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02.20.14

No Need for Microsoft Inside GNU/Linux, Demand for Microsoft/Windows is Diminishing

Posted in GNU/Linux, Microsoft, Mono at 11:21 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

Summary: Eradicating the Microsoft APIs (e.g. Mono, MonoGame, Unity 3D) now that the world of computing — including gaming — is moving to standards (like OpenGL), Free software (in some cases, for some parts), and GNU/Linux

THERE ARE plenty of jobs in FOSS because Windows and by extension Microsoft are becoming irrelevant to many. Well, even a former Microsoft employee who founded a gaming company is now using GNU/Linux as the de facto (default) platform, which is based on Debian (Steam OS). In its own bizarre way, Valve now makes some source code of Steam visible (not copyleft), too. The world is quickly changing.

What we found baffling is that the other day something called MonoGame, calling itself “an open source implementation of the Microsoft XNA 4.x Framework,” made a headline [1] (Unity 3D hardly makes headlines anymore). Why would anyone still pursue Microsoft APIs when developing for different platforms? Mono is a dying project with Microsoft connections, so anything which incorporates Mono tends to be either from Microsoft, a Microsoft partner, or something along those lines.

As new reports help show [2-4], the world of management and development is moving towards GNU/Linux and away from Windows and Microsoft lock-in. We don’t need to prop Microsoft up by increasing dependence on it. It’s not just a patent risk but also loss of control or autonomy.

While some people suggest installing Windows alongside Steam OS [5], it seems evident that Steam OS is quickly improving [6] and attracting/foostering more GNU/Linux interest from game developers [7] (the portfolio of games for GNU/Linux is quickly broadening [8]). Some rivals are becoming Free software [9,10] (announcements this week), signalling a wonderful trend.

The world is changing. We don’t need to include Microsoft in it. █

Related/contextual items from the news:

  1. Ethan Lee Othwerwise Known As Flibitijibibo Proposes A Full Fork Of MonoGame
  2. Linux Jobs Report: Linux Pros Work For the Love of Linux, Cutting-Edge Tech

    Linux professionals are well paid and highly sought after by job recruiters, but that’s not why they chose their careers. They are motivated by their love of Linux and working with the latest, cutting edge technology, according to the annual Dice.com and Linux Foundation Linux Jobs Report released today.

  3. Linux job market heats up

    Dice, the leading career site for technology and engineering professionals, and The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the growth of Linux and collaborative development, has just released the 2014 Linux Jobs Report (PDF Link). The two found that “The explosive demand for Linux talent is intensifying.”

  4. As Tech Jobs Increase, Linux Skills Top Priority List for Hiring Managers

    US News & World Report recently published its annual ranking of the world’s “100 Best Jobs,” which orders the best occupations by demand, salary and employment rate, among other factors. For the very first time, Software Developer ranked #1 on the list, and systems administrator positions, from computer systems analyst to database administrator and more, ranked among the top 20.

  5. Why you should dual-boot SteamOS and Windows 7
  6. Steam OS, client update brings audio improvements

    Valve has pushed yet another update to its stable version which brings many audio related improvements. Some of the GNU/Linux client and Steam OS related improvements include addition of “an auto-detect step for audio outputs when booting SteamOS for the first time. You can change the selected output device using the Audio option under settings,” according to changelog.

  7. CD Projekt RED Considering The Witcher 3 For Linux If SteamOS Takes Off
  8. Valve introduces ‘Steam Tags’ for easier sorting and discovery
  9. Godot Game Engine Is Now Open Source

    Good news developers, Godot Engine is now open source for you to tinker with. Could this be a real alternative to Unity for developers who want to develop games directly on Linux?

  10. Nothing to Hide goes Open Source

    Nothing to Hide is a queer game that is being developed by an indie developer called Nicky Liow following an even more queer approach to distribution. He intends to keep the game as open to public as possible, as such the game, even though it is still in its initial state of development, has all of its assets like the art, sound and even the code open to the public, accessible and ready to be modified as they see fit, no strings attached.

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