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Stop Quoting Steve Ballmer
24 days ago
- Steve Ballmer's 2001 quote calling Linux 'a cancer' is often used out of context and stripped of his initial praise for Linux as 'good competition.'
- The quote was aimed at the GPL's copyleft clause, not the Linux kernel itself, expressing concerns about intellectual property and the license's potential viral spread in commercial software.
- In 2001, legal questions about the GPL's enforceability were unresolved, and high-stakes litigation like SCO v. IBM brought these issues to the forefront, though the GPL later survived court challenges.
- Over time, legal precedent clarified that the GPL is enforceable, and Microsoft evolved to embrace Linux, joining initiatives like the Linux Foundation and pledging patents to protect open source.
- Using the 25-year-old quote in modern tech stories is outdated, as Microsoft now ships GPL Linux kernels and actively supports open source, making the reference misleading and irrelevant.
Microsoft's unreleased lightweight Edge-based Windows 11 AI OS leaks
23 days ago
- In 2022, a hoax called 'EdgeOS' emerged, a web-powered OS built on Edge, which Microsoft might have considered due to browser bloat.
- In 2024, Microsoft reportedly worked on 'Project Aion', a lightweight Windows OS based on Edge and AI agents, with Copilot integrated into the shell and the Start button replaced by a Copilot key.
- The leaked video shows Aion running on Win3, a minimalist Windows codebase without Win32 legacy app support, possibly compatible with AOSP and Windows, similar to Project Solara.
- This aligns with Microsoft's 2023 push for AI and Copilot, with CEO Satya Nadella comparing the Copilot key to the revolutionary Start button.
- However, it remains unconfirmed whether Aion was real or another hoax, akin to EdgeOS, though speculation suggests it may have evolved into Project Solara.
- The leaked content has fueled buzz about an AI-powered, cloud-based Windows 12, partly driven by Microsoft executives like Panos Panay.
Microsoft GDID telemetry includes full browsing and gaming history
21 days ago
- Microsoft GDID tracks all Windows installations.
- Telemetry includes full browsing and gaming history.
- This post is from a sysadmin community discussing privacy concerns.
WSL Keeps Getting Better
20 days ago
- Microsoft traditionally avoids yielding to competitors, but makes an exception with Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to accommodate developers.
- Coreutils for Windows integrates Linux commands into Windows, eliminating the need to switch syntax or use WSL exclusively.
- WSL containers enable running Linux apps in containers without third-party tools like Docker, simplifying development workflows.
- Microsoft's efforts with WSL aim to prevent developers from leaving Windows for Linux, maintaining its user base and profitability.
- WSL acts as a necessary solution to keep developers within the Windows ecosystem by providing essential Linux tools and features.
Microsoft latest report shows 25% emissions raised due to AI data centers
15 days ago
- Microsoft's carbon emissions increased by 25% year-over-year, driven by AI datacenter expansion and ceasing purchases of unbundled renewable energy certificates (RECs).
- The reported emissions for the last year are 20 million metric tons, not the 34 million mistakenly circulated; the company uses a chart showing actual vs. estimated emissions to highlight reduction efforts.
- Microsoft stopped buying unbundled RECs, which it implies are less effective for long-term environmental impact, and is refocusing funds on higher-impact investments to become carbon negative by 2030.
- The sustainability report also details Microsoft's water usage, noting it replenished more water than it withdrew, and emphasizes the complexity of its environmental progress and challenges.
Microsoft Promises to Fix Search with Major Windows 11 Overhau
12 days ago
- Major Windows 11 search overhaul prioritizes clearer, local results and removes ads.
- Improvements include better handling of typos, simplified home screen, and no MSN/Bing content.
- Users gain control over web and Store suggestions via privacy settings.
- Enhanced reliability and ranking for apps, settings, and files, with local matches prioritized.
- Updates rolling out to Windows Insiders first, with general release expected later this year.

Hasty Briefsbeta

microsoft

Stop Quoting Steve Ballmer

Microsoft's unreleased lightweight Edge-based Windows 11 AI OS leaks

Microsoft GDID telemetry includes full browsing and gaming history

WSL Keeps Getting Better

Microsoft latest report shows 25% emissions raised due to AI data centers

Microsoft Promises to Fix Search with Major Windows 11 Overhau