[BoredPositron]

They were oss until Microsoft put their german corp headquarter in the state... Bayern usually swings with money that's also why telecom is building their new datacenter there. Subsidize - pay more by switching state systems - get political donations.

[mtmail]

Microsoft's Germany headquarter moved from Unterschleißheim (near Munich, still Landkreis München, opened 1983) to Schwabing (suburb of Munich) last year. Did you mean that moving closer to the city, about 10km, was a reason?

[Grumbledour]

I think they just confused bavria with munich. It was the city who had their own linux distribution (LiMux) and the move of the headquarters where part of microsoft efforts to change that, because it means more tax income for the city (Munich is not part of the disctrict Landkreis München).

[super256]

Microsoft has been strong in Bavaria since Ballmer visited them to sell them Office after his vacation in Switzerland in the 2000s.

[theGeatZhopa]

Bavaria should be called Ballmvaria or Microsovaria.