Need something similar to SteamOS for your desktop or handhelds like the Steam Deck? The latest release of Bazzite with version 2.2 sounds like it just keeps getting better.
Technically not a Linux distribution, and they don't call Bazzite a Linux distro. It's more of a community-rebuild based on Fedora Linux using ublue-os/main and ublue-os/nvidia with lots of extras included. It's still not yet something for beginners, with their install experience gradually improving. But for people who love to tinker, this could be a bit of fun.
The 2.2 release includes some big changes like a new modified fsync kernel with enhanced hardware support, HDR and more. You also get Nintendo HID support, a Webapp Manager, Pods as a default feature which is great for managing distrobox/containers, improvements to Steam Deck support, patches to Gamescope pulled in from ChimeraOS and tons of tweaks to both the GNOME and KDE desktop environments available. Plus lots of bug fixes.
So why use this? As they explain:
Bazzite started as a project to resolve some of the issues that plague SteamOS, mainly out of date packages (despite an Arch base) and the lack of a functional package manager.
Despite this project also being image-based, you are able to install any Fedora package straight from the command line. These packages will persist across updates (So go ahead and install that obscure VPN software you spent an hour trying to get working in SteamOS). Additionally, Bazzite is updated multiple times a week with packages from upstream Fedora, giving you the best possible performance and latest features - all on a stable base.
Bazzite ships with the latest Linux kernel and SELinux enabled by default with full support for secure boot (Run ujust enroll-secure-boot-key and enter the password ublue-os if prompted to enroll our key) and disk encryption, making this a sensible solution for general computing. (Yes, you can print from Bazzite)
More is explained in their full FAQ.
See more on the GitHub page.
Quoting: rustybroomhandleThese "issues that plague SteamOS" are not issues at all, they're such by design to provide a stable OS for use on appliance-like hardware.Well, I suppose if you want to both own a Steam Deck and be a tinkerer, they become issues. One use-case's feature is another use-case's bug.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyWell, I suppose if you want to both own a Steam Deck and be a tinkerer, they become issues. One use-case's feature is another use-case's bug.Which is exactly why the Linux landscape is the way it is, and it's better that way. People should fork or spin software to allow for alternative use and viewpoints, even if there is also a need for centralized way of shipping authoritative official end-user software. And this is why Nix + Flatpak are indeed the superior way of shipping packages
Quoting: fenglengshun... it's better that way. People should ... allow for alternative use and viewpoints ... And this is why Nix + Flatpak are indeed the superior way of shipping packages
You can see the irony here, do you?
Quoting: Purple Library Guy"Tinkerers" are a niche in OSs, that's why Mac and Windows are dominant. Linux will only be popular if everything works out of the box without tinkering, and people that want that will have it in niche external and small distros.Quoting: rustybroomhandleThese "issues that plague SteamOS" are not issues at all, they're such by design to provide a stable OS for use on appliance-like hardware.Well, I suppose if you want to both own a Steam Deck and be a tinkerer, they become issues. One use-case's feature is another use-case's bug.
Quoting: Deleted_UserYou can see the irony here, do you?That's what's the emoji's for
Thanks in advance :)
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