Why I Dislike @Microsoft and Use #Ubuntu instead

Scenario: Windows 10 on a HP tablet consistently stops on a routine Windows Update around 80%. Multiple reboots.  No resolution. I turn to the Microsoft Support Forum, find no answer. Click on the Online Chat with Support.

After one sentence describing the issue, I only get this as a solution:

Rose....

‎2‎:‎29‎:‎56‎ ‎PM

Okay, I suggest you to contact a local technician for the further assistance with this issue. Hello, I am the local technician (Microsoft Certified Professional).  What kind of answer is that?  Back to the laptop with Ubuntu Linux.  Thanks anyway.

Minecraft is now part of Microsoft

News flash: Mojang, parent company of Minecraft, has been sold to Microsoft for $2.5 billion.  Take a deep breath. Yes, it's official.

Not completely sure how I feel about this. Even though I've made a living in IT using and managing Micro$oft products, they're still the necessary evil. Now something as cool, open and free as Minecraft is part of that evil empire.

Links to the announcement and related posts:

Mojang.com - Yes, we're being bought by Microsoft

Notch.net - I'm leaving Mojang

Microsoft Backpedals

In the aftermath of the NSA scandal, several large IT companies are trying to minimize the consumer backlash, so it seems.  In this article about Microsoft's latest attempts to tighten security, they ramp up encryption of popular services.

As quoted from this blog: "Our goal is to provide even greater protection for data across all the great Microsoft services you use and depend on every day." Signs of Microsoft addressing customer issues, perhaps?

Even back in December, 2013 Microsoft began the damage control on the official TechNet blog - "Many of our customers have serious concerns about government surveillance of the Internet. We share their concerns."

Is this Microsoft "doing the right thing" or damage control?

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Helps if I could spell "backpedals" correctly too!