Microsoft Buying Steam?!?

[Gusington]

Maybe you had gas.

[mirth]

Maybe you had gas.

There's no maybe about it.

[spelk]

I read somewhere*, that MS want to release a version of Windows that is locked in to their App Store, so you can't run any other applications normally, you have to purchase them and have them authenticated through their store.

*found the link:

https://www.gamingonlinux.com/articles/windows-10-s-might-alarm-valve-into-boosting-steamos-again.11170

[bbmike]

^ From the article:

Apparently, Windows 10 S can be upgraded to a "normal" version of Windows 10 Home for free, but the problem is that Microsoft has said around 60% don't even bother to do the upgrade keeping them locked into the Windows Store.

I agree it's stupid of Microsoft to even create a Windows 10 S but it is people's own stupidity if they don't bother to upgrade to Home for free. They aren't really locked into anything.

[spelk]

I agree it's stupid of Microsoft to even create a Windows 10 S but it is people's own stupidity if they don't bother to upgrade to Home for free. They aren't really locked into anything.

Until it's not free.

[old man rant ahead]

It's this dumbing down of everything, turning your PC's & laptops into overpowered phone OSes, where everything is blocked off, hidden, streamlined and geared towards purchases through a proprietary store. That's what stings the most, especially to folks who are used to having control and the power to make the equipment do what they want to do, NOT what the straight-jacketed OS overlords want you to do.

Your average Joe won't give a shit. If their PC/laptop is like their phone everything is gravy. But that is designing down to the lowest common denominator isn't it? Plus, all the DRM, Store funnelling that gets done. All the biggies do it on phones, and now they all want to do it on our main computing devices.

This is a dystopian future run on attention grabbing distraction, unrelenting proprietary consumerism and human worth being judged by social media echo chambers and bean counting life affirming/validation stats.

http://humanetech.com

https://www.ted.com/talks/zeynep_tufekci_we_re_building_a_dystopia_just_to_make_people_click_on_ads

"Give me back my sock, you Goat bastard!"

[OJsDad]

Your average Joe won't give a shit. If their PC/laptop is like their phone everything is gravy. But that is designing down to the lowest common denominator isn't it? Plus, all the DRM, Store funnelling that gets done. All the biggies do it on phones, and now they all want to do it on our main computing devices.

Except MS has to design for the lowest common denominator in addition to the high level users because every time grandma has gets hacked or a virus that was resolved by MS months earlier, then everyone blames MS.  I've seen IT shops not patch their systems then get hit with a virus or attack, even though MS had patches out for more than a couple of months. 

As for pointing them to only apps on the MS store, that's exactly what Apple has done for years.  I don't agree with it, but their following an industry leader.  And, on top of that, those 60% who won't upgrade, don't care.  They have their web browsing and email.  That's about all they need.  Oh, and their solitaire. 

[spelk]

Linux for the win. ;)

Now if I can only persuade Matrix/Slitherine/JTS/et al to develop all their niche wargames on Linux, I'll be sorted.

[RyanE]

"As for pointing them to only apps on the MS store, that's exactly what Apple has done for years.  I don't agree with it, but their following an industry leader.  And, on top of that, those 60% who won't upgrade, don't care.  They have their web browsing and email.  That's about all they need.  Oh, and their solitaire."

All the people complaining about MS and getting locked into anything have obviously never worked in the iOS environment.  You can't do anything without Apple's approval.  It is the main reason most businesses haven't supported iOS devices until recently.  Apple has made a concerted effort to create some cracks in the system to get at field service workers and warehouse workers. 

Apple devices are the definition of the least common denominator in an OS.  It very difficult to get yourself in trouble playing around with it.  My wife has an iPad and I have an MS Surface.  She can't believe what I can do with the Surface.  But she also sees me tinkering and tweaking it all the time.

People forget how impressive MS Windows really is.  It runs on millions of devices that MS has no control over, other than market standards.  iOS only runs on devices directly designed and built under the complete control of Apple.  I am still astounded that MS can work as well as it does on such a huge variety of devices and in so many very complex applications.

[RyanE]

My brother compares PCs to cars.  Up through the 1980's a lot of people used to tinker on their cars.  Into the 1990's, computers became more common and the tinkering market has died a slow death.  Yes, people still do it, but its generally some hardcores.  PCs are the same way.  Anyone who was buying PCs up through the 1990's probably tinkered a lot on them and tweaked them.  Now, cars and PCs are appliances that just work.  To upgrade them, you buy a new one.  Its the Toyota effect on cars and the Apple effect on PCs.  MS is caught in between old and new.

[Ian C]

What concerns me is that I use my PC for work and have invested a lot of money in specialist software. What happens if they lock it down? Windows will be fracking ransomware for professional users who rely on their PC's for business.

[Barthheart]

What concerns me is that I use my PC for work and have invested a lot of money in specialist software. What happens if they lock it down? Windows will be fracking ransomware for professional users who rely on their PC's for business.

I'm in the same boat. 3D design software, FEA software, CFD software.....

[Windigo]

tsk.... Windows Enterprise edition?

[Gusington]

Windows Boobyprize Edition[tm].

[Windigo]

Windows Boobyprize Edition[tm].

I hear Windows Pr0nHub Edition handles graphics better and its visuals are great

[Gusington]

^Lotsa popups.