Linux/Windows versions differences?

[M4ck]

Hi guys. I have two questions about what's in the topic title.

First of all, if I have KSP on Steam for Windows, will I be able to install it on some Linux distro, or would I have to buy it again for Linux?

And the second one, are there any significant differences between these versions other than the memory cap? I remember reading something about custom input devices, is that all?

I'm not really concerned about things like high quality graphics or a slight difference in FPS (I'm used to playing on absolute minimum detail on my ancient laptop, but will be getting a desktop soon, so it will be much better than now anyways), but I like using as many mods at once as possible like Kopernicus, KW, LLL etc, which are pretty RAM heavy... And Windows right now just won't do Should I wait for that awesome Soon Unity update, or just go to Linux right now if I'm willing to tackle it?

Anyone here tried switching back and forth between versions, or at least have some theoretical knowledge about this, and willing to share?

[kreutzkevic]

First: Once bought, you can download it on any supported OS through your Steam-account as many times as you please. This goes for any game you bought through Steam.

Second: Linux is the only OS that currently supports a higher memory cap, ie. has a working x64 version of KSP. I'm using the unofficial x64 KSP community workaround on Windows, though I have toyed with the same idea. I'm a Linux n00b, however, so I didn't go through.

You can find more info on the Linux 'how-to' here: (thank you, sal_vager and skeevy!)

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/92231-The-Linux-Thread%21

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/98386-The-Other-Linux-Thread?p=1506880#post1506880

Hope this helps.

Edited November 5, 2015 by kreutzkevic

[stibbons]

The linux build moves the modifier key from alt up to right shift. So, for eg, using the debug menu stops being alt-F12 and starts being shift-F12.

The linux build has a bug where keys typed in to text fields in menus are (sometimes? not sure) also passed through to the window behind. That means that, say, typing numbers in to the RemoteTech flight computer will also toggle the corresponding action group. This is annoying enough that the Control Lock mod was created to specifically address it. I'm not sure how bad this bug is in recent versions of KSP because I'm only just coming back to playing in Linux after quite some time away. But still.

The Linux Thread is your friend. The first few posts cover all sorts of things that it's not worth me repeating.

I remember reading something about custom input devices, is that all?

If you're referring to KSPSerialIO, then you're right, it does rely on Windows-only APIs and event callbacks that don't seem to function properly in Linux. Workarounds for that exist, though, but are still pretty hit and miss.

[jarmund]

The linux build has a bug where keys typed in to text fields in menus are (sometimes? not sure) also passed through to the window behind.

I'm pretty sure I had either that or something similar in windows too. There's a mod/bugfix for it, so a workaround isn't much of an issue.

I migrated to linux last year after getting fed up with win7, and I happened to have a KSP save in progress. My KSP install was via steam, and before migrating I just copied out the save folder, and reinserted it after reinstalling via steam once my linux mint installation was up and running. It worked fine out of the box. Come to think of it, I also copied the settings/config files, as I use Dvorak keymapping, which I didn't want to redo from scratch. That too worked out of the box.

The main differences I've noticed:

- No longer confined to just 32 bits of memory addressing space

- Modifier key is now right shift instead of left alt

- There's this odd (but insignificant bug) where the rotate-gizmo in VAB and SPH gets a pink color in the middle

- Throttling all the way down throws the "Timewarp x1" message, but this could be my dvorak keymapping.

[klgraham1013]

Some flight sticks won't work out of the box.

[InterCity]

Hello,

There's not much difference between Windows KSP and Linux (Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr in my case), the only exception being the x64 linux build, which is awesome. As for day-to-day usage of the operating system, Linux has gone a long way since the days it was just a console-base OS (That is unless you're using Arch Linux) I think that Ubuntu and Linux Mint might even be more user-friendly than Windows itself, with much better organized desktops and zippier performance on the same hardware.

If you want to run some windows-exclusive apps and games, you have wine. It takes some time to get used to, and so far there has been no windows game I couldn't run. Mind you, they tend to be slightly more glitchy than if being ran native.

Some flight stick won't work out of the box

In my experience most of the USB Hardware works out of the box with Ubuntu. Even got a Razer Naga to program its keys (Took a bit of alchemy, though).

With the advent of Windows 8/Windows 10, I'd recommend making the switch. You don't have to be Linus Torvalds to understand linux. I know what I'm talking about, I am just a doctor with some experience doing PHP codes. And there is the awesome community...

[Barefoot Friar]

Some people find Linux Mint to be easier than Ubuntu. They're closely related, and KSP will run fine on Mint. I personally run Ubuntu 14.04 and it works extremely well. I've not had a computer with Windows on it since 2009.

[radonek]

Should I wait for that awesome Soon Unity update, or just go to Linux right now if I'm willing to tackle it?

I'm not looking forward to Unity upgrade as far as linux version is concerned. Its a big change and big changes carry big chances of regressions. Even windows KSP is bound to ship some never-seen-before bugs, and linux port of unity kinda lags behind. So there is real chance we will have to live with some silly error like before. (older versions of unity had, at times, trouble with localization, mouse input and GL shaders, to name just ones I've seen with my very eyes). This is not to say I don't want new Unity - I merely don't expect much of first iteration.

As for other linux gaming quirks – steer clear of AMD cards, their linux drivers sucks. As for special controllers and such - YMMW. Depends whether particular piece of hardware is supported by linux kernel (= works good), vendor driver (= trouble) or not at all. Do not believe vendors about linux support - their view of support is frequently limited to distributing crapware. If you want to give it a try, find a linux distribution to your liking and google THAT for support.

Disclaimer: I have both windows and linux ksp. However, I have not played windows version since mouse issues in Unity were resolved.

[klgraham1013]

(Took a bit of alchemy, though).

In my experience, this is a common theme with Linux. I'm not going fanboy one way or another, but it's something that needs to be stated when trying Linux for the first time.

[InterCity]

In my experience, this is a common theme with Linux. I'm not going fanboy one way or another, but it's something that needs to be stated when trying Linux for the first time.

Indeed. Linux is awesome, but it has its quirks here and there. Might take some time to get used to. Once you get there, you'll wonder how you could do without it for all these years