THIS may not be very publicly visible (except to those who read our IRC logs, which are public), but we've been researching what drives WSL development and who takes the lead.
"There's absolutely no practical reason to use WSL; it's a lot easier and technically far better to get something like VirtualBox, which is also Free software, then install under it one's distribution of choice."Isn't it curious that lawyers rather than geeks are in charge? Earlier this month we took note of their support for USPTO-granted software patents (despite 35 U.S.C. ۤ 101) that Microsoft still uses against GNU/Linux, even this year.
We are still drilling and digging. Many parallels can be found between the people who promoted Mono inside GNU/Linux and are now Microsoft employees (they weren't at the time).
There's absolutely no practical reason to use WSL; it's a lot easier and technically far better to get something like VirtualBox, which is also Free software, then install under it one's distribution of choice. But WSL is a lot easier for Microsoft to spy on, remotely break/brick and add Windows-only "extensions" to (the second "E" in EEE). It doesn't take a genius to foresee what Microsoft will seek to accomplish with WSL and one only needs to assess the background of those who promote it. They're not GNU/Linux people but Microsoft/Windows people. They view GNU/Linux as something to merely be exploited.
"...Kirkland left after 10 years; hard to imagine he was proud to have turned Ubuntu into an 'app' for spyware disguised as an operating system with obligatory ads."Months ago Will Cooke stepped down As Canonical's Ubuntu Desktop Director (Rick Spencer, head of Ubuntu's desktop a decade ago, had come from Microsoft) and Canonical also lost the person who initially announced WSL (on behalf of Canonical), Dustin Kirkland. He now works for Apex Clearing, having left his position at Canonical (Product Manager or VP Product).
"After 7+ years at IBM," he once explained, "I joined Canonical in (February 2008)..."
So Mr. Kirkland left after 10 years; hard to imagine he was proud to have turned Ubuntu into an 'app' for spyware disguised as an operating system with obligatory ads.
All in all, there are many warning signs 'in the air' and while our investigation continues we'll refrain from saying anything we cannot verify (at least not yet). Remember this: WSL is not good for GNU/Linux. WSL is good for Microsoft. WSL is promoted not by GNU/Linux people but by Microsoft proponents. Just like Mono was... ⬆
"I saw that internally inside Microsoft many times when I was told to stay away from supporting Mono in public. They reserve the right to sue"