Angry wrote on Sep 16, 2010, 15:07:
http://www.bluesnews.com/s/114205/amd-ati-catalyst-hotfix

I rest my case. They cant even patch a patch.

nin wrote on Sep 16, 2010, 10:25:
Nice troll there...

Creston wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 22:20:
But the people who don't know how to upgrade their drivers are likely not on Steam, and are sure as hell not informed enough to opt-in to an automatic driver update system.

So I'm not sure who they're trying to reach here. Probably just a thing of convenience, or another "Feature!" for marketing to check off on the box.

Creston

elefunk wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 20:28:

Dev wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 19:02:
Yeah, they actually FORBID other distribution of their patches, its only allowed to get them from the official MS site. However, steam could check to see if windows auto update is off, and if so offer to turn it on for someone. If they did anything like that it should only ask once per system its installed on so as to not be annoying. But yeah, they need to get nvidia going too. This is a great idea of steam's, especially since its opt IN and default is not to update. I'll do manual control of mine but its going to help a ton of people.

What are you guys going on about? What an annoying, uninformed bunch of nonsense.

1) Microsoft is *BY LAW* unable to take "total control" of anything in Windows. Where were you a decade ago for all those anti-trust lawsuits? Everything about Windows updating is totally open. You guys have absolutely 0 experience with corporate patching and other such scenarios, since Microsoft's own (free) WSUS product directly competes with plenty of other solutions explicitly for the purpose of patching machines and installing updates - both from Microsoft themselves and third-party.

2) Windows Update already has APIs to enable auto-updating. If Steam wanted to use those APIs, they're 100% free to do so

3) Distribution of such patches, drivers, etc. is not an easy feat. Adding such capabilities to steam would be multiple orders of magnitude more complicated than what Steam does now. Steam has absolutely 0 technology to thoroughly scan systems and detect missing security updates, not to mention the fact that...well....Windows Update already does a fine job of this, what benefit would Valve get from adding it to Steam?

elefunk wrote on Sep 16, 2010, 01:08:
Graphics drivers are already automatically updated if you use Windows Update, I think that Windows Update drivers are just a month behind or so, to avoid issues like that which the hotfix patched today.

J wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 18:55:

kxmode wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 17:42:

J wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 16:29:
I hope it's optional. That may irk me if it's compulsory and a bad driver gets released

Breathing is compulsory but I think you're the type of person who gets irks by the fact that you have to do it in order to live...

If you had a clue you'd be dangerous.

Verno wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 16:55:
Testing it out right now with the 10.9's.

Edit: works as advertised, just installs the driver and CCC. I wish the whole thing was totally in the background though, it popped up on screen and stole focus. You can see the whole regular driver setup running but you can't change any of the options at that point so it seems pointless to even have it on screen.

Not sure if it's a good idea on the whole video update thing. Lots of issues with bleeding edge drivers in games sometimes, I can just imagine the 'why is my game blackscreening when it worked yesterday' posts.

Those issues are far outweighed by the sheer amount of people who have no clue how to do simple things like update their drivers. The sorts of compatibility issues you end up with there are far more problematic and lead to all sorts of "wtf new game I bought wont run! omggg company sux" frustrated consumerisms. Having videocard drivers auto-updated is a great idea but unfortunately can lead to things like the Nvidia fan profile debacle becoming even more serious. Plus the uninformed consumers have to opt-in otherwise the whole thing doesn't work. So it's a good idea but will remain a niche enthusiast thing unfortunately.

Dev wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 19:02:

Flatline wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 18:29:
I doubt Microsoft will ever let go of anything short of total control of the patching process.

Yeah, they actually FORBID other distribution of their patches, its only allowed to get them from the official MS site. However, steam could check to see if windows auto update is off, and if so offer to turn it on for someone. If they did anything like that it should only ask once per system its installed on so as to not be annoying. But yeah, they need to get nvidia going too. This is a great idea of steam's, especially since its opt IN and default is not to update. I'll do manual control of mine but its going to help a ton of people.

Verno wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 16:55:
Testing it out right now with the 10.9's.

Edit: works as advertised, just installs the driver and CCC. I wish the whole thing was totally in the background though, it popped up on screen and stole focus. You can see the whole regular driver setup running but you can't change any of the options at that point so it seems pointless to even have it on screen.

Not sure if it's a good idea on the whole video update thing. Lots of issues with bleeding edge drivers in games sometimes, I can just imagine the 'why is my game blackscreening when it worked yesterday' posts.

Those issues are far outweighed by the sheer amount of people who have no clue how to do simple things like update their drivers. The sorts of compatibility issues you end up with there are far more problematic and lead to all sorts of "wtf new game I bought wont run! omggg company sux" frustrated consumerisms. Having videocard drivers auto-updated is a great idea but unfortunately can lead to things like the Nvidia fan profile debacle becoming even more serious. Plus the uninformed consumers have to opt-in otherwise the whole thing doesn't work. So it's a good idea but will remain a niche enthusiast thing unfortunately.

Flatline wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 18:29:
I doubt Microsoft will ever let go of anything short of total control of the patching process.

kxmode wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 17:42:

J wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 16:29:
I hope it's optional. That may irk me if it's compulsory and a bad driver gets released

Breathing is compulsory but I think you're the type of person who gets irks by the fact that you have to do it in order to live...

Dunkirk wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 17:45:
Well, so much for another of my business ideas. I thoroughly welcome the move.

I've long wondered why Steam doesn't get into this area. Updating video, audio, keyboard, mouse, and joystick drivers -- along with all the Microsoft patches, and anti-virus updates, and on and on and on -- is the Achilles heel of the PC platform, compared to consoles. This whole realm ought to be a no-brainer for Steam. If they continue along this vein, they'll be the undisputed champion of the online game providers.

Yeah, yeah, they might screw up a patch. Spare me. Then they will just join the club along with all the rest. That hasn't stopped them either. As long as they keep it optional, I don't see how this could be a problem. Everything they've done so far has convinced me that they'll get this right, even if it takes a couple tries.

Mark wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 17:14:
Do you not have to reset after a new driver install, though?

J wrote on Sep 15, 2010, 16:29:
I hope it's optional. That may irk me if it's compulsory and a bad driver gets released