VSHN.timer #227: Things that make you go „hmmmm“

Welcome to another VSHN.timer! Every Monday, 5 links related to Kubernetes, OpenShift, CI / CD, and DevOps; all stuff coming out of our own chat system, making us think, laugh, or simply work better.

While it’s easy to criticize big players in the IT world like Microsoft, it’s important to note that they’ve also become significant contributors to open source projects. Plus, Windows now even embraces Linux disciples! But every now and then, they do things that make you go hmmmm (loosely based on Clivillés and Cole https://youtu.be/XF2ayWcJfxo?si=Zpi1JfjrZ26Rh_tY). Here are a few recent examples we’ve noticed (but remember to take them with a grain of salt, considering who’s talking):

1. While the spotlight often shines on Google and Apple for their privacy-washing campaigns, quietly harvesting our online breadcrumbs for ad profits, it seems Outlook has joined the ranks. No longer just an email service, it’s morphed into a data-guzzler for Microsoft’s 801 external buddies and a conduit for Microsoft’s own ads.
   https://proton.me/blog/outlook-is-microsofts-new-data-collection-service
   
   
2. Microsoft employees exposed internal passwords in security lapse. This is the latest security gaffe at Microsoft as the company tries to rebuild trust with its customers after a series of cloud security incidents in recent years.
   https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/09/microsoft-employees-exposed-internal-passwords-security-lapse/?guccounter=1
   
   
3. And here’s a closer look on how Microsoft dominates Swiss Government operations, revealing dependency on data and communication channels (in German):
   https://www.inside-it.ch/vogt-am-freitag-am-tropf-von-microsoft-20240405?s=09
   
   
4. Enough grumbling! As mentioned at the introduction, there are always reasons for a pleasant „hmmmm“! Sudo for Windows was unveiled in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052! This innovative tool revolutionizes how users execute elevated commands directly from an unelevated console session, offering a seamless and intuitive experience. Furthermore, it’s announced that Sudo for Windows is now open source on GitHub, where it will continuously enhance its capabilities.
   https://devblogs.microsoft.com/commandline/introducing-sudo-for-windows
   
   
5. Researcher Connor „Starfrost“ Hyde contacted former Microsoft CTO Ray Ozzie, who found unreleased DOS 4.0 beta binaries. With Microsoft’s support, Hyde aimed to release the DOS 4 source code, shedding light on its evolution. Scott Hanselman and Jeff Sponaugle imaged the original disks, leading to Microsoft’s release of MS DOS 4.00 and beta binaries:
   https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/opensource/2024/04/25/open-sourcing-ms-dos-4-0
   

How do you feel about Microsoft? Friend or foe? Have you already used Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)? And will you take part in the raffle?

Ah, did someone mention a chance to win? You heard right! Prepare for the thrill of snagging complimentary tickets to the exclusive KCD Zurich Rejects 2024 event, happening on June 5th. Don’t miss out on this electrifying opportunity and click here to take part in the prize draw:
https://landing.vshn.ch/de_CH/kcd-zurich-rejects-2024

See you next week for another edition of VSHN.timer.

PS: check out our previous VSHN.timer edition on Microsoft: #51

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