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Comic for: August 2nd, 2012
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Gaming News: "Water Noodle"
Posted: Thursday August 2nd, 2012 by

So Valve has been encouraging people to install a Linux OS on their computers. They've also been working on a Linux version of Steam. I'm guessing this all has something to do with Gabe Newell's less-than-glowing response to Windows 8. [more info] Thing is though, Richard Stallman, the guy that started the GNU Project (a massive free software initiative), thinks that Steam runs counter to the spirit of Linux. [more info] Sure he'd like to see more people using GNU and Linux, but he doesn't feel that should be done by making "popular non-free programs" available available on the otherwise free systems.

I'll be honest, I think that's a bit ridiculous. I applaud the GNU initiative. It's awesome that people are willing to develop software for us to use for free. But, for as much as I like "free", I love gaming. I would not adopt an OS that looked down its nose at me because I have programs/games that I've purchased and would like to install on my computer. Stallman sees this as a question worthy of debate. And I can see where he's coming from. I just think that mindset limits the probability of things like Linux seeing wide adoption particularly in the gaming nerd set.

Gotta pick your battles Mr. Stallman. And, "No Steam" might not be the right one.

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