Steam is a Linux OS Key Player - Essay Example

Executive Summary: Steam is a Linux OS Key Player Recently people have started to realize that Linux OS provides convenience services to the who uses their products especially their laptops, or computers. They have several unique programs that make them stand out, and look different from Windows, such as Steam. This program has a lot of impact in the computer industry because it attracts many people to switch their laptop brand from Windows to Apple. This is because of individual needs to play a game in their hectic daily life, or some of them are gamers’ maniac. Therefore, this fact gives a positive impact to the Steam and Linux OS industry that attract the gamers because it provides a practical service for the gamers and people in the world. Valve as one of the biggest firm in computer gaming industry started to urge people to use Linux OS because of the steam software. Valve realized that people love to be always practical these days, and that Steam provides it all by having many game tools in their system. People can buy million types of games, and upgrade their patches by only having a simple account and a Steam program. Therefore, it makes gamers and people’s life easier because they do not have to surf the website to find the game they need, and sometime the random website can get the computers infected by some spywares, and other viruses. Furthermore, they just can purchase it through this system online without going out to the stores to buy computer CD and install it. However, Valve has to make sure that Linux OS will keep up the quality of the Steam; otherwise, people may run back to Windows if there are no improvements from the recent system. Analysis and Critique: A Golden Chance for Linux OS Every individual need entertainment in their life, and I believe that every single person has ever played games in their life. This is because humans love games; in addition, people are having a strong bond to the world of information technology nowadays. Technology and especially computer or laptop supports the largest part of their life now, which plays a crucial role in people’s life. Individuals prefer to seek the most effective way or practical way for their life nowadays; in addition, they tend to spend more money, and do less effort for a service (Stahie, 2013). Most of the people in the current generation are fond of staying in their houses and use their credit card to purchase what they want from their own computers. Hence, they can have that service from Steam that provides a practical way to purchase and downloading games. This Steam system services gives the positive impact to Linux OS because people start switching from windows to Linux OS; on the other hand, it inversely affects the other company firm such as windows. On the positive side, if they can improve the performance of Steam system it could be another invention to make the gamers life more practical. However, if we look on the negative side of this invention, sometimes it is dangerous if people cannot control themselves to spend an equal time in playing games and in their real life activities (Stahie, 2013). There are two big firms today in the computer business enjoying a great popularity in the society, as they provide great services in the technology industry. One of the largest businesses that they have is in gaming entertainment, as over a million people are addicted to computer online gaming today. Computer firms use this fact to generate profit for them. A decade ago, Windows led the computer gaming industry, back then people could install a CD that had 4-5 games of Valve, Half Life, and they could connect to the Internet and play online with other gamers. Thus, though founded 16 years ago by a couple of refugees from Microsoft, Valve make games that wild-eyed fans play until their thumbs hurt and dawn jabs through the curtains”(Wingfield, 2012). Sixteen Years ago Valve and Half Life worked together with Windows to create a game system that could entertain computer gamers effectively. In addition, there was limited resource of CD format that could match to the Linux OS at that time; thus, mass of people choose to use Windows to play computer games. On contrast, after 16 years from 1997, Linux OS has grown fast and they now compete with windows; moreover, the invention of Steam at their system haunts the stability of the Windows Corporation. Ironically, Valve and Half life expanded their business together with Windows 16 years ago, but they currently urge people to use Linux OS because it is more practical for people. This explains why Steam is now being used by thousands of gamers running a Linux OS, and Valve has got to the point where they are happy urging Windows users to make the switch” (Humphries, 2013). In addition, thousands of gamers give stellar positive review for this program because it is practical for them to pile up the game files, patches, and download games. This condition benefits the Linux OS because they have support from a big gaming industry such as valve. Besides, the profit that Linux OS will gain in future because of the Steam also gives a positive impact to all gamers, as I flash back 15 years ago when I still pursued my primary school education. I can remember going to the computer stores to buy the computer cd games and installing it in my computer. Sometime it did not work; therefore, I needed to go back and forth to the store and it really took time to install a game in my computer; however, everything seems simpler for me with Steam. The system of the game is in shape to the computer, as it minimizes the issue of not getting a problem with the game. Furthermore, I do not need to go to the store anymore since I just have to sit on my desk, purchase and download the game. On the other hand, on negative side, I think that the transition from “the real human’s life” to technology seems limited to the human’s activity on the real world. Steam has a negative effect on making the human life with their computer all day. This has been a growing issue in the society, and people have started being aware about this; just imagine in 100 years from now if the portion of technology is far greater than a real human’s life, I believe there will be least likely people walking on the street. This has been a great chance for Linux OS to take over the Windows supremacy for 16 years. With Steam, they attracted the Valve gaming industry to support their back for the future gaming industry, and their Steam’s invention create a more practical living situation for gamers. In addition, they do not have to go out to the computer stores and purchase the games, however in my perspective behind this great invention they have to consider about the “real human’s life”. I think it is one of their jobs to balance the IT world with the real humans life References Stahie, S. (2013) Steam for Linux Can Now Be Legally Packaged in Other Distros. Softpedia. Retrieved on Feb 13, 2013 from http://news.softpedia.com/news/Steam-for-Linux-Can-Now-Be-Legally-Packaged-in-Other-Distros-328074.shtml Humphries, M. (2013).Valve starts promoting Steam for Linux to Windows users. Geek. Retrieved on Feb 13, 2013 from http://www.geek.com/articles/games/valve-starts-promoting-steam-for-linux-to-windows-users-20130121/ Wingfield, N. (2012). Game Maker Without a Rule Book. The New York Times. Retrieved on Feb. 13, 2013 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/technology/valve-a-video-game-maker-with-few-rules.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Read More