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People have used their Steam Deck to do all sorts of crazy things but this latest is nuts. It seems people in Ukraine are using it to help work an automatic turret. From ТРО Медіа on Facebook, they shared a post giving a few details into it with it translating roughly as:

"Sablya" is a Ukrainian automated remote-controlled fire complex designed for stationary installation on real estate objects or special transport.

The Shable Coordination is done via a remote control, camera and monitor, which allows combat from up to 500 from the rig, while preserving the operator's life.

A combat platform can be installed both stationary at checkpoints, border and other zones, including to defeat low-flying enemy "drones". On the platform you can install any light anti-infantry or anti-tank weapon weapon, for example, machine gun kalashnikov.

And what did people spot in the pictures? A Steam Deck:

Well, it is an entire computer in your hands with a screen, with a full Linux desktop mode available. So sure, why not. Thinking plainly, it's not too different to them sitting with a laptop of any other brand, just that little bit more portable. The other side is that they could just be using it to play some games in between testing and who could blame them eh?

There's spotting a Steam Deck "in the wild" and then there's this. Quite a surprise.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Steam Deck, Misc
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27 comments
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ExpandingMan Apr 25, 2023
I haven't bought a steam deck because I couldn't think of what I could possibly use it for. Now I have an idea.
Solitary Apr 25, 2023
Vardamir Apr 25, 2023
Maybe they are just playing Counterstrike, but with real weapons?
mr-victory Apr 25, 2023
The million dollar question: Does the Steam Deck run Linux or Windows?!
elmapul Apr 25, 2023
if they are using gyro to shoot, they will get some shoots with great precision...
mr-victory Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: elmapulif they are using gyro to shoot, they will get some shoots with great precision...
This explains why a regular PC didn't cut it.
Pirolisi Apr 25, 2023
I hope they do not rely on Wi-Fi 5 ghz
Pengling Apr 25, 2023
With real-world practical applications now being sighted, it's rather like the Steam Deck has become a real-life version of the Personal Terminal from MegaMan Battle Network.
miro Apr 25, 2023
What the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.
Beaky Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: miroWhat the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.

If russians do not want to get laughed at they could just leave or surrender and not slaughter anything that lives.

The only fucked up thing is what the russians are doing in ukraine.


Last edited by Beaky on 25 April 2023 at 5:58 pm UTC
Beaky Apr 25, 2023
I had an idea for using the deck as a drone controller but never followed up on it.

That just takes it to a new level

Quoting: mr-victoryThe million dollar question: Does the Steam Deck run Linux or Windows?!
If you zoom in closely you can faintly see the steam deck background. Of course they could have just changed it on windows.


Last edited by Beaky on 25 April 2023 at 5:40 pm UTC
BlooAlien Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: mr-victoryThe million dollar question: Does the Steam Deck run Linux or Windows?!

Yes.
Salvatos Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: miroWhat the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.
It’s not designed to kill people, it’s designed to repel invaders.
rustybroomhandle Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: miroWhat the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.

Are you suggesting we treat the Russian invading army of genocidal psychopaths with respect?
Purple Library Guy Apr 25, 2023
My opinions on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the connections to NATO (both before and after the fact) are complex. But this is still cool. No matter what the geopolitics behind an invasion, it's still an invasion, the invaded are going to fight back, and it's interesting that they find the Steam Deck useful in doing so. Who knows? Maybe there are Russian soldiers doing the exact same thing. This is really about the functionality, not the politics.
robvv Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: LeflThe only fucked up thing is what the russians are doing in ukraine

Agreed. If my country was invaded, I'd be using whatever was at my disposal to repel the invaders and if the Steam Deck fits the job then so be it.
Purple Library Guy Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: rustybroomhandle
Quoting: miroWhat the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.

Are you suggesting we treat the Russian invading army of genocidal psychopaths with respect?
They're perfectly ordinary people, just like the American armies that invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and are still occupying part of Syria are made up of perfectly ordinary people.
I really think there should be a line drawn between saying "Russian foreign policy is fucked up" and being racist about Russians.
Matombo Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: rustybroomhandle
Quoting: miroWhat the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.

Are you suggesting we treat the Russian invading army of genocidal psychopaths with respect?
They're perfectly ordinary people, just like the American armies that invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and are still occupying part of Syria are made up of perfectly ordinary people.
I really think there should be a line drawn between saying "Russian foreign policy is fucked up" and being racist about Russians.

This, a Russian Soldier is still a Human and not an Orc, regardless of how unjust the war is he is fighting in.
RavenWings Apr 25, 2023
Quoting: Matombo
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: rustybroomhandle
Quoting: miroWhat the actual fuq?
Is this for real? You do know that this is designed to kill people, not in a cs-fashion but for real. And all with the currently f'ed up narrative and politics, you are cracking jokes with it.

I can not believe this, what a shame.

Are you suggesting we treat the Russian invading army of genocidal psychopaths with respect?
They're perfectly ordinary people, just like the American armies that invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and are still occupying part of Syria are made up of perfectly ordinary people.
I really think there should be a line drawn between saying "Russian foreign policy is fucked up" and being racist about Russians.

This, a Russian Soldier is still a Human and not an Orc, regardless of how unjust the war is he is fighting in.

Agreed, its really no laughing matter. I´m all for Ukrainians utilizing what ever they can to defend themselves, but most Russian soldiers are probaply victims of propaganda, thinking they´re fighting for a just cause. While deaths on both sides may not be equaly tragic, they are tragedies nonetheless.

To quote Nico Bellic: "War is where the old and bitter trick the young and stupid into killing each other".
InhaleOblivion Apr 25, 2023
This is just further proof of the power of Linux. Thanks again Valve.
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