You might have heard of Microsoft's latest plans (source) to keep people on their own store, with a locked down Windows 10 S mode to be available on all versions of Windows. This is easily a first step towards Windows 10 S being the first version of Windows that users see.
Windows 10 S is essentially a version of Windows 10 that's locked into the Windows Store with Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, so you can't really run traditional applications like Steam and so on.
This goes directly back to how Gabe Newell of Valve and plenty of other developers felt about Windows 8. With Newell saying "I think Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space.". There's also Croteam CTO Alen Ladavac who wasn't too pleased with it either, he's now tweeted about this latest issue from Microsoft to say " 'I told you so' doesn't quite cut it. :P". Ladavac also said in a reply "Think about it - if apps need to be adapted for UWP, it might be wiser to just adapt them for OSX/Linux instead.".
It makes sense too, if Microsoft is determined to make Windows more locked-down over time, that's not really good for anyone. Actually investing into Linux gaming, where you have far more control opens you up to many more opportunities.
Apparently, Windows 10 S can be upgraded to a "normal" version of Windows 10 Home for free, but the problem is that Microsoft has said around 60% don't even bother to do the upgrade keeping them locked into the Windows Store.
I hope Valve is keeping an eye on this, and it should certainly make Linux and SteamOS quite attractive again for them. There's good reasons why Valve has kept SteamOS around and plans like this from Microsoft (even if they fall through) will happen again and again. If Microsoft fail, they will wait a while and try it another way.
How long will it be until you have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10 Home, how long before the Home edition doesn't exist? Many questions—questions which should probably alarm people.
Thanks for the tip kellerkindt. Note: Article intro updated after publishing to better reflect my own point.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
qptain Nemo Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris
Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
Quoting: qptain NemoDon't worry. This is just marketing. The actual implementation will have the worst Windows "features" broken into nifty little modules. Still a steaming pile of crap, but you get to pick and choose the nuggets.Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris
Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
Quoting: tuubiQuoting: qptain NemoDon't worry. This is just marketing. The actual implementation will have the worst Windows "features" broken into nifty little modules. Still a steaming pile of crap, but you get to pick and choose the nuggets.Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris
Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
They can't design the worst part out: Microsoft company politics. It's woven into everything they do.
Mohandevir Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: tuubiQuoting: qptain NemoDon't worry. This is just marketing. The actual implementation will have the worst Windows "features" broken into nifty little modules. Still a steaming pile of crap, but you get to pick and choose the nuggets.Quoting: GrazenHere is a link discussing WCOS:That is hilarious. They're literally selling... Linux. The Linux paradigm. All the best Linux features. (Closed platform bits aside) Brilliant.
https://www.windowscentral.com/understanding-windows-core-os-and-polaris
Note that WCOS is not Windows S.
Will we discover that it is based on Microsoft's custom Linux distribution and that Miux really exists? Lol!
Last edited by Mohandevir on 6 February 2018 at 4:17 pm UTC
wvstolzing Feb 6, 2018
Quoting: MohandevirWill we discover that it is based on Microsoft's custom Linux distribution and that Miux really exists? Lol!
They were a Unix vendor in the early '80s. Maybe they've kept a clandestine Xenix division all along -- only now, they're emerging from the shadows.
EDIT -- Seriously, though, although the GPL (not just v3 but v2 also) wouldn't allow anyone to 'secretly' release a Linux-based OS, I suppose they can build everything on top of BSD, *keep it a secret*, and get away with it, right? I mean, the licensing would permit that.
Last edited by wvstolzing on 6 February 2018 at 5:09 pm UTC
I really don't give a **** what Microsoft do tbh. Unfortunately the vast majority of the user base will allow them to do as they please like normal. Yes a few will scream but ultimately will cede to MS will
The small number of us that are aware of what they are doing will make no difference in the end.
And before every jumps on me and says "but you should care..blah, blah"
I DON'T CARE BECAUSE IT WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately!
Quoting: liamdaweDid you read the source? It previously was a separate SKU, now it's going to be included with all versions of Windows.
That doesn't change my opinion about it. That's a change of distribution method.
Quoting: liamdaweI literally have no idea what "slash-dot-ie" is even supposed to mean.I was referring to the https://slashdot.org/ website, where the quality of news posts greatly varies since it's open to all to post.
Quoting: liamdaweEditorials are opinion pieces, it's from my personal perspective and meant as a talking point, do keep that in mind folks. If you don't agree, that's fine :)
Sure, and that's what I was doing -- talking about the point.
burningserenity Feb 7, 2018
With Electron being pushed so much, won't it just be easier to make everything cross platform?
With game streaming services, will any gamer's chosen OS matter anymore?
Finally, what about the Windows Linux subsystem? Can I pay $150 or whatever to have Windows stripped down to just the terminal running OpenSUSE or Ubuntu?
I honestly never can tell with those Microsoft folks.
qptain Nemo Feb 7, 2018
Quoting: burningserenitySo with Win32 eventually phased out, will WINE be the easiest way to run legacy Windows programs?It's already becoming that. I keep hearing reports of games not running well on latest versions of Windows which I have no trouble running in Wine at all.
If Microsoft wants you to use something they will force you to use it one way or the other.
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