ZDoom

Cacodemon345 wrote:There isn't a point in keeping Windows closed-source completely.

That could be argued for any software, really, but it's all about a matter of perspective and cost vs gain.

Like it or not, the Windows NT source is going to contain a lot of trade secrets that Microsoft does not want exposing to its competitors - the biggest ones being Apple and Google, right now.

And while what Graf's statements saying that Windows isn't really going to be the dominating force in Microsoft like it was in the 90's and 00's, - the fact is we just "aren't there yet" with these lavish future expectations that we think Microsoft should work towards or believe they actually are.

I think it's likely we'll get there - if I had to predict, we'll be seeing it sometime before 2040, but I can't predict exactly when (keep in mind even I could be wrong about this). But it's going to be a journey to get there and a whole generation will pass in that time - during which, no doubt, many new minds and new blood will have infused Microsoft who have different ideas about where the company should be headed.

Microsoft likely won't open-source any important bits of Windows, because then it'd be easier for projects like WINE to make windows programs work on Linux, even if they don't copy the code directly. More Windows programs working properly on Linux == more people moving to Linux because they dislike Windows. Imagine Google or Apple doing the same thing, making highly-competent Windows compatibility translators for MacOS and ChromeOS. Competition is Microsoft's worst nightmare.

Once they are done with Windows for about 15-30 years from now, which is unlikely, they will open-source important bits of Windows.

Caligari87 wrote:Microsoft likely won't open-source any important bits of Windows, because then it'd be easier for projects like WINE to make windows programs work on Linux, even if they don't copy the code directly. More Windows programs working properly on Linux == more people moving to Linux because they dislike Windows. Imagine Google or Apple doing the same thing, making highly-competent Windows compatibility translators for MacOS and ChromeOS. Competition is Microsoft's worst nightmare.

I'd laugh if Apple gave any serious consideration to compatibility, whatsoever.

Cacodemon345 wrote:Once they are done with Windows for about 15-30 years from now, which is unlikely, they will open-source important bits of Windows.

Outside of our own conjecture here, which itself is only speculation anyhow and not real proof, you have no proof of that.

Spoiler:

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Again that stupid parrot with its incorrect pronounciation?

Caligari87 wrote:Imagine Google or Apple doing the same thing, making highly-competent Windows compatibility translators for MacOS and ChromeOS. Competition is Microsoft's worst nightmare.

It really depends on what they want to achieve and where the plan to earn their money.
Having used Wine on both Linux and Mac I had to conclude that it's an unsatisfying experience mostly with apps that poorly integrate with the underlying system. So that's not the road to salvation for competitors.
And if Microsoft doesn't see Windows as a money maker anymore but as a means to run enterprise services it may even be in their interest to get Windows apps running on other systems.
But only time will tell. The one thing that's certain is that they cannot and will not depend on Windows as their sole means of income. They need to spread out to 'competing' platforms to be less vulnerable.

That's quite unlike Apple. Should the unimaginable happen and iOS fail, they'd be toast.

Graf Zahl wrote:Again that stupid parrot with its incorrect pronounciation?

That's the joke.