TF2 hosting: why you want Linux
There are many reasons you want to be on Linux for hosting any Valve game, though many of them are hinged on my experiences.
Subjective
- Hosts who can roll out a Linux install, tend to have a better idea of what’s happening;
- Hosts who roll out Linux tend to have neat control panels (rolling their own more often than using TCAdmin), which they build, not buy (cheaper!).
Objective:
- OpenSource servers lower the cost of the server (as opposed to paying for huge licences);
- Extensions are easier to build for Linux, due to opensource toolchains, and easier to read (or at least less obfuscated) code (symbols, woo!).
Now, while some of these may change (free control panel xplatform?; valve stripping symbols from Linux bins), the cost difference should remain.
In my experience, the only host that continues to use Linux in Australia is GameServers.com, who also offer free basic webhosting (like Hypernia and many others), and discounts on voice servers (for who who need them).
The other options out there like Hypernia, which are Windows hosts and give you free voice hosting and webhosting (should you take them up on it).
The real point to be made is that Linux hosts like GameServers come out slightly cheaper (even with a similar vioce server included), and allow modders a greater speed in development, with direct access to all of the toys.
If you want to get serious about tweaking your game, maybe it’s time you switched to a better platform.
( Worried about not being able to test locally? Worry not! You VirtualBox to test locally with a Debian or Ubuntu install, following the simple instructions on srcds.com. )
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swixel posted this
