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The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

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Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#21

Post by pikachu_is_cool »

aceperry wrote: post #18

I must say, I'm very impressed with all of the open source moves that MS has done lately. I wonder if that will drive more adoption of C# and cause Oracle to open up Java. I'm not a fan of C# because it's basically only used on windows systems, despite xamarin and et al.

Yeah, especially since you need to pay a regular fee to use Xamarin, and it's not libre software either.

If a free Xamarin came out I'd jump on the C# boat in a heartbeat, which I guess is what MS is trying to do with all this open sourcing (free software-ifying?).

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#22

Post by MrZipf »

The open-sourcing is a sign that MSFT is in a tricky spot (BYOD, mobile, tablet, games) and desperately needs to improve relations with the outside world. Expect we'll also see MSFT using more open source in products to compete effectively though I wonder what'd happen with internal best practices that the outside world doesn't have, e.g. SAL. Will they contribute back? Let's see.

Inside MSFT there used to be minimal credit for releasing source which was a strong inhibitor in the employee review process. And a gratuitously awkward internal process for open sourcing code with no path for accepting changes/contributions. Attitudes are definitely improving.

The major benefit of this particular move will be when you're working on Windows drivers - now you can see and completely grok what a piece of code does until it transitions into the kernel proper.

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#23

Post by btzll »

aceperry wrote: post #18

I must say, I'm very impressed with all of the open source moves that MS has done lately. I wonder if that will drive more adoption of C# and cause Oracle to open up Java. I'm not a fan of C# because it's basically only used on windows systems, despite xamarin and et al.

Since most of the income of Oracle comes from Enterprise software, I doubt they will do what MS does in the near future.

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#24

Post by pjmlp »

aceperry wrote: post #18

I must say, I'm very impressed with all of the open source moves that MS has done lately. I wonder if that will drive more adoption of C# and cause Oracle to open up Java. I'm not a fan of C# because it's basically only used on windows systems, despite xamarin and et al.

I like both eco-systems a lot, however Java is currently more open than .NET, specially if you look around for available certified JVMs.

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#25

Post by threeseed »

MrZipf wrote: post #22

The open-sourcing is a sign that MSFT is in a tricky spot (BYOD, mobile, tablet, games) and desperately needs to improve relations with the outside world. Expect we'll also see MSFT using more open source in products to compete effectively though I wonder what'd happen with internal best practices that the outside world doesn't have, e.g. SAL. Will they contribute back? Let's see. Inside MSFT there used to be minimal…

It's also a sign that Microsoft sees its future in services.

Which in that case means that protecting the former "company jewels" of Windows and Office ceases to be less important.

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#26

Post by NicoJuicy »

pjmlp wrote: post #24
aceperry wrote: post #18

I must say, I'm very impressed with all of the open source moves that MS has done lately. I wonder if that will drive more adoption of C# and cause Oracle to open up Java. I'm not a fan of C# because it's basically only used on windows systems, despite xamarin and et al.

I like both eco-systems a lot, however Java is currently more open than .NET, specially if you look around for available certified JVMs.

In this particular case, i'd prefer Windows above Oracle (Java) anytime, considering they deliver malware with their Java Setup...

Edit: Some people give a link to an alterantive download without malware... You know 99% of all Java downloads don't know that, do you?

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#28

Post by stinos »

frozenport wrote: post #20
ximeng wrote: post #14

One barrier to developing drivers for Windows is the driver signing policy https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff... which requires you to pay for a software publisher certificate.

I can live with this. Buggy software drivers wreak havoc and security vulnerabilities. I routinely use expensive industrial equipment without signed drivers, and the problem seems to be a warning from the installer.

This seems to be the case indeed. The couple of times Windows BSOD'd on me was always because of faulty drivers and more often than not the unsigned ones.

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#29

Post by ximeng »

MrZipf wrote: post #22

The open-sourcing is a sign that MSFT is in a tricky spot (BYOD, mobile, tablet, games) and desperately needs to improve relations with the outside world. Expect we'll also see MSFT using more open source in products to compete effectively though I wonder what'd happen with internal best practices that the outside world doesn't have, e.g. SAL. Will they contribute back? Let's see. Inside MSFT there used to be minimal…

Didn't recognise SAL - assuming it is source annotation language:

https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~fp/courses/15122-f10/lectures/25-sal...

It looks like this can be used:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms182032(v=vs.110)....

Re: The Windows Driver Frameworks are on GitHub

#30

Post by kriro »

There are actually some strong OS voices in Microsoft. I was at Solutions Linux in France (around 2006 iirc) and there was a Microsoft booth. Since our booth had some downtime I talked to the guy manning their booth who was kind of stranded between Linux distros and FLOSS companies.

He was pretty cool and genuinely trying to advance OS within Microsoft but said it's a pretty frustrating experience overall (his descriptions of the internal processes at Microsoft were pretty interesting). Seems like they have come a long way since, I hope he's still working there. I should have his card somewhere at home :)

So as far as I know there have been developers who were pushing to open source a lot of infrastructure/language stuff for quite some time.

Edit: I think it's no coincidence we see this happening now that Ballmer is gone. He was kind of the villain in the "let's open source stuff" stories I heard.

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