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by simias 2790 days ago
People who remember the Microsoft from the 90's and early 00's are justifiably wary of them "embracing" things they like. When we used that word it was generally followed by two others, none of which was "supporting".

And it's not like present day Microsoft is without issues. As a user as far as I'm concerned every new version of Windows is worst that the last for instance. Ads everywhere, dark patterns in the UI etc... There are reasons to be cautious when we see them setting foot in FLOSS world, there's history here and it's not like MS suddenly turned into a non-profit open-source advocacy organization.
2 comments
Nimelrian 2790 days ago
For the people who weren't around back then:

"Embrace, extend, extinguish" was one of Microsoft's key strategies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguis...

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outadoc 2790 days ago
The people who weren't around back then still hear it being shouted every time "Microsoft" and "open" are seen in the same headline, so we know.
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jbigelow76 2790 days ago
Even if Microsoft wished it still had the power to EEE Linux, everybody crying "Embrace, extend, extinguish!!" seem to not realize that the Linux ownership of the data center ship sailed a very long time ago and it's not coming back. Regardless of whether the perception of the Microsoft's current leadership is more forward thinking with a desire to be good corporate citizens, the reality is Microsoft is making these kind of moves towards OSS because it's good business.
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sureaboutthis 2790 days ago
As a note: Microsoft was still under US Federal oversight until 2011 for their past behavior.

Also, Steve Ballmer left Microsoft just four years ago and Bill Gates still works there. No, he did not retire or leave.

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nitramavfank 2790 days ago
> and Bill Gates still works there

That's a good thing, right?

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ConceptJunkie 2790 days ago
That depends. Microsoft was evil under Gates, but they could also be competent. Under Ballmer, they were evil, but more incompetent. Under Nadella, they are less evil, but still incompetent. If Gates could help with the competence, but ease up on the evil, that would be good.
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