4 ms·

> Why is there so much hatred and distrust of Microsoft? Because of more than two decades of trampling on open source and competitors. Remember when Microsoft

by dozzie 8y ago

> Why is there so much hatred and distrust of Microsoft? Because of more than two decades of trampling on open source and competitors. Remember when Microsoft called Linux a cancer? No? Then read up on their history.

parvenu74 8y ago
Remember when the person who called Linux a cancer retired and started playing NBA owner? And the new CEO declared Microsoft's love for Linux -- becoming a PLATINUM member of the Linux foundation -- and said he didn't want people using Window because they had to, but because they wanted to? Maybe you should have another look... Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago.
- dozzie 8y ago
  It takes a lot more than just a change of a prominent person to restore trust. And Microsoft forcing spying (so called "telemetry") and unwanted advertisements (e.g. ads in start menu) down the throat of its own customers does not instill the confidence either. Becoming a platinum sponsor or opening source of a few tools is merely throwing money at a problem of public image. It's the easy thing to do if one has the necessary resources. > Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago. It may be not the same company (though I have strong doubts; I think its hands were merely forced, so I don't see it as a genuine change), but it's not clear that it's better than the old one.
- tfehring 8y ago
  So it's fair to say that they're embracing Linux, then? Don't get me wrong, I'll be thrilled if it turns out that their newfound commitment to open source is driven solely by an interest in creating better software. But there are few solid reasons to believe that that's the case: the PR around open source is, well, PR, and Microsoft's anticompetitive practices were around long before Ballmer took over.
  - parvenu74 8y ago
    Over 3/4 of Azure VMs are Linux. You don’t call that an embrace? The ironic truth right now is that Microsoft is a better supporter of Linux than Amazon, Google, or Facebook.
    - dozzie 8y ago
      It's all because Microsoft has to support Linux well on their Azure. There's very few companies writing code facing the internet for Windows, it's all Linux nowadays. Azure would tank immediately if it was Windows-only.
    - tfehring 8y ago
      To clarify, I genuinely believe that Microsoft is embracing Linux. The issue is that, if history is any indication, its next two steps will be "extend" and "extinguish." I'm probably over-extrapolating a bit, but my point is that there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of claims that Microsoft is being altruistic.
- mindcrime 8y ago
  Maybe you should have another look... Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago. Everybody keeps repeating that little mantra " Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago." I would say they should all (re)-read this classic bit of wisdom: One day a frog was sitting happily by the side of the river when a scorpion came along. “Oh Mr. Frog,” said the scorpion, “I need to get to the other side of the river to be with my family. Will you please carry me across?” “But Mr. Scorpion, if I do that, then you will sting me!” replied the frog, somewhat aghast at the request. “No, I won’t,” said the scorpion, " if I were to sting you, surely I would drown as well." Okay,” the frog said reluctantly. “Hop on.” The scorpion climbed on top of the frog’s back and they set off. Halfway across the river, the scorpion stung the frog. In horror, the frog, unable to continue swimming and with both of them about to drown, finally managed to gasp, “Please, Mr. Scorpion, just tell me one thing before we both go under. Just tell me why, when you promised you would not, why oh why did you sting me?” “Because it is my nature,” replied the scorpion.

by dozzie 8y ago

parvenu74 8y ago

Remember when the person who called Linux a cancer retired and started playing NBA owner? And the new CEO declared Microsoft's love for Linux -- becoming a PLATINUM member of the Linux foundation -- and said he didn't want people using Window because they had to, but because they wanted to? Maybe you should have another look... Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago.

dozzie 8y ago
It takes a lot more than just a change of a prominent person to restore trust. And Microsoft forcing spying (so called "telemetry") and unwanted advertisements (e.g. ads in start menu) down the throat of its own customers does not instill the confidence either. Becoming a platinum sponsor or opening source of a few tools is merely throwing money at a problem of public image. It's the easy thing to do if one has the necessary resources. > Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago. It may be not the same company (though I have strong doubts; I think its hands were merely forced, so I don't see it as a genuine change), but it's not clear that it's better than the old one.
tfehring 8y ago
So it's fair to say that they're embracing Linux, then? Don't get me wrong, I'll be thrilled if it turns out that their newfound commitment to open source is driven solely by an interest in creating better software. But there are few solid reasons to believe that that's the case: the PR around open source is, well, PR, and Microsoft's anticompetitive practices were around long before Ballmer took over.
- parvenu74 8y ago
  Over 3/4 of Azure VMs are Linux. You don’t call that an embrace? The ironic truth right now is that Microsoft is a better supporter of Linux than Amazon, Google, or Facebook.
  - dozzie 8y ago
    It's all because Microsoft has to support Linux well on their Azure. There's very few companies writing code facing the internet for Windows, it's all Linux nowadays. Azure would tank immediately if it was Windows-only.
  - tfehring 8y ago
    To clarify, I genuinely believe that Microsoft is embracing Linux. The issue is that, if history is any indication, its next two steps will be "extend" and "extinguish." I'm probably over-extrapolating a bit, but my point is that there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of claims that Microsoft is being altruistic.
mindcrime 8y ago
Maybe you should have another look... Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago. Everybody keeps repeating that little mantra " Microsoft isn't the same company it was 12 years ago." I would say they should all (re)-read this classic bit of wisdom: One day a frog was sitting happily by the side of the river when a scorpion came along. “Oh Mr. Frog,” said the scorpion, “I need to get to the other side of the river to be with my family. Will you please carry me across?” “But Mr. Scorpion, if I do that, then you will sting me!” replied the frog, somewhat aghast at the request. “No, I won’t,” said the scorpion, " if I were to sting you, surely I would drown as well." Okay,” the frog said reluctantly. “Hop on.” The scorpion climbed on top of the frog’s back and they set off. Halfway across the river, the scorpion stung the frog. In horror, the frog, unable to continue swimming and with both of them about to drown, finally managed to gasp, “Please, Mr. Scorpion, just tell me one thing before we both go under. Just tell me why, when you promised you would not, why oh why did you sting me?” “Because it is my nature,” replied the scorpion.