opting into alchemist_beta

I just updated the SteamOS FAQ, but this is also worth posting here.



SteamOS currently has two different repositories, "alchemist" and "alchemist_beta". "alchemist_beta" is a testing release where fixes and features will gradually accumulate on a daily or weekly basis. When the beta stabilizes, those fixes will be promoted to the "alchemist" repository. This process is similar to the existing steam/steam_beta process. Important security updates or critical bugfixes may get pushed directly to "alchemist" if needed. We are just starting to evaluate what the best process is and the release cadence might vary in the future.



If you want to opt your machine into alchemist_beta, you can run this command from a terminal session on the desktop: "sudo apt-get install steamos-beta-repo" Now when SteamOS checks for updates, you will get the newer packages from the alchemist_beta repository. WARNING: there is no easy way to opt out of the beta, you will need to either restore your system partition or wait for "alchemist" to catch up to the alchemist_beta!



Some people have noticed that the installed versions of some SteamOS packages are newer than the packages in the alchemist repository. The reason for this is because the installers we shipped last week were built from the "alchemist_beta" repository in order to get everyone the latest fixes. Due to manufacturing times, the 300 Steam Machines were built with an earlier build of SteamOS and the packages on those machines match the ones currently in "alchemist" This should clear up soon when we promote alchemist_beta into alchemist. At that point, all the Steam Machines will have a big update. Right now we are not planning to do this until after the holidays.



Hope this clears things up, please post any questions you have!