Microsoft and Open source

Abhi

Microsoft has made some of their old code available as open source. It is now available through Github ( which is a Microsoft company ). This piece of code is from 1983.

We are excited to announce the open-sourcing of Microsoft GW-BASIC on GitHub!

Yes, seriously 😀
Why?

Since re-open-sourcing MS-DOS 1.25 & 2.0 on GitHub last year, we’ve received numerous requests to also open-source Microsoft BASIC.

Well, here we are! 😁

Source

phenomlab

And there was me thinking that 8 bit computing was dead. Obviously not.

Abhi

Imagine if MS open source Windows XP code ? Someone will make a good theme and make it so 2020 ish.

phenomlab

Abhi Imagine if MS open source Windows XP code ? Someone will make a good theme and make it so 2020 ish

In the same ilk, someone could also reverse engineer the code so that it includes a zombie. You install it and instantly provide a DDoS participant that regularly calls a command and control host waiting for instructions....

admin

Now that you are asking, ask for the Windows 7 source code 🤣

admin

I think Abhi is banking on the fact that all open source is safe.

phenomlab instantly provide a DDoS participant

There still a lot of people who unknowingly fall prey to it. Mainly by installing software the improper way.

phenomlab

admin Mainly by installing software the improper way

Yes. Mostly through nefarious channels such as bit torrents and illegal download sites.

Abhi

The companies need to act smart. No one tries to find a crack for Google. Or a license key for it. And yet it is one of the most profitable companies in the world. It is not the people most of the time. I am not saying that everyone is smart enough not to try them. But around 80 % of the computer literate will choose a safe option if they can afford it.

Same price for the US, Europe and Africa. I can't find a better joke.

admin

Abhi Same price for the US, Europe and Africa. I can't find a better joke.

I don't support this argument 100 %. There are many affordable work which people try to get for free.

To some extend, if we take this sentence in the context, yes. Same price for all countries sounds absurd to me.

phenomlab

I agree with @admin here. There has always been price disparity between the US and UK for example.

admin

phenomlab There has always been price disparity between the US and UK for example.

Which one is costly ?

phenomlab

admin the UK without a doubt

Abhi

Why so ? The UK is more rich ? I always thought that the US would to have the heavier bill their side. Just for the sake of pride 😉

phenomlab

Abhi nope, the opposite in fact.