| ▲ | jorvi a day ago |
| You are being obtuse. 99% of Steam Deck users won't ever use the desktop mode except for maybe setting up emulation or Discord. In general, that makes Steam Deck users no more Linux users than people that use Android. |
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| ▲ | palata 12 hours ago | parent | next [-] |
| Where does that 99% number come from? The very reason why I bought a Steam Deck is because it is both a handheld and a Linux Desktop. |
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| ▲ | LoveMortuus 9 hours ago | parent [-] | | While I don't have data to support the number, I would say that it's a pretty safe bet to say that majority of Steam Deck owners do not use the desktop mode on regular basis, they might check out what it is, but the majority probably stays in the game mode. Regarding your point, do realise that just by being a NH reader, you're in the 1%, not to mention all the other delineations that are commonly attributed to the HN crowd. We are not the majority. |
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| ▲ | bigyabai a day ago | parent | prev | next [-] |
| Android users are Linux users. So are Nintendo Switch users, the whole "can Linux game/be used for mobile" question is already answered. |
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| ▲ | jorvi a day ago | parent | next [-] | | They aren't. Or not in the sense that it matters for traditional Linux desktop users, which is pretty much the only reason the metric gets brought up. Following your logic, people using the old TiVo setop boxes were also Linux users. Active Linux desktop adoption rates matter because it means companies will put money into ensuring their product works well on it. 1Password or Telegram is not going to meaningfully care about Steam Deck users. Or Android users vis a vis the Linux desktop client, because Android can't readily run Linux GUI applications :) It's honestly kind of nuts no one here is getting that. | | |
| ▲ | bigyabai a day ago | parent [-] | | It really doesn't matter, you're again conflating the "kernel" and "desktop" distinction that's important here. It's like saying that XNU isn't being used by gamers - in practice you're correct, but the kernel is used to run millions of iPhone games. It doesn't matter for the adoption of macOS as a gaming platform, but the kernel is used for it. What matters, to me as a Linux user on the desktop, is that Nintendo and Google simply follow the license. I don't want them contributing patches to GNOME or Firefox, I want them downstream testing the kernel and contributing patches back for me to benefit from. And I do! My Switch Pro controller has official Linux support because of Nintendo. My day-to-day life on the desktop is improved by both company's contributions. The idea that Nintendo or Google are neglecting their duty because Photoshop doesn't run on Linux is a facetious argument. It might be a major issue for you, but clearly millions of Linux users are perfectly happy without those trappings. > Or Android users vis a vis the Linux desktop client, because Android can't readily run Linux GUI applications :) A travesty for Android's adoption metrics, one can only imagine. Thankfully for Linux users, the inverse is not so true: https://waydro.id/ | | |
| ▲ | jorvi 9 hours ago | parent [-] | | > It really doesn't matter, you're again conflating the "kernel" and "desktop" distinction that's important here Right, under a post that says "Linux reaches 5% desktop market share". to which I will just point to my earlier remark: bringing up that stat only matters if you actually use desktop Linux and want the marketshare to increase so Photoshop or Affinity Photo will be released and supported on Linux. Steam Deck users spend the overwhelming majority of time in Game Mode / Big Picture. They care not for the Linux desktop experience, for they don't actively use it. If they don't actively use it, companies won't care about improving it. |
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| ▲ | Klonoar a day ago | parent | prev [-] | | Errr, isn’t the Switch BSD based? Or am I confusing it with the PS5? | | |
| ▲ | dole 15 hours ago | parent [-] | | Switch’s network stack and some drivers are FreeBSD based, but that’s about it |
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| ▲ | BolexNOLA 20 hours ago | parent | prev [-] |
| You would be correct if steam deck users were in line with the average computer user, but they definitely skew more towards the tech savvy crowd - the crowd that would be interested in desktop/emulation. Part of this is in order to use a steam deck, unless you want to be very limited, you kind of have to be a little more tech savvy. I love my deck, but it is definitely not plug and play/turn key like a switch is for instance. Hell until a year or so ago swapping between gaming and desktop mode resulted in a total crash like 30% of the time. It still doesn’t dock and undock seamlessly, you get all kinds of wild behavior with standard TVs still, and if you’re off your home network and it tries to update it can still lock you out. It’s not as bad as it used to be, but it’s still a distinct possibility. I love it and frankly the machine is a marvel, especially at its price point. But I still struggle to recommend it to people. |
