[Ipg-smz] Microsoft (was: On Stallman)

[Stephen Satchell]

On 9/18/19 8:23 AM, Tom Henderson via Ipg-smz wrote:
> Many of them had a gripe with the sheer mendacity of Microsoft and its
> minions. SJV-N believes Microsoft has changed. I'm not sure if I share
> that believe, but as an researcher, I continue to observe.

Long ago, I worked on a project for Motorola that invoice the Windows
Logo program.  I can say that the company culture was not as vicious in
the technical circles.  Confirmation came when I had to work with a
Microsoftee in a Standards committee, and we went horn-to-horn on a
technical matter -- and said MS person could be swayed by reason.

The kill-Linux culture stemmed from Steve
"developers-developer-developers" Ballmer.  Linux was a direct threat to
Windows as it was being sold two decades ago.  Ballmer wanted everyone
using Microsoft products to pay for it, bar none.

The pay-for-what-you-use mentality is still there, but Linux is not a
threat.  Indeed, Linux is now enabling Azure, so it's to Microsoft's
benefit.

Building 26 has been toying with Linux for a long time.  It wouldn't
surprise me if the propeller-heads didn't come up with a bridge from
Windows-as-a-desktop on top of a Linux kernel a long time ago.  At the
time, though, there was no revenue potential.

Now there could be.  By concentrating on Windows 10 as a service,
Microsoft could provide a product at reduced cost that would work for
air-gapped computers, such as those that run software that have to obey
the HIPPA rules.  Or computers used in government classified areas.

Like you, I'm from Missouri in my opinions of Microsoft.  I don't think
that the current management at MS wants to shoot themselves in the foot.