Microsoft is not an ally Linux needs.

VBA is kind of a wart in Office, hasn't been updated since 1998. They made an attempt of integrating a mini visual studio in Office with C#/VB.net (VSTA), then killed it.

I see many no code alternative poping up (Microsoft power suite, alteryx, etc). But all have a pretty steep learning curve, and frankly the people who are willing to invest the time to learn them migh as well pick up SQL or even python for the same effort.

You will probably not like them, but that doesn't make them vaporware.

Are their certifications just too easy to pass? Should they not have certifications and just have internal support teams?

Are Amazon AWS consultants turning into the same thing or does Amazon somehow do this process differently?

Also the entire line of Adobe and Autodesk products. Photo editing, vector graphics and CAD in any form seems to be badly under served in Linux.

This. Just had a call with MS today on a different matter, and the guy basically had no idea how licensing worked. All he could say was something like "we don't actively enforce those, so if you don't do anything ridiculous, we won't come banging on your door. But you should schedule a call with our licensing specialist who'll be able to help you out, just to be sure".

Dark arts/dark patterns. I think microsoft just emailed me a job offer. Decisions, decisions.

https://futurism.com/moviepass-eye-tracking-ads

“It looks like you’re having trouble cooperating as a willing participant in enforced consumerism. Would you like some help?”

> Yes.

> Yes, please.

Wouldn't you like to have some autoplaying video ads in there?

  > Watch now
    Maybe later

> A broad assumption like "you're in your documents folder; let me suggest other > things related to documents" is annoying, but it doesn't feel particularly > invasive.

It's truly amazing what people will put up with. Reminds me of the lobsters sitting in increasingly hot water, never noticing until they're boiled alive.

And as I think about it, I think I did get to the same spot as you, with the device 'paired' but not really. My theory now is that bluetooth works on a controller/client relationship, and that both your laptop and phone are trying to be controller and are thus incompatible with each other, while things like headphones would be clients. Would love to know if someone more familiar with bluetooth could correct me.