Hey y'all, today I experienced another push for Linux from our friend Microsoft.
5 minutes ago, I wanted to use the timer app on Windows, so I could manage my work/break schedule, and this fucker showed up.
Yes, that's a prompt to sign in with a Microsoft account to use the clock. If you close it, it pops up 30s later. Clicking “Don't sign in” or closing the process responsible for displaying it is useless, and guess what… IT PAUSES THE TIMER WHEN IT SHOWS UP.
I guess this is another thing added to the super long list of things which will eventually make me switch my main workstation to Linux once win10 is discontinued.
/endrant
Hope y'all are having a great day :3
Microsoft had made a product that has for decades been used to run other people's software. They've unintentionally made windows a "monopoly" in the sense that no other os can run windows only software perfectly. Most consumers will probably think Linux " is just a terminal and too advanced", and the others who can install a distro might still be locked into using windows because not all software can run under wine.
So to you they might seem overconfident in that you can switch, but for some they're shit out of luck in the department of alternatives. Microsoft knows they can exploit their users, and they will do it
What? Becoming a monopoly is the most intentional thing they’ve ever done, and the only thing they’ve ever done well.
Not the OP but he may mean that application authors have unintentionally made Windows a monopoly.
Either way, I am not sure I agree about the intentionality. App devs didn’t slip and support only Windows by accident. They may not have explicitly intended all the consequences of Windows monopoly but one dominant platform is an advantage for the app vendors too. Too many targets to support is part of what keeps commercial software off Linux.
The only ones hurt by a Windows monopoly are the consumers. Well, and commercial Windows alternatives obviously. But all the app makers are fine with it.
Valve ( makers of Steam ) can be seen as an alternative platform for gaming. This is why you see Valve investing so heavily in Linux even though they make all their money on Windows.
Every business is affected by the Microsoft monopoly. They’re locked into a platform with god awful office solutions, and they must pay more for their software because there is no competition. Now Microsoft has locked them into subscription based plans instead of one-time purchases, and is effectively holding the entire world hostage.
The amount of times you hear "OMG why did Microsoft change XYZ" across IT departments everywhere...
Because “fuck you” that’s why!
Then explain Chrome OS. Seriously though a lot of software is web based these days. Windows is not special for most uses.
ObXKCD.