First class Linux support developed by Microsoft · Issue #336 · dotnet/maui (original) (raw)
I would normally have been quite excited to hear about maui. But knowing that Microsoft gets colder quarter after quarter on "we love Linux", the official take so far here comes as no surprise.
Nobody is going to come and completely reimplement one in a long streak of desktop SDK+library flops just for Internet points. Especially one that has been so obviously neglected due to internal policy. Moreover if Microsoft really wants maui to succeed, then they should know that lack of first class Linux support is basically what will ultimately hold it back.
Not because the telemetry and feedback indicate it, but because until it's truly cross-platform, Microsoft is still sending the "We want to lure you into Windows" signal.
I also want to comment on the official responses to calls for Linux support. For a company trying to push such a progressive agenda, gaslighting Linux users by "explaining" that because Linux is open source, the only way to have Linux support is from the community is frankly cruel. As is railroading conversation about this out of sight into the discussions area where it can be safely ignored.
As clever of an answer as it seems, here's how people see the situation: Android is open source too, but Microsoft has spared no expense there for maui. Going the other direction, Microsoft has no problems maintaining .net for Linux and look at how much mindshare it's starting to generate (TypeScript indirectly enjoys a similar phenomenon).
So don't be cryptic about things: What is it really and does Microsoft have the courage to be honest instead of trying to get out of a negative perception by being disingenuous.
If you ask me, Linux support should have been the first priority for this project.
cc. @terrajobst -- This is another anti-Linux/pro-proprietary signal being sent in the ecosystem.