Microsoft's ill-chosen magic constants

[mjg59]

Paolo Bonzini noticed something a little awkward in the Linux kernel support code for Microsoft's HyperV virtualisation environment - specifically, that the magic constant passed through to the hypervisor was "0xB16B00B5", or, in English, "BIG BOOBS". It turns out that this isn't an exception - when the code was originally submitted it also contained "0x0B00B135". That one got removed when the Xen support code was ripped out.

At the most basic level it's just straightforward childish humour, and the use of vaguely-English strings in magic hex constants is hardly uncommon. But it's also specifically male childish humour. Puerile sniggering at breasts contributes to the continuing impression that software development is a boys club where girls aren't welcome. It's especially irritating in this case because Azure may depend on this constant, so changing it will break things.

So, full marks, Microsoft. You've managed to make the kernel more offensive to half the population and you've made it awkward for us to rectify it.

Comments

Re: get real

[https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn5NzO3VSYQkvHPMbC57xti-uxN2krA1-A]

The problem is less that of software development culture, where jokes, expletives and other cussing is commonplace (especially in Microsoft's code), regardless of sex; it's more that of people being way too oversensitive to non-existent potential issues.

This is not sexist, this joke is not sexist. So what if it gives the impression that the code is written by men? If some people don't want to contribute because the code may 'look masculine', then they are the sexist individuals and should be reprimanded for being such.

We don't need radical feminism screwing up people's free-time hobbies as well as the already screwed up work environments most people suffer. If someone wants to put a small joke in their code, they can and should be allowed to provided it doesn't cause problems from a technical standpoint.

As some have noted here, the number should be randomly negotiated rather than a fixed value, that should be what is commented on, not some non-existent sexism....

Re: get real

[maco]

Oh look, the "you smelt it, you dealt it" fallacy of sexism again. Yawn.

It's not that the code looks masculine. It's that the code looks like it was written by someone who will SEXUALLY HARASS YOU if you try to join the project. Would you join a project where it's obvious you will be sexually harassed? I wouldn't!

Re: get real

[https://www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawn5NzO3VSYQkvHPMbC57xti-uxN2krA1-A]

(First of all, you're probably one of the most positive and forward-thinking geek feminists I've encountered and you get full ++ for your input)

[quote] It's not that the code looks masculine. It's that the code looks like it was written by someone who will SEXUALLY HARASS YOU if you try to join the project. Would you join a project where it's obvious you will be sexually harassed? I wouldn't! [/quote]

I wouldn't want to be sexually harassed either, I totally agree with not wanting to be sexually harassed.

However, does a person making a boob joke really make that person look like someone who will sexually harass you? It's likely you know quite a few people who have made boob jokes who have never sexually harassed people. Yes, some people are sexually harassed by very nasty people and for those who have experienced that, potentially inappropriate jokes may be a bit offputting.

But, why should a few nasty people who intentionally cause distress ruin the fun for everyone? After all, if it wasn't for the few people who cause people serious discomfort and distress, this joke would be criticised purely on technical grounds, rather than on political ones.

[quote] Oh look, the "you smelt it, you dealt it" fallacy of sexism again. Yawn. [/quote]

If "big boobs" as a hexadecimal number is actually sexist, that statement would be appropriate. It doesn't discriminate based on sex, however, so it doesn't appear to meet the criteria for being sexist. If you can show how that alone is actually sexist, then I may stand corrected here.

What I will say is that it is childish, it is moronic, it is stupid and if it wasn't for the fact it's apparently a hard-coded part of the management stack it would be totally pointless too. The developer should be reprimanded for his misdemeanor but he should also have a cheeky grin on his face while facing the sharp tongue of his boss... for life is pretty boring without the odd bit of controversy.

-- WarOfTheNerd

Re: get real

[maco]

You never really know for sure who is going to sexually harass you, but you can look for clues. If someone doesn't know where the line between "appropriate" and "inappropriate" is, that's a clue they may also be unaware of where the line between "inappropriate" and "harassing" is. It's a sign they just aren't good with boundaries.

Re: get real

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry but you don't get to dictate our every word and action just because you might be offended.