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Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

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Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#51

> Microsoft has already ported Edge to run under Linux. There is only one way that makes any sense, and that is as a trial run for freeing the rest of the Windows utility suite from depending on any emulation layer. This is a very strange conclusion to draw. Chromium was already ported to Linux. Microsoft just "ported" the Edge skin which likely uses very little Windows-specific code.

But why Linux and not macOS?

They ported Chromium-based Edge to macOS before Linux.

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#52
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>best linux distro around. If I could easily run IntellJ on it I would switch. It's not a Distro.

What makes a distribution a distribution? Wikipedia and others list it as a distribution. I thought any packaging of Linux kernel + whatever surrounding software needed to make an OS is a “distro”?

Would you consider android a linux distro?

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes a distribution a distribution? Wikipedia and others list it as a distribution. I thought any packaging of Linux kernel + whatever surrounding software needed to make an OS is a “distro”?

Would you consider android a linux distro?

Well at least I thought so (for the same reason as ChromeOS).

People seem divided on the topic. Obviously if distro means “Linux kernel based OS” then it’s a distro just like chromeOS. The Linux foundation for example, thinks Android is a Linux distribution.

It’s those who don’t must argue something more than just the kernel is needed, such as more GNU stuff. Exactly what that is, is what I’m curious about and why I asked.

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#54

> "Ten years later, Azure makes Microsoft most of its money." Well, no, not yet. Microsoft doesn't break out Azure separately. It's usually included in their "Intelligent Cloud", which is the largest segment, but that also includes SQL Server (a big money maker), Windows Server, GitHub, and other stuff. "Commercial Cloud" revenue (which is all the cloud portions of their products, from Azure to Office 365 Commercial)…

> Microsoft doesn't break out Azure separately ... "Commercial Cloud" revenue (which is all the cloud portions of their products, from Azure to Office 365 Commercial)

I'm begging people, please stop repeating this. Microsoft has been reporting O365 revenue separately from Azure revenue for like five years now.

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#55

I'm buying a new computer. Currently I have only ubuntu linux machines and was just saying to someone that I would actually consider trying windows and WSL because it would let me use the linux tools I want alongside MS office, and it might be interesting to play with windows versions of things. The reason I wont actually do it though is because I'm sure that windows will be filled with commercially oriented intrusio…

I use Windows 10 with Classic Start Menu. I see no adverts. I do see some notifications, almost all of which are useful. Probably you should try things first, before jumping to conclusions - I find Windows 10 a pretty good experience, and yes, I have also been using Linux for about 30 years.

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#56
> and Linux finally wins the desktop wars, not by displacing Windows but by co-opting it

That's not a "win", though. That's "being subsumed". After all, if LSW works, why would anyone with normal computing needs ever need to install Linux on a computer ever again? Or even in a VM, for that matter? As long as they have Windows, they get the parts of Linux they need for free, without the headache of actually learning the convoluted finer points of properly using a well configured Linux distro.

If anything, Linux finally loses the desktop war, by no longer being needed as a standalone OS. It's now something you just fire up on the side if you need something that only has a Makefile, rather than an .sln file...

Your desktop is still Windows, your applications are still Windows, and LSW is there for when you need to do "that thing that only people who work with computers for a living need to do". No one even needs to be told that when they run "bash", they're running Linux: it's now just another app you run. Linux didn't just lose, it got made irrelevant.

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes a distribution a distribution? Wikipedia and others list it as a distribution. I thought any packaging of Linux kernel + whatever surrounding software needed to make an OS is a “distro”?

Would you consider android a linux distro?

[deleted]

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#59

I'm buying a new computer. Currently I have only ubuntu linux machines and was just saying to someone that I would actually consider trying windows and WSL because it would let me use the linux tools I want alongside MS office, and it might be interesting to play with windows versions of things. The reason I wont actually do it though is because I'm sure that windows will be filled with commercially oriented intrusio…

I solve it. Here's my setup:

- don't use online account, but offline (local) one

- use WPD to uncheck absolutely everything related to windows telemetry / sending info. I keep only updates and those set to manual.

- and can't stress this enough - get a PiHole, either on RPi or re-purpose a crappy old laptop. This one is also good for your smartcrap you usually get to your spouse/kids

Re: Last Phase of the Desktop Wars?

#60
post #22

I am afraid of EEE strategy of Microsoft . But,Windows having WSL means that Developers can target Linux only without even considering Windows , being sure that all Linux binaries run on WSL . But proprietary extensions of WSL should never ever be used.

EEE is not going to have any impact on Linux (and also, EEE hasnt been Microsof's strategy for a while). Once they start extending with proprietary additions, you basically just end up where you were with two operating systems, a proprietary windows and an open source Linux. They can't force the kernel to accept proprietary extensions.

> They can't force the kernel to accept proprietary extensions.

They don't need to. They just need to offer a "better" Linux (kernel and/or distro) that also runs Excel, and is backed by a global Fortune 10 corporation.

It's Linux, it's legal, it's E₂ and brings E₃ within reach if they choose that path.

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