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An Open Letter on Linux Compatibility (and Why Flatpak Isn't the Fix) (www.reddit.com)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by to c/linux@lemmy.world
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Relevant to SteamOS and open-platform gaming, it proposes a different paradigm for Linux-based distributions and operating systems, one that could address compatibility issues on alternative platforms that Windows users often take for granted.

EDIT: added a QnA section that tries to answer some of the questions posed here.

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[–] 11 points 1 month ago (9 children)

As a lot of you already know, backward compatibility has never really been the strong suit of Linux or the BSDs.

From the first sentence I have the strong impression the author is deeply confused and mistaken.

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  • [–] 1 point 1 month ago

    They aren't entirely wrong - to give an example:

    Stepmania 3.9 win32 still works fine on Windows 11, you run it, it works. It's not statically compiled either. It works on wine just as good.

    Stepmania 3.9 for Linux i386 though - now you've got to comb through old libraries to get old, incompatible versions of libpng, libmad, sdl1.x, etc, you've got to set up multiarch, fumble around with sound too since it's expecting OSS or ALSA directly.

    The windows version still 'justwerx' even on Linux under wine. The linux native version also works after a lot of faffing about.

    They are wrong that an extra layer of abstraction would make this better. Just use .appimage with the libraries included. (though that wouldn't fix the sound issue)

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  • [–] [S] -3 points 1 month ago (7 children)

    I am not talking about the kernel. and the userspace of either platform is nowhere near as strong as it is on Windows.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 month ago (6 children)

    Since it has what you want, why don't you use Windows in that case?

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  • [–] [S] -1 points 1 month ago (5 children)

    This isn’t a forum for throwing quick witted gotchas. I’m trying to have a constructive discussion. at any case, it's because I’m working to build an open platform with proper backward compatibility, so please engage seriously rather than trolling.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 month ago* (3 children)

    I’m working to build an open platform...

    My bad, why didn't you link your repo from the start? Then we could have a productive discussion about your design docs and the initial code for your new OS.

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  • [–] [S] 0 points 1 month ago* (2 children)

    I'm clearly advocating for an open platform with compatibility in the article.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 month ago (1 child)

    I read every word of your screed. You are advocating for an Easy Button. You don't have any details how it will work or why, you just want everyone else to change how they do things to your vague and unspecified plan for an Easy Button.

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  • [–] [S] -4 points 1 month ago

    The purpose of the article was never to explain the exact operation in detail. It isn’t a blueprint; it’s an advocacy paper. Please don’t read more into my words than I intended. I’m not asking anyone to change anything. I’m inviting people to contribute ideas and help build this project voluntarily, according to their own interests and preferences. Clearly, this isn’t for you.

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