Microsoft is on par with Linux and BSD machines. Until you are reading all the source code, there's no point in switching to Linux or BSD if you're already using Microsoft. Microsoft has the best and robust tools for the job.
> I can trace the code all the way down to the kernel.
Maybe you can but do you? This requires not only figuring out how to compile your ENTIRE stack but also doing it AND figuring out how to debug each piece (since generic debugging tools are not the best). I understand there may be major issues that require this level of insanity but the rarity is so incredibly high and so few have enough domain knowledge to do it effectively that I don't buy this argument at all.
There's a level of understanding and debugging possible from reading the source without compiling/debugging that's not possible with access only to binaries. I'm a .NET/Windows developer mostly, and I've found myself consulting the .NET library reference source dozens of times over the past year. This has been useful, despite the fact I've never compiled it. Five years ago I would never have thought my work would require that level of understanding. You may be surprised how fast you can find yourself in areas where the internet doesn't provide ready answers when you start working on unusual stuff. You may also be surprised how fast you can figure out code that once seemed impenetrable when it's the next logical step in fixing an issue you desperately want solved.
> There's a level of understanding and debugging possible from reading the source without compiling/debugging that's not possible with access only to binaries. I'm a .NET/Windows developer mostly,[...]
I certainly agree with you but the claims of tracing the flow of execution down to the kernel? That's extreme in my opinion. Obviously there are times that's useful but for the majority of developers I can't imagine that's even as frequent as a rare occurrence. At least in my personal experience I only know maybe 2 people in my past experience who could actually do this. I just don't think the majority of developers know how to step outside of a few frameworks or languages.
At least Microsoft released the debug symbols for .Net back in 2012 so you've been able to at least trace through your framework's source for a while now :)
What percentage of Linux users do you think have the capability or the desire to spend their time tracing calls through various libraries and kernel source?
When I run into a problem on my Linux machine, I typically have to do a lot of searching. More searching than I must do with Windows, because while there is generally only one Windows (at least relative to Linux), there are hundreds of Linuxes, distros and versions of those distros - many that are majorly different than the previous version.
Do you think it's easier for the average Linux user to find answers?
>What percentage of Linux users do you think have the capability or the desire to spend their time tracing calls through various libraries and kernel source?
A minority, to be sure. But ultimately I am worried about the ability possessed by myself, my team, and potential hires. Not that of the average Linux user not working on the problems I am working on.
The argument for how the ability to do this is beneficial is not predicated on general users being able to do it, but the people administrating the services in question being able to do it.
If you have the ability to do so, it's possible in Linux (or the other open source OS). It's simply not possible in Windows.
Whether or not that's a huge deal is up for debate, but you're not really attacking a part of the argument that's relevant to their original point.
I thought the average linux user was a professional user. So, I guess I'd like to know if you think that most pros actually take the time to start digging into unknown code versus just looking things up?
I don't think so. Given how many types of customer's microsoft serves, I think it's a good move. Many of microsoft customer are old sensitive business of banking, healthcare which have tons of regulation and being able to use Azure in their own data center is a really help them modernize their software stack.
Moreover, I don't know how we could undercut Microsoft on price either. I mean Azure and all of Microsoft Cloud Services(being Microsoft) probably gets Microsoft Windows licenses and all the licenses for free of cost and people like Rack space would have to pay for the licenses...
The only thing we could do is become better than Microsoft at reliability (hah!) and customer service (which there might be a shot at in the short term).
A few months ago I bought a surface 3 pro for testing. For the first week or so I was quite impressed by the metro stuff. Looks nice, works well with touch.
I was very disappointed that there are no metro interfaces for browsing files or basic things like looking at a text file.
Its really disappointing to have to drop down into the old, messy, ugly windows.
I think to be able to apply for scholarship you need to be member of one of the listed STEM organizations. All of the listed STEM organizations seems to be only for women, black and hispanic. What about normal people from normal school?
You must also be enrolled part-time or full-time in a course of study, or be a member or alumni of one of the listed STEM organizations. [1]
-- Key word there is 'OR'
I'm only replying to this in order to help others; I think you should strongly reconsider your use of the word 'normal', especially when using it in a way that could be misconstrued as a comparison against minorities or other groups of people, i.e. excluding 'women, black and hispanic' from being 'normal'.
Strange. I don't get any error you speak of when taking the test. It just gets accepted. I'm singed in so try signing first and then take the test. Either way, its still annoying maybe the website is still a work in progress who knows. You can also contact the author with the email provided in the about page.
