this post was submitted on 19 May 2025
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The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source. (blogs.windows.com)
submitted 1 day ago by MCasq_qsaCJ_234@lemmy.zip to c/technology@lemmy.world
159 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Today we’re very excited to announce the open-source release of the Windows Subsystem for Linux. This is the result of a multiyear effort to prepare for this, and a great closure to the first ever issue raised on the Microsoft/WSL repo:

https://github.com/microsoft/WSL

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[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 219 points 23 hours ago (4 children)

I still will never understand why it's not called Linux Subsystem for Windows.

[–] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 31 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

I think it is because Windows has many subsystems, it's just that you don't hear about most of them aside from WSL.

So it is referring to the particular Windows Subsystem (of which there are many) that can run or emulate Linux.

[–] Matriks404@lemmy.world 3 points 8 hours ago

Wait, Windows still has POSIX subsystem or is it only listed for documentation reasons (it was there at least in old NT days)?

[–] Arthur 125 points 23 hours ago (3 children)

There's a trademark for Linux so Microsoft can't name a product starting with Linux.

https://xcancel.com/richturn_ms/status/1245481405947076610

[–] tuxiqae@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 15 hours ago

Still doesnt explain why it wasn't called Windows Linux Subsystem (WLS)

[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 103 points 23 hours ago (5 children)

So they can use Linux in the name, just not at the beginning? We're so stupid. Can they do Windows Subsystem for Coke? Or Windows Subsystem for McDonald's? Or Windows Subsystem for MacOs?

Good gravy.

[–] anzo@programming.dev 2 points 7 hours ago

Copyright is always stupid

[–] Redex68@lemmy.world 7 points 13 hours ago

I mean I guess it makes some sense. Linux Subsystem for Windows to the uninitiated might sound like it "comes from the Linux brand", whilst Windows Subsystem for Linux sounds more like its made by Windows.

[–] Hadriscus@lemm.ee 51 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

I think trademark law has a strange history in the US

[–] boaratio@lemmy.world 14 points 22 hours ago

I'm sure it does, I was just being facetious.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 31 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

Sorry, "gravy" is a registered trademark of Gravy, Inc.: https://trademarks.justia.com/854/89/gravy-85489026.html

[–] psyvibe@lemm.ee 19 points 20 hours ago* (last edited 20 hours ago) (2 children)

I think this only applies to using the word “gravy” for payment services or a website referring to such a payment service. There was a prior trademark on the word for use with plush toy products.

[–] raltoid@lemmy.world 9 points 16 hours ago

Indeed, it's why Apple could be trademarked as the name of an electronics company. But you can't rock up to the trademark office and register "Pear" for a company selling pear-related products.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 4 points 19 hours ago

Yes, there are a bunch of trademarks on the word "gravy", in different industries. I was going to link to that one you mentioned, because for some reason despite being plush toy products, the company holding it was Bob Evans. But it's since been canceled, and the company name doesn't appear on the page, so I chose an active trademark instead.

[–] lando55@lemmy.world 12 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Disney presents Good Gravy®️

[–] addison@programming.dev 2 points 11 hours ago

Good Gravy®️ Presentation for Disney

[–] gradual@lemmings.world -4 points 21 hours ago

Not in the spirit of free software, if you ask me.

[–] simple@lemm.ee 43 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago)

I got hung up on this before too but it's apparently "Windows Subsystem for (using) Linux"

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 13 points 21 hours ago

Maybe they just named it like the previous attempt: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Services_for_UNIX