I think I'm going to need more coffee to process this. Did I wake up in opposite land? Microsoft actually genuinely have a tutorial up on how to install Linux.
This isn't actually all that odd, considering Microsoft have the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) but the actual tutorial isn't just about that although it does come first in their list (because of course it does). However, it also has instructions on using it inside a traditional Virtual Machine and how to install it bare metal on a machine directly and even talks about dual boots. The tutorial isn't even half-bad, pretty reasonable actually.
Really the Microsoft of today is in many ways nothing like the Microsoft of old, although they do still do many questionable things getting into a list of that is not the point of this article.
Just kind of amazing to see how much of a turn-around Microsoft has had overall. There's the famous line from previous CEO Steve Ballmer saying that "Linux is a cancer that attaches itself in an intellectual property sense to everything it touches" back in 2001 to the "Microsoft Loves Linux" developer post in 2015. We've seen Microsoft call out upgrades to their Xbox Cloud Gaming for Linux and macOS, they regularly give out money to FOSS projects like GNOME, supporting their Edge browser directly on Linux, Microsoft also joined the Open Invention Network and lots more making Microsoft seem a lot more open.
With Windows 10 coming to end of support in October 14, 2025 and the free upgrade path from older Windows is now actually finally closed too maybe more people might actually need a free operating system.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Microsoft is not making most of their money with Windows anymore.
It is making most of their money with their cloud services, which are mostly Linux-based.
Still good to see, of course.
But this is not about openness or anything, it's just about investing into what is good for you (in the business sense).
ardje, [12 Oct 2023 11:43:56]
I was in tears when I read last week, that in order to test azure-sql-edge on windows you first have to install wsl2 with an ubuntu distribution and within that you can install azure-sql-edge...
Azure-sql-edge is apparently a linux only docker solution.
It feels like yesterday when they were throwing shit and dirt at anything linux because they had the budget to do that, and we as a department had to time after time explain and proof that Linux was the only way things would work correctly.
ardje, [12 Oct 2023 11:46:31]
I remember a tour at dell where the tour operator was laughing at us and saying that linux is going to die and nobody uses serial consoles anymore, everything is USB (explains that he has a lack of knowledge). We set that guy straight with an e-mail to the main dell office where the Linux Poweredge department resided.
Not telegram:
It still feels unreal. The war on linux was extreme, the setback on the computing industry as a whole was extreme (something windows users will never understand). The indoctrination of students at schools by "sponsorship" from microsoft if you go microsoft only. (Apple still does that).
It still is a company that wants to get as much of money as possible from their "victims" I guess.
But since Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer left the stage (I mean: Bill Gates is now trying to take over the WHO), it seems a breath of fresh air came in. And co-operation was suddenly possible.
Arehandoro Oct 12, 2023
Linux_Rocks Oct 12, 2023
Quoting: ArdjeThe indoctrination of students at schools by "sponsorship" from microsoft if you go microsoft only. (Apple still does that).Microsoft still does it, too (linked article is a few years old, but unfortunately still relevant).
- Pushing unwanted adverts into customers' faces.
- Collecting as much data as they can on their customers, i.e. a massive invasion of privacy.
- Taking away control from end-users, by making it more difficult to run Windows the way end-users would like.
- Pushing customers towards subscription software agreements, rather than permanent licences.
- Making EULAs that are detrimental to customers' rights.
- Buying up multiple games companies to take away platform choice (eventually).
Last edited by g000h on 13 October 2023 at 3:20 am UTC
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