It seems most responders on the list are somewhat supportive of Steam on GNU/Linux because it may help increase exposure to GNU/Linux and Free Software. I can't say I disagree, although I'm disappointed at the willingness of users to install proprietary software on their GNU/Linux systems. But how important is Steam on GNU/Linux to the free software community and how can we best educate users about their decisions and consequences?
I understand the importance of free software in education and government, but I'm not significantly concerned with free software gaming. Games are novel entertainment, and I think are a much lower priority than programs and tools that serve developmental and critical system functioning. People deserve the right to choose free or proprietary software. It's too bad that many users decide to use a platform more conducive towards novel entertainment than one that retains user freedom. But most here agree that users should at least retain their rights to install proprietary software, right? I have doubts that free software can excel in gaming because much of the gaming industry has serious income. Some of the franchises are literally worth billions of dollars (Call of Duty, Halo). It's almost impossible to compete with the quality of games and network services offered by these companies. I suppose I intended my questions to be rhetorical, but I am interested to what degree free software advocates think gaming software is important in the liberation of computer users from tyrannical, over-bearing software. Can there be a viable Steam alternative without corporate financing? Thanks for reading, David fnord <[email protected]>
