Linux is a small, efficient hobby operating system descended from Unix, the system that runs much of the heavy iron servers that bring the internet to you. Linux is popular in hardcore computer geek circles, but doesn’t have a significant market share for desktops. Which is why Valve’s efforts to recruit Linux gurus is so interesting. The maker of the Half-Life and Portal could be looking to port its games over to Linux, but that seems a little small for the team they’re assembling. Is Valve planning a larger project that could benefit from a unique server environment behind it? Phoronix has the story.
Rumor has it that the Almighty Gabe has moved his desk over to be near the Linux people, which leads credence to the idea he’s planning something for the new team members. Linux is good for three things, efficiency, server software, and device software. Steam already has a huge server infrastructure behind it, so that’s probably not what Valve is looking toward. So that leaves device software. Is Valve planning to create some kind of device?