Linux ??
by Gary Roberson · in General Discussion · 12/20/2012 (5:35 pm) · 8 replies
I just read the blog about Torque3d Linux support. My question is what sort of industry uses Linux?
My thing is, people play video games at home, maybe at the arcades like Gamesworks, Buster & ( James???) this could be wrong too lazy to do an internet search at the moment, and maybe movie theater lobbies. So where does Linux fit in.
Of course, I realize people could have a Linux machine at home, or maybe at work, but if they're that dedicated to get a game, buy an Xbox, or Ps3, or maybe a Wii.
Of course, I've also heard of Linux since the early 2000's. Is the OS that important! I know it might be to developers since they don't have to pay Mr. Gates for the OS, but come on?
After buying a windows machine, or maybe even an MAC, who would want a Linux machine?
My thing is, people play video games at home, maybe at the arcades like Gamesworks, Buster & ( James???) this could be wrong too lazy to do an internet search at the moment, and maybe movie theater lobbies. So where does Linux fit in.
Of course, I realize people could have a Linux machine at home, or maybe at work, but if they're that dedicated to get a game, buy an Xbox, or Ps3, or maybe a Wii.
Of course, I've also heard of Linux since the early 2000's. Is the OS that important! I know it might be to developers since they don't have to pay Mr. Gates for the OS, but come on?
After buying a windows machine, or maybe even an MAC, who would want a Linux machine?
About the author
#2
So, porting to Linux gives you PC Linux and Android (plus architecture code changes) to start.
Now internet servers, routers, and many more invisible technology that just works also runs Linux. You use it everyday. If you get mail in the USA every address is scanned by a Linux system to determine routing.
In essence Linux tends to be invisible even when it is on your Android phone you use every day.
Why use it with a game engine? Because Steam is now on Linux, Vista did no favors for Microsoft, Windows 8 is doing even less favors for Microsoft, the economy is depressed so people see Linux as an alternative to $150 a pop per machine, and it is a very good platform to develop on as it tends to have a lot of developer tools out of the box. In addition if you are serving a game server on Linux it might be nice to pop open a client on the server even to check things out on the game itself.
12/20/2012 (6:33 pm)
These kinds of posts are so funny. Nobody seems to understand that Android is a version of Linux. Or that OSX is based upon BSD which has a lot of code that compiles for Linux that compiles on BSD and OSX. Many of the tools and libraries run on both those platforms unchanged.So, porting to Linux gives you PC Linux and Android (plus architecture code changes) to start.
Now internet servers, routers, and many more invisible technology that just works also runs Linux. You use it everyday. If you get mail in the USA every address is scanned by a Linux system to determine routing.
In essence Linux tends to be invisible even when it is on your Android phone you use every day.
Why use it with a game engine? Because Steam is now on Linux, Vista did no favors for Microsoft, Windows 8 is doing even less favors for Microsoft, the economy is depressed so people see Linux as an alternative to $150 a pop per machine, and it is a very good platform to develop on as it tends to have a lot of developer tools out of the box. In addition if you are serving a game server on Linux it might be nice to pop open a client on the server even to check things out on the game itself.
#3
Linux is not just a free alternative, it is actually an alternative.
Edit:
Also, even if I wouldn't ever consider using Linux, having as many export platforms as possible is always good, and at the price of 50$ it's a steal.
12/21/2012 (2:15 am)
Also, at my University, more and more people tend to convert from Windows to Linux. I myself use Windows, but have been thinking about going Linux often (actually, T3D have often kept me from not going Linux).Linux is not just a free alternative, it is actually an alternative.
Edit:
Also, even if I wouldn't ever consider using Linux, having as many export platforms as possible is always good, and at the price of 50$ it's a steal.
#4
12/21/2012 (12:20 pm)
This is also a case of supply and demand. The top requested feature for T3D is Linux support, according to our poll. We are putting that desire to the test. 
#5
12/21/2012 (12:58 pm)
Well ahead in actual use is Linux dedicated servers. All of Valve's own games have one. But once the core runs on Linux and the client portion runs on OS X, it's a short step to get a Linux client working. 
#6
Windows seven is my work OS and Ubuntu is my Super happy fun adventure time OS.
I like it. Very light weight, Starts up faster than Windows, etc.
However the lack of games is disturbing to me at least.
I am very happy that Garage Games is going out of their way to support Linux. :)
12/22/2012 (6:15 pm)
Linux has come a long way since its early days. I used to use windows exclusively on my PCs. I am currently using Ubuntu version 12.10 on my desktop in A dual boot. Windows seven is my work OS and Ubuntu is my Super happy fun adventure time OS.
I like it. Very light weight, Starts up faster than Windows, etc.
However the lack of games is disturbing to me at least.
I am very happy that Garage Games is going out of their way to support Linux. :)
#7
it's whats used by the unity guy's as well for converting HLSL/CG into GLSL
12/23/2012 (8:22 am)
in case any of the porters check in here: http://icculus.org/mojoshader/it's whats used by the unity guy's as well for converting HLSL/CG into GLSL
#8
12/27/2012 (3:59 am)
linux does more then you think, hell valve just released a steam clint for ubuntu 12.04 it in open beta right now 
Torque Owner David Robert Pemberton
www.deadlyassets.com
I don't currently or even have plans to use Linux but I can see the advantages of opening up another of the popular os's
You don't need a different machine (although there are some new ones coming out that use only linux) Linux will run on a PC's, Mac's, Mobile phones etc.