Steam Linux Beta Opens Up To More Gamers

[Kano]

Did you select your network speed right? Compared to the Win installer it does not ask the speed at first launch - you have to go to the settings and search for it manually. This highly affects download speed.

[ronybeck]

I'm not in the beta, but I can't get TF2 (or anything else) to launch. I haven't heard of anybody else having this trouble. It tries to launch and Steam recognizes that I "played" the game today, but no joy.

I had a similar experience. I noticed that there was some significant network traffic while TF2 appeared to be stuck in the "Launching" phase. I let it be for about 20 minutes and then *BAM*. It started working.

[ronybeck]

No problem, if Valve doesn't want me and my considerable debugging skills, they can eat shit and die. Nice to know they're picking Windows users and random bots for the beta instead of serious programmers who can find issues without the source code and maybe even fix them.

Maybe you should apply for a Job at Valve so you can employ your awesomeness as a debugger-without-source-code guru. I have to say that the prospect of debugging without source code is probably not on offer and sounds dull. I imagine that most of the debugging is done for you by Steam magic, automatically capturing crashes and problems then uploading data/logs/dumps to Valve so the valve-debuggers-with-source-code-and-Steam-APIs-and-Steam-Documentation gurus can fix and test the problems directly.

Alternatively, you can both satisfy your desperate need for Steam and compliment your debugging awesomeness by acquiring new Googling skills. With these skills you might learn that it is possible to run the beta client without being a part of the beta test group. That would be something! Steam awesomeness + debugging awesomeness + Googleing awesomeness == happy camper.

[Kano]

Well parts of the client are prepared to get a 64 bit update. Check

readlink ~/.steam/bin64

But it is not available right now.

[ronybeck]

The Steam fail start after install and update with error message "Failed to load steamui.so..."
And Steam it's 32 bit application only?

Linux has spoilt us users for many years now with a fairly consistent and mostly 64 bit experience. So it feels a little 20th century to be running 32 bit apps these days. I am on Ubuntu 12.10 64bit. The client runs fine for me. I can't say that the 32bit-ness noticeably interferes with my enjoyment of Steam games on linux. Or at least, the 32bit-ness isn't noticeable over the beta-ness of the release.

I would have much preferred a "Steam Channel" in Ubuntu's software centre. This to me makes more sense as a user but I can see that would make no sense to Valve. Still, I am eternally grateful for Valve's efforts and look forward to devoting large sums of money to indulge my linux and gaming addiction without the need to reboot. And the future of Linux as a desktop platform just got brighter.

[Larian]

I think people should be glad they're able to play at all

I'm not in the beta, but I can't get TF2 (or anything else) to launch. I haven't heard of anybody else having this trouble. It tries to launch and Steam recognizes that I "played" the game today, but no joy.

[AJenbo]

No problem, if Valve doesn't want me and my considerable debugging skills, they can eat shit and die. Nice to know they're picking Windows users and random bots for the beta instead of serious programmers who can find issues without the source code and maybe even fix them.

You should go debug your emotional state...

[garegin]

did they give a timeline on when they gonna release it or are they pulling a samba?

[r1348]

No problem, if Valve doesn't want me and my considerable debugging skills, they can eat shit and die. Nice to know they're picking Windows users and random bots for the beta instead of serious programmers who can find issues without the source code and maybe even fix them.

Now hear the voice of butthurt...

(P.S. I just got my invitation!)

[Vadi]

I'm not in the beta, I'm not spazzing out over not being in it, nor being a pita for them by trying to make it work either. It's an unfinished product that they're working on - that's pretty clear - so I'm waiting on until they finish it.