Bonum Certa Men Certa

Microsoft Targets GNU/Linux Advocates With Phony Charm Offensives and Fake 'Love'

If you can't get them fired, 'charm' them

Microsoft bullying



Summary: The ways Microsoft depresses GNU/Linux advocacy and discourages enthusiasm for Software Freedom is not hard to see; it's worth considering and understanding some of these tactics (mostly assimilation-centric and love-themed), which can otherwise go unnoticed

Microsoft loves [to attack] Linux (usually by proxy, in 'creative' new ways, as internal Microsoft documents admit and have already revealed). A lot of people aren't aware of it or in denial about it (especially those whose financial interests intersect with such a convenient denial).



This post explains three such strands of attacks, based on new articles which are only days old.

From Bought Seats to Misleading Media



"Congrats to Zemlin and the Golden Boys (money). They sell out to Microsoft so that you don't have to (and they profit from it!)."So Microsoft bought some more seats from the Jim Zemlin-led Linux Foundation (this was announced just yesterday). Congrats to Zemlin and the Golden Boys (money). They sell out to Microsoft so that you don't have to (and they profit from it!). As it turns out, handing over community-run projects to large corporations can be a very profitable activity. About $100,000,000 per year...

Who advocates such an activity? Over the years we've named some of the biggest culprits, including Mac Asay, who was turning his back on Open Source to promote proprietary software openwashing. When he worked as COO at Canonical he wasn't even using GNU/Linux! Just like Jono Bacon...

"Remember that Asay applied for a job at Microsoft and went for interviews there, by his own admission (in his personal blog)."One reader sent us a pointer to this latest article from Asay, asking us: "How did that guy worm his way into regular publication?"

"Adobe paid the publishers," I responded. "Follow the money."

At times his articles are published with disclosure, literally stating that they're sponsored by his employer (at the time), Adobe. He recently moved to AWS after he had repeatedly advocated their malicious exploitation of FOSS projects -- causing these projects to become proprietary. One might joke that the job offer from Amazon was a "reward" for what he did. "The US Department of Defense isn't turning its back on open source," he now says, "it's just getting smarter about it."

No, it's becoming more proprietary and this is nothing to be celebrated! Unless you work for AWS, in which case it's very much in tune with the whole 'cloud' (Clown Computing) business model. DoD is now outsourcing a lot of stuff to AWS, Asay's employer.

"Phipps is a tough nut for Microsoft to crack (or buy). We need more like him."Remember that Asay applied for a job at Microsoft and went for interviews there, by his own admission (in his personal blog). He later brought Microsoft to OSI (after he had gotten a seat there -- a seat he no longer has).

Influence from seats in key institutions is prerequisite/prelude to entryism, which is why we were glad to see Microsoft leaving the OSI's Board some time earlier this year. This relieving news may only be temporary; judging by what Simon Phipps tweeted the other day about Stallman, he still views Microsoft as a threat. Phipps has long been resisting entryism by Microsoft, viewing that as a "submarine"...

Phipps is a tough nut for Microsoft to crack (or buy). We need more like him.

From Hate to Fake 'Love'



If no proprietary software is tolerated by people, then openwashing with 'fake news' will be attempted. People who value Software Freedom will be singled out and painted as "extremists" and "zealots" (unless/until they sell out). Microsoft knows these tactics; it's not even novel as it's done a lot in politics. Or in religion, which is what Microsoft has become.

"If no proprietary software is tolerated by people, then openwashing with ‘fake news’ will be attempted."Don't get us started on Swapnil's site (not Linux.com but his personal site, which we prefer not to link to); it is a cesspool of marketing spam and lightly-edited press releases. Linux.com is now run by these types. Thanks, "Linux" Foundation... and thank you, Microsoft, for "loving" us.

We're not sure how many of our readers are aware of/familiar with Jason from Forbes. He's their only writer who covers GNU/Linux. He does a pretty good job. So now Microsoft targets him...

Yes, they contacted him. Who did? Not a "Linux advocate" as Jason puts it (in his headline) but someone who helps Microsoft, i.e. Windows, Azure etc.

"Microsoft knows these tactics; it's not even novel as it's done a lot in politics. Or in religion, which is what Microsoft has become."We've never heard his name before. He merely talks/tells a bunch of lies to Jason, e.g.: “At Microsoft, we have many statements like ‘Microsoft ❤️ Linux’ and ‘Microsoft ❤️ Open Source’, but the one that resonates with me most right now is ‘Microsoft runs on trust,’” Scott tells me."

Scott?

Not Guthrie?

I've been around for a very long time (reading GNU/Linux news all day long) and not even once did I stumble upon this name. Never. He's a faker. Like a person who climbed a mountain once and then claims to be a "mountain climber".

What does Scott promote through Jason at Forbes? Open Source? Nope. This is proprietary software. This is Microsoft. This is surveillance. The article -- to make matters even worse -- comes with a lie, manufactured by Microsoft, as a feature image. The lie is embedded in pixels that are passed around like that. "Microsoft loves Linux..."

"...the way Microsoft manipulates writers into it has been documented here for years. Sometimes these writers 'blow the whistle' -- so to speak -- instead of cooperating with Microsoft."Yeah, right!

Jason, this time you messed up! You let them manipulate you. The link (URL)? Here. In case someone wants a dose of nonsense.

Jason's example is one of many; the way Microsoft manipulates writers into it has been documented here for years. Sometimes these writers 'blow the whistle' -- so to speak -- instead of cooperating with Microsoft.

From Openwashing to Googlebombing



What would happen if people started to associate proprietary software with "Open"? Or Windows with "Linux"? What if the vocabulary we all use ceased to have a meaningful purpose and became so ambiguous and confusing that it's an hopeless exercise in (mis)communication? Someone has just called the above (from Jason) openwashing [1, 2]. The term "openwashing" is catching on; it helps describe what we're talking about. It's an attack on language itself, it's a lexical attack vector.

Here's an example; so there's this thing called WSL (or WSL2). Up until recently it was just Windows calling itself "Linux". We explained the motivation. It is a Microsoft Trojan horse strategy, using "Linux" as a Windows/Azure 'ramp'. Watch what was published two days ago about "Windows Subsystem for Linux 2" (it's part of the headline, which actually entered news feeds about Linux).

"Towards the end of this past week about a quarter of the search results for "Linux" were actually Microsoft something..."The day before we learned of "Cortana and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) improvements" (another headline) and last night "Windows 10 Preview Adds Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 on ARM64 Devices" (from Microsoft-connected media). Towards the end of this past week about a quarter of the search results for "Linux" were actually Microsoft something...

Sometimes it's as much as a half! Like one week earlier.

Microsoft fights us with googlebombing techniques. And it may be winning. It's working. Instead of seeing GNU/Linux wins (like the big news from Huawei) people see some Vista 10 'spam'. Microsoft has resorted to rather effective Trojan horse strategies. These are 'side perks'; it's at least partly intentional and they teach these things in marketing schools/colleges.

This is upsetting; "another spying app for Microsoft" is what my wife called this new thing (she covers Android at Tux Machines and is increasingly being presented with Microsoft proprietary surveillance stuff, which Microsoft 'googlebombs' Android with).

"Based on mails we've been receiving, there are reactionary movements in the making."She also complained about this "Microsoft PlayReady DRM server on Linux."

This is the type of stuff she finds when looking for "Linux" news. That's just leveraged to promote and spread Microsoft malice and lock-in (DRM).

Understanding the game Microsoft plays is essential if we intend to tackle it. We're merely explaining what we see. Based on mails we've been receiving, there are reactionary movements in the making.

Recent Techrights' Posts

It's a Lot Easier to Participate in the Unethical System Than to Oppose Injustices in It
Going after powerful and high-budget interests is never easy
For the First Time in a Month OSI's "OpenSource.org" Blogs and It's Basically a Microsoft Blog Post (Microsoft Controls OSI)
For the first time in a month OSI writes something and it is Microsoft propaganda composed by a Microsoft-salaried operative
Microsoft, Already Borrowing 3 Billion Dollars a Month, is Trying to Cause Many People to Resign
MSN (i.e. Microsoft) and others openly admit it
They Want Activists to Just Barely Walk and Eat, Not Do Activism Anymore
It's sort of like the ending of '1984'
 
Links 08/08/2025: "Quit Facebook" and High Cost of Microsoft/Windows Shown Again ("BlackSuit")
Links for the day
Good Morning, Readers of The Register MS
Things The Register MS could (but does not) cover this morning
Why Gemini Protocol Has a Bright Future
Maybe Gemini Protocol's promise becomes more appealing as the Web turns to slop and bloat
Microsofters Filed Two SLAPPs Against Us, Now They Cannot Keep Up With Judges' Orders
For over 4 months already their facilitator in London has been under investigation by British authorities because of what's being done to my wife and I
Censorship Regarding Red Hat Layoffs
Talk about this? They'd rather not.
Struggling to Cut Costs, Microsoft Continues Shutting Down and Cancelling Stuff This Month
There are August layoffs at Microsoft
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, August 07, 2025
IRC logs for Thursday, August 07, 2025
Fake 'Linux' Articles, Written by Bots to Take Traffic Away From Real Articles
LLM slop helps replace information with junk or misinformation
When Google's Googlebombing of "Gemini" Was Not Enough; They Now Also Googlebomb "Gemini Space"?
We know GAFAM not only worries about Gemini Protocol but also attempts to 'infiltrate' Geminispace
The Register MS Promotes Microsoft Slop, Assumes All Readers Use Microsoft Windows
Microsoft really dominates the site
Gemini Links 08/08/2025: KDE/Qt Development and What's Missing From "Retro"
Links for the day
Links 07/08/2025: US Punishes India Instead of Russia, Attacks Law Firms to Prevent Scrutiny
Links for the day
Read Us in Geminispace as Well
it's definitely a lot simpler than using a Web browser
Once a Site About BSD and GNU/Linux, and After Months of Silence, LinuxBSDos.com Comes Back Only as a Slopfarm
very frustrating
Links 07/08/2025: Hardware Wars, Mass Recall of Colgate Total Clean Mint, More Microsoft Holes Found
Links for the day
Gemini Links 07/08/2025: "Right To Manage" and LoRa Analysis
Links for the day
GAFAM 'Says' is Front Page "News"
The point of journalism is to check and assess facts, not parrot what people and companies merely claim
Links 07/08/2025: Apple Makes False Promises, More Trouble for Microsoft
Links for the day
OSS Didn't Always Mean Open Source Software
"oligarchs all the way down"
The Register MS Does More Microsoft Sez or GitHub Sez (Says) Pieces
60 minutes ago
Quit Perpetuating the Narrative of Gemini Protocol 'Dying' (It's False)
The "whisper campaign" against Gemini Protocol
Criticising Social Control Media in Social Control Media
Many people are quitting Social Control Media (fewer of them announce this in public)
Non-Free JavaScript Programs in Banks Aren't Even the Biggest Problem
Technology was supposed to make life easier; in practice, however, for most of us the opposite effect can be observed
Slopfarms Are Typically Fake News
Slopfarms typically relay falsehoods
Gemini Links 06/08/2025: Replacing a Pocket Watch and Buying in Bulk
Links for the day
IBM is Obliterating Fedora
"Fedora releases were shipping with an increasing number of bugs on launch day even while I was using it for a several year stretch."
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, August 06, 2025
IRC logs for Wednesday, August 06, 2025
August Hits Microsoft Hard: Dead Divisions, Dead Products, Layoffs Again (on Week 1)
Microsoft's debt is soaring
Slopwatch: Slow Day for LLM Slop, Serial Sloppers Still at It in Their Slopfarms
The Web would be better off if those sites went offline
Red Hat Layoffs Expected in 5 Days (Monday)
"They will announce and proceed with the cuts on 08/11."
Links 06/08/2025: Substack in Trouble, Slop Sceptic Shira Perlmutter Seeks Emergency Injunction Pending Appeal
Links for the day
Gemini Links 06/08/2025: Pinephone, Reverse-Engineering, and More
Links for the day
Links 06/08/2025: Faked Values of Slop Companies and Government Bailouts
Links for the day
FOSSY 2025 Conference Safety
The GAFAM-funded FOSSY 2025 is over
Microsoft's Favourite Pay-to-Say 'Analyst' Firm Has Just Collapsed
'Analysts' that helped propel Microsoft to fictional values akin to Ponzi schemes
Ask Google (Jeeves)
What does Google "know", not know, or would rather forget (or embellish)?
They Want You To Talk About Trump or 'The Other Bill' in Relation to Trafficking of Underage Girls for Sexual Exploitation
Just something we wanted to say...
How to Quadruple Your "Goodwill" Value and Grow Your (Wall) Street "Value" From $152B to $4000B Without Producing a Single Successful Product/Service
The longer it goes on for, the bigger the implosion will be
Staying Productive
Two very reputable institutions recently told us they now reckon Microsoft is somehow funding those SLAPPs against us
A Blow for Patent Ambitions of Bill Epsteingate
It's about money
66 Countries Where More People Use iPhones (or iPads) Than Microsoft Windows, According to statCounter Data
a list of countries where iOS now exceeds Windows
Apple's iOS Bigger Than Microsoft Windows in Many Countries
This ought to alarm Microsoft
The Mainstream Media Talks About Spotify Share Price and Price Hikes, Not Its Debt Increasing by About 33% in Just 12 Months
Spotify isn't a company in good shape
New "US Editor for The Register" is 80% Microsoft and Windows
they typically just treat Microsoft like the "Holy Grail" of "IT"
Microsoft is Apparently Sending Gag Orders or NDAs to Staff That Got Laid Off (“We were told not to post on LinkedIn. Not to say anything.”)
The main lies we keep seeing
Richard M. Stallman Has Published AI Memos Since 1980 (45 Years Ago)
Back when the term AI actually meant something
Gemini Links 06/08/2025: BitTorrent and Feedly Bots
Links for the day
Windows All-Time Lows, Android All-Time Highs in Kuwait
New lows for Windows can be found in many countries this month
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Tuesday, August 05, 2025
IRC logs for Tuesday, August 05, 2025