[suprgeek]

Everything I hear from friends at MS was positive (atleast until they shuttered the lab in Mountain View). More than anything else the rise in morale among Softies has been almost unbelievable.

Steve Ballmer hurt Microsoft in many insidious ways that may not be visible in the numbers - but hurt Microsoft he did. I once had the opportunity or misfortune to hear him speak about the cloud (~2011) and it was clear to everyone there that he had no-firckin idea what he was mouthing about - it was cringe-worthy. He was the epitome of Hubris & Cluelessness.

Satya seems to be making the right moves embracing open source, making MS office for tablets, Windows 10 for free upgrades, Substantial investments in Azure, A new Device focus - I heard the Microsoft Band team were given a Blank slate and told to go nuts (mostly).

There seem to be a number of other interesting things brewing...

[ekianjo]

> Satya seems to be making the right moves embracing open source

Let's not get carried away. You can't say "Embracing" when only very few of their products or libraries are actually Open. They are still a business massively based on DRMs and Proprietary Software and Technologies.

[capkutay]

I don't know why you're being down-voted. I think all their core consumer and enterprise products are proprietary and expensive. Maybe they contribute to open source as PR or something...but they certainly aren't 'Embracing' with their wallet. Not that it's a bad thing.

[latch]

There's a pretty common pattern where companies push for openness and standards where they lag, while being closed and proprietary where they lead.

[afsina]

You forgot the Android phone manufacturer extortion.

[ekianjo]

Using patents to extort money is hardly what I would describe as "embracing Open Source".

[afsina]

We all know how MS approached those manufacturers. With big gun lawyers and strict NDAs for not disclosing the Patents in question. I believe those patents are BS, no matter if Patent system accepts it. On my eyes it makes MS a terrible company because to me it is stealing money form all users pockets.