Today, we reflect on the profound influence of Bram Moolenaar, whose creation, Vim, has left an indelible mark on the programming community. We will also look at Linux's rise on Steam taking over MacOS, and Samsung's ambitious plans in the AR/VR space.

- Forrest Knight & Meghanadh Vasireddy

Commemorating Bram Moolenaar: The Impact of Vim on the Programming Community

Bram Moolenaar, the creator of Vim, passed away on August 3, 2023. Born in 1961 in Lisse, Netherlands, Moolenaar was a Dutch software engineer and an active member of the open-source software community. He was the original author, maintainer, and benevolent dictator for life of Vim, a vi-derivative text editor that has become very popular among programmers and power users.

Vim, a contraction of Vi IMproved, was first released to the public on November 2, 1991. Based on the vi editor common to Unix-like systems, Vim was designed for use both from a command-line interface and as a standalone application in a graphical user interface. Over the years, Vim has grown constantly, adding features such as multiple windows, a graphical user interface, and syntax highlighting.

Vim's Impact on the Programming Community:

1. Scalability: Vim can be used for simple tasks like editing configuration files or as a full-fledged development environment.

2. Efficiency: Vim allows users to navigate and edit files more efficiently, often without the need for a mouse.

3. Customizability: Vim supports numerous plugins and customizations, enabling users to tailor the editor to their specific needs.

4. Low memory footprint: Vim is a lightweight program that consumes minimal system resources.

Many developers have found that learning Vim has improved their overall programming efficiency. The text editor's keyboard-centric design allows users to make precise edits quickly, without the need to move their hands from the keyboard.

Bram Moolenaar's Legacy:

Bram Moolenaar's contributions to the programming community go beyond the creation of Vim. He has also developed other software tools, such as A-A-P, a software build tool similar to make, and Zimbu, a programming language that emphasizes readability. Moolenaar was a member of the Dutch Unix user group, NLUUG, which presented him with an award for his creation of Vim and his contributions to open-source software in general.

Moolenaar's dedication to Vim and the programming community is evident in his decision to make Vim "Charityware". Users are encouraged to make donations for needy children in Uganda, a cause Moolenaar has supported for many years.

As the programming community mourns the loss of Bram Moolenaar, his legacy lives on through Vim and the countless developers who continue to benefit from his contributions. Vim remains an essential tool for many programmers, and Moolenaar's impact on the programming community will not be forgotten.

Steam Deck Propels Linux to Surpass MacOS in Steam Gaming Market Share

The success of the Steam Deck has indeed contributed to Linux overtaking MacOS as the second-most used operating system on Steam. According to the latest Steam Hardware & Software Survey from July 2023, Linux now has a 1.96% share, surpassing MacOS at 1.84%. The Steam Deck, which runs on the Linux-based SteamOS, accounts for a significant 42% of reported Linux users on Steam. However, it's important to note that Windows still dominates the market with a 96.21% share.

The Steam Deck's impact on Linux gaming is evident, as many users have shared their experiences of moving to Linux and getting their games to work on the platform[. The increase in Linux users on Steam is also reflected in the growth of Linux's market share over time. The Steam Deck has not only boosted the popularity of Linux gaming but also encouraged developers to consider adding more support for the platform. Despite the growth in Linux's market share, it's still a small fraction compared to Windows.

Samsung Gears Up to Announce Vision Pro Rival

Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm are preparing to announce their next-generation AR/VR product, a rival to Apple's Vision Pro, following their strategic partnership. The official announcement is expected soon, as Samsung's president of mobile experience, TM Roh, confirmed that the plan for a new XR headset and ecosystem is on track.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• The partnership between Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm was first announced six months ago at Samsung's Unpacked event in February.

• Their goal is to create a platform similar to smartphones but for XR technology(mix of AR and VR).

• Apple's Vision Pro, a spatial computer, has set new rules in the AR/VR space with its futuristic technology.

• Samsung is reportedly reevaluating the specs for its upcoming Galaxy XR headset following the debut of the Apple Vision Pro.

• Samsung has decided to upgrade the Galaxy XR display to 3,000 PPI to keep up with the competition.

• Samsung's upcoming XR headset, developed in partnership with Qualcomm and Google, has been delayed by "one to two quarters" from its reported early 2024 release target due to the stiff competition from Apple Vision Pro.

However, they face challenges in realizing their XR ambitions, as collaborating and aligning different teams within large tech companies can be a complex process. Apple's journey with Vision Pro took seven years until it was ready to launch.

As the tech world awaits the official announcement of Samsung's Vision Pro rival, it will be interesting to see how the new XR headset and ecosystem will compete with Apple's Vision Pro in terms of: price, features, and software.

Say Your Goodbyes: Microsoft Begins the Cortana for Windows Shutdown

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its digital assistant app, Cortana, as the company shifts its focus towards modern AI advancements. Cortana was first introduced in 2014 as a key ingredient of Microsoft's planned "makeover" of future operating systems for Windows Phone and Windows. However, over the years, Microsoft has been gradually phasing Cortana out of the Windows experience.

The company has been prioritizing its ChatGPT-like Bing Chat and other AI-powered productivity features across Windows and its web browser, Edge. Starting in August 2023, Cortana will no longer be available as a standalone app on Windows. Microsoft sees Cortana as a stepping stone towards a new AI future, where users will rely on a smarter chatbot running GPT-4, powered by Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI. The company plans to integrate the new ChatGPT-based Bing experience directly into Windows 11.

During the transitional period, Cortana will still be available in Outlook mobile, Teams mobile, Microsoft Teams display, and Microsoft Teams rooms. However, these Cortana-powered experiences may also be phased out, as Microsoft intends to bring Bing Chat to the enterprise and integrate it with its productivity software, including Outlook and Teams.

Cortana's discontinuation on Windows doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Microsoft announced its new Windows Copilot tool during its Build conference in May. Windows Copilot will live in your taskbar and use AI to help you do everything — and more — that Cortana does once it's widely released, including summarizing content, rewriting text, asking questions, adjusting your computer's settings, and more.

Youtube Spotlight

Coding Bootcamp Lawsuit (Clever Programmer)

Jake from Devslopes discusses a lawsuit against the coding bootcamp 'Clever Programmer', which allegedly made false promises to students about securing jobs at top tech companies after a few months of training.

• A lawsuit was filed against the coding bootcamp 'Clever Programmer' for making deceptive claims.

• The bootcamp advertised through compelling videos on YouTube and social media, promising six-figure jobs with major tech companies.

• Students were led to believe they could secure positions at giants like Google and Apple after a few months of training.

• Many students ended up in debt, feeling they lacked the skills promised or the job opportunities that were assured.

• The program's fees ranged from $10,000 to $20,000, and many were encouraged to take loans to cover the costs.

More Notes

1. Elon Musk buys AI.com from OpenAI, just 4 months after ChatGPT creator acquired the domain for $11 million

2. India restricts laptop, PC imports to boost local manufacturing

3. Musk says his cage fight with Zuckerberg will be streamed on X

4. Google is offering an $99 on-campus hotel ‘special’ to help lure workers back to the office

5. New Google alert will tell you when you appear in search, help remove personal information

Was this forwarded to you? Sign Up Here