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Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

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Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#141

Post by valarauca1 »

cstejerean wrote: post #80
oldcynic wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Pro edition ... Of course they collect data There's something fundamentally wrong with that to my mind, given how the Pro release of Windows has always been placed. I should not need to get an Enterprise release to be able to manage my own machine, restrict the phoning home, and control other basic features of my machine used in a professional context. I've no need of 101 features for managing 1,000 desktops and ne…

How much did you pay for Windows 10?

My windows 10 Pro cost me $270 when I got it on christmas sale.

I can't disable debug telemetry or cortona. If I set the options to via admin (or even safe mode) via registry edits. After a reboot I'll find them back on.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#142

Post by sandGorgon »

It would have been much better if they had thrown their weight behind Android Things ( https://developer.android.com/things/index.html) Maybe build an open foundation around it like Kubernetes CNCF.

Google is surprisingly open to build democratic orgs around its tech.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#143

Post by ccozan »

johnhenry wrote: post #125
ifdefdebug wrote: post #114

Always nice to remember: "If Microsoft ever does applications for Linux it means I've won." [1] [1] http://edition.cnn.com/TECH/computing/9810/01/whylinux.idg/

So, I guess Linus super-wins?

There is an 80% chance that you are carrying a Linux kernel powered device in your pocket right now.

I think is a undisputed win.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#144

Post by doggydogs94 »

ekianjo wrote: post #16
pfarnsworth wrote: post #6

Microsoft has a lot of great engineers that have no religious bias against Linux. This was strictly a Bill Gates/Steve Ballmer thing. The smartest thing Nadella did was get rid of the Windows religion aspect to their work and let their engineers do the best thing, and not be afraid of Linux.

where is the office suite for Linux then?

As soon as Linux gets up to 5% market share (currently 1% tops), you might see a Linux version.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#145

Post by flukus »

simion314 wrote: post #139
flukus wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ubuntu is following MS lead and introducing data collection by default in 18.04. Google also have a couple of linux based options that are built with the sole purpose of collecting your data. MS for all their faults are at least still in the business of selling operating systems and not selling you.

For Ubuntu is a checkbox at install, this is a big difference between that and 20 hidden switches in registry that each stop different spying code and also get reset by mistake at each update.

Sorry, but a zero tolerance policy of is the only way to stay sane. I don't have time to keep up with every policy change and update on what every app and tool I use has done lately.

I ditched windows for a reason (several, but privacy was one) and I've got no intention of checking every 3 months how far down the slippery slope ubuntu has gone. And they will go down that slippery slope because it's abundantly clear that they as an organisation they don't value privacy.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#146

Post by blendo »

_sh wrote: post #70
kelnos wrote: post #28

I'm confused: they're saying the devices have an ARM A7 chip (presumably they mean Cortex-A7) in them, which is a full 32-bit microprocessor, but they're calling them "microcontrollers"? I would think Windows could run on a Cortex-A7, no? Perhaps the specific parts they're using have a ridiculously-low clock rate or other painful limitations?

You're right, but there is a lot of misunderstanding around this end of the market, mainly because advances have blurred the traditional segmentation. When talking about ARM, the 'M' in Cortex-M means 'microcontroller' whereas the 'A' in Cortex-A means 'application'. Cortex-A systems are often at the centre of 'System-on-Chips' and will run linux, and indeed the NT kernel as well, as they are bundled with enough RAM…

"And who the hell can agree on just what 'embedded' means these days?"

Or what it'll mean in 10 years, as power/radio/processor/sensor specs continue to improve. I'm speculating, but perhaps MS is banking on the low-end to grow, up into the Android/iOS space. So instead of our current 3-10 devices per family we'll have 30-100 devices. Hopefully, those devices will be secure. Maybe they'll be useful :-)

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#147

Post by laumars »

derefr wrote: post #61
lsh wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you actually used Windows 10?? The spotlight is squarely on Facebook and it's privacy intrusions right now, but the data collection when you own the OS must be several orders of magnitude larger. Don't be so eager to forgive them. They're not hugging Linux right now because they're a Good Company trying to Do No Evil.

Have you used Windows 10 Server Core, or Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB? There's no data collection in either of those, because they're for serious people. The Home and Pro editions, meanwhile, are effectively "Xbox OS for PCs." They turn your computer into an entertainment appliance run and maintained by Microsoft itself. Of course they collect data, just like there are data-collection agents on all the nodes of your av…

If you buy something you shouldn't have to jump through hoops to own it. The fact those data collection features are there at all for a paid product is bad in my opinion.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#148

Post by Stratoscope »

valarauca1 wrote: post #141
cstejerean wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How much did you pay for Windows 10?

My windows 10 Pro cost me $270 when I got it on christmas sale. I can't disable debug telemetry or cortona. If I set the options to via admin (or even safe mode) via registry edits. After a reboot I'll find them back on.

$270 USD? That can't be right. Full retail price is only $199. Amazon and Newegg both sell Windows 10 Pro retail download for $189, and Windows 10 Pro 64 bit System Builder OEM disc for $143. These aren't sale prices, just regular prices.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#149

Post by hvidgaard »

russellbeattie wrote: post #29
yndoendo wrote: post #4

Still cannot understand the IoT mentality. It is actually the CoT Communication of Things. Internet shouldn't be required to turn your lights on or off nor be the device communication backbone in an industrial enviornment. Internet should always be the last resort for communicating because of the distance.

Totally with you. Maybe I'm a pessimist or a luddite or something, but I really don't think IoT devices should be connected directly to the Internet. Most are just too simple, underpowered or cheaply made to adequately defend themselves from attacks. IoT gadgets should always talk to a more powerful/secure hub of some sort, which then is exposed to the Internet. Seriously, my WiFi lightbulb switch just has no busines…

I've had this conversation before. I want "IoT" stuff to connect to a bridge I control. Even that does not need to go outside of the network, I can VPN into my network if I need access.

But John Doe does not care, he wants convenience to the point where the IoT manufacturer knows everything about how they use the product.

Re: Microsoft built its own custom Linux kernel for its new IoT service

#150

Post by icebraining »

TeMPOraL wrote: post #119
jamiek88 wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's not on the internet it can't become part of a botnet. You lose functionality though, like being able to check doors etc. remotely. I trust Apple and I trust Homekit so I'm not too concerned with that.

> You lose functionality though, like being able to check doors etc. remotely. You don't. That's what VPNs are for.

What kind of VPN? If you mean using the router to connect the LAN to a VPN, then this[1] report should put to rest the idea that they are trustworthy.

If it's an end-to-end VPN, it's doubtful most of these devices have the power to run a client.

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16847716

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