One issue I have is saving space. I already have a huge steam library; If I want to be able to use my games under both Windows and Linux I need to have separate library folders for both, doubling the amount of space required. I do have a steam cache, which means I don't have to redownload redundant data, but anyone who does not will have to use up double the bandwidth to retrieve the games.

I'd really like to see some way to use the same SteamLibrary folder under both operating systems, and have it be able to adjust the library depending on which OS is accessing it. The library would most likely need to be in a NTFS partition, unless Windows is more flexible than I'd thought. There are various stsrategies you could use to accomplish this...

I think, if I were going to try and impoement this, I would first off put a flag in the root SteamLibrary folder stating which OS the library was being used with. If the Steam client opens the SteamLibrary folder and detects a different OS from what is currently running, the following would happen:

(1) All game folders would be tagged with the other OS, and folders for both the original and current OSes would be added to each game folder.

(2) All games installed would be tagged for automatic update.

On update or before play for the games, if the folder is tagged for another OS:

(1) All files and configs specific to the game for that particular OS would be moved to the folder for that OS.

(2) Any fils and configs present in the folder for the current OS would be moved to the game folder.

(3) The game folder would be retagged with the current OS.

(4) Replacement files would be downloaded and new configs generated as necessary.

Additional flags and configurations would likely be needed for if game studios wish to handle dual configurations like this some other way, such as combining game configurations.