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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Does anyone know why SteamOS is based on arch rather than Debian? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Just got a steam deck and immediately checked out the desktop mode, and I was somewhat surprised to see KDE and pacman as opposed to GNOME and apt, I have nothing against the former though a strong preference for the latter, anyone know why Volvo went in this direction?

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 5 months ago (2 children)

It was based on debian, but moved to arch.

I think they did it because honestly, arch is better for desktop-usage due to its rolling-release model.

Bugs in debian stick around forever.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I don't think that's a good point, since they make their own immutable images, so they can use whatever versions of software they want, and you don't normally get to update them with the rolling release

[–] pathief 14 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Yeah but what's the point of using Debian when you're going to have to manually package newer versions of a lot of software?

[–] c10l 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Why would they manually package them? Just grab the packages you need from testing or sid. This way you keep the solid Debian stable base OS and still bring in the latest and greatest of the things that matter for gaming.

[–] pathief 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

But why go through those hoops? What is the advantage Debian brings when you have to cherry pick packages and their dependencies from Sid? Stability is no longer an advantage when you are cherry picking from Sid lol.

[–] c10l 1 points 5 months ago

Stability is no longer an advantage when you are cherry picking from Sid lol.

This makes no sense. When 95% of the system is based on Debian stable, you get pretty much full stability of the base OS. All you need to pull in from the other releases is Mesa and related packages.

Perhaps the kernel as well, but I suspect they’re compiling their own with relevant parameters and features for the SD anyway, so not even that.

[–] bigmclargehuge 5 points 5 months ago

Yeah as an Arch user I disagree. Imo a handheld meant to be a plug and play system would hugely benefit from a stable OS with a laid back update schedule. You don't see PlayStation pushing constant updates the second BSD packages get new versions.

As others have said, Valve has their own immutable release system, so it doesn't really matter. In this case, the rolling release has even less to do with it. They likely chose Arch due to the up to date packages which benefit gaming.