't want to be pressured into changing distros, so this is a tragedy for me from both sides. I've been using Ubuntu-MATE for years and I'm very comfortable with it, so this feels in a way like being evicted from my home. It's not pleasant to say the least.Then write to Ubuntu, as the rest of you who are on Ubuntu and don't want to forced off the distro should do...
I did that in the Discussions under the Link Liam provided.
I did it in a polite way (I even thanked them for the good work in the past).
An Admin deleted my post and set my Account on hold. --> That's how they care for the opinions of their users.
10 Likes, Who?
Quoting: wvstolzingQuoting: gradyvuckovicQuoting: keanI would even pay for it if everything works well.
I'd happily sign up to that, $10/month for a Valve developed Linux OS which provides the best possible gaming experience for Linux? Hell yes, give me that.
Kinda off-topic but I'm somewhat terrified that the idea of a 'subscription model' OS comes so naturally to people nowadays.
It is a lot of hard work, to maintain an OS/Distro. I get payed for my work and so it is no problem for me, to pay for the work of others.
I donated to Canonical for every new Version of Ubuntu/Kubuntu I used.
Should they work for me for free? Why?
2 Likes, Who?
Quoting: einherjarI did that in the Discussions under the Link Liam provided.
I did it in a polite way (I even thanked them for the good work in the past).
An Admin deleted my post and set my Account on hold. --> That's how they care for the opinions of their users.
Wow.
Are they so eager to f**k up?!?
Last edited by Eike on 22 June 2019 at 7:19 pm UTC
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I'm beginning to think that the decision Canonical made is exactly what they want. This is all speculation on my part, but I think they want to focus 100% on the enterprise (AWS, Azure, etc...) and get out of the end-user desktop market. Sad if true.
2 Likes, Who?
BlackBloodRum Jun 22, 2019
The good news is, Linux is not-alike Windows, in that we're not all tied to one specific distro.
Non-Linux users will often comment "Linux is too fragmented" with too many distributions to become mainstream. That, Linux having so many distros is a bad thing.
Well, to be honest. Steam and Canonical have just highlighted one of the reasons that we do have so many distros. It gives us the ability to quickly move on to a new distro when we're not happy with what's going on with our current.
Though, to be fair, I do not use uBuntu (never did). So I'm not overly bothered by their decision. But I can certainly understand how it will affect many people.
Go Fedora, Go Arch, Go Debian, Go Slackware, go wherever you feel comfortable next. Linux is great like that, you're never tied down.
A moment I am proud to have supported only Linux since 2003. As this demonstrates our ability to keep moving. A happy Fedora, Arch, CentOS user* here. :).
* I usually pick my distro based on the usage needed for a particular system.
Non-Linux users will often comment "Linux is too fragmented" with too many distributions to become mainstream. That, Linux having so many distros is a bad thing.
Well, to be honest. Steam and Canonical have just highlighted one of the reasons that we do have so many distros. It gives us the ability to quickly move on to a new distro when we're not happy with what's going on with our current.
Though, to be fair, I do not use uBuntu (never did). So I'm not overly bothered by their decision. But I can certainly understand how it will affect many people.
Go Fedora, Go Arch, Go Debian, Go Slackware, go wherever you feel comfortable next. Linux is great like that, you're never tied down.
A moment I am proud to have supported only Linux since 2003. As this demonstrates our ability to keep moving. A happy Fedora, Arch, CentOS user* here. :).
* I usually pick my distro based on the usage needed for a particular system.
12 Likes, Who?
Quoting: ryadCanonical should rename their distro in TrumpOS or something..Way to go political...smh.
0 Likes
Quoting: mphuZMoney? 3.26% of their users use MacOS, for linux it is only 0.84%. For them its only minimal investment. There is no mac proton, no investment into OS and driver development, thats all on Apple side. Valve can rebuild into 64 and blacklist 32 bit games on new MacOS and wait for some money from Feral ports and some another game. All hate from not suported 32bit can be targeted on Apple.Quoting: ArtenMacOS as different case. When Apple remove 32bit support, there is no other way.And? I still do not see the arguments why Valve should continue to support macOS. Not only because of the rejection of 32-bit support, but in general.
3 Likes, Who?
doomiebaby Jun 22, 2019
Quoting: wvstolzingQuoting: gradyvuckovicQuoting: keanI would even pay for it if everything works well.
I'd happily sign up to that, $10/month for a Valve developed Linux OS which provides the best possible gaming experience for Linux? Hell yes, give me that.
Kinda off-topic but I'm somewhat terrified that the idea of a 'subscription model' OS comes so naturally to people nowadays.
yeah... specially since you can pay for all distros if you want, and make requests... start a fund to get done what you want. or you can beg adobe to spin a distro where every single filetype is proprietary, and if you miss a monthly payment you lose your life. x3
1 Likes, Who?
doomiebaby Jun 22, 2019
Quoting: EzyRhinoI'm beginning to think that the decision Canonical made is exactly what they want. This is all speculation on my part, but I think they want to focus 100% on the enterprise (AWS, Azure, etc...) and get out of the end-user desktop market. Sad if true.
yeah, that thought had crossed my mind as well
2 Likes, Who?
i hate to be the one with the conspirations theories, but, microsoft make an partnership with canonical, then canonical shoot then selves in the foot like this for desktop users...
4 Likes, Who?
Mohandevir Jun 22, 2019
Might be too optimistic from my part, but seriously, I'm just eager to see the outcome of all this. Who knows, we might be surprised by what could be brought to the table by the "new players" that will be willing to fill the void left by Ubuntu's departure.
Canonical should remove all desktop references from their wiki. It's clearly not a target anymore. Of all the x86 platforms, desktop is the slowest to change and they have take that into account, unfortunately.
Canonical should remove all desktop references from their wiki. It's clearly not a target anymore. Of all the x86 platforms, desktop is the slowest to change and they have take that into account, unfortunately.
1 Likes, Who?
doomiebaby Jun 22, 2019
Quoting: BlackBloodRumThe good news is, Linux is not-alike Windows, in that we're not all tied to one specific distro.
Non-Linux users will often comment "Linux is too fragmented" with too many distributions to become mainstream. That, Linux having so many distros is a bad thing.
Well, to be honest. Steam and Canonical have just highlighted one of the reasons that we do have so many distros. It gives us the ability to quickly move on to a new distro when we're not happy with what's going on with our current.
Though, to be fair, I do not use uBuntu (never did). So I'm not overly bothered by their decision. But I can certainly understand how it will affect many people.
Go Fedora, Go Arch, Go Debian, Go Slackware, go wherever you feel comfortable next. Linux is great like that, you're never tied down.
A moment I am proud to have supported only Linux since 2003. As this demonstrates our ability to keep moving. A happy Fedora, Arch, CentOS user* here. :).
* I usually pick my distro based on the usage needed for a particular system.
and why i and people with my mindset are wary of any systems or structures that don't respect free will, honesty and real trustless choice/accountability; such systems are tyrannical in nature. this is indeed one of the biggest reasons i run linux; i can put my money and time with whomever i want, and don't get dragged into suffering by some 51% ...nuff said =P''
Last edited by doomiebaby on 22 June 2019 at 7:55 pm UTC
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eddie-foss Jun 22, 2019
I'm with Ubuntu at this time, even not using any *buntu or based since 2008, to isolate desktop and avoid user-space breakage we need a better solution like Dosbox did for 16bit programs, we need a real 32bit emulator and not the mess that turned nowadays as Wine evolves but 32bit libs frozen, no improvement, patches or fixes, more sooner than later 32bit libs will be incompatible with new toolkits and DE devs will just throw the towels. Since I came to Japan I stopped being a programmer afaik I guess that virtual machines in containers could be a better solution imho.
1 Likes, Who?
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