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

[denise]

Yeah, all the people saying "lighten up" need to read up more on micro-aggressions and how they contribute to an overall feeling of unwelcomeness for non-privileged people of all classes that do not belong to the dominant narrative of society.

Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight, Matt. I personally find it incredibly awesomely encouraging to have men speaking up about stuff like this as well.

[maco]

Denise, can we get an upvote/downvote system for comments on DW, with only registered users allowed to vote?

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, some of us are aware of this newspeak 1984 "privilege" crap. It's still bullshit. It's really just a disingenuous way for you to get the upperhand in any debates, and shut down all opposition to your gynocentric garbage. How about some macro-agression against entitled feminist pigs instead?

Your feelings are the problem. You are not entitled to policing what we say just because it offends you. PERIOD. END OF DEBATE.

[(Anonymous)]

You're not entitled to be an ass just because you are a white, adult, cisgender (etc.) man and less privileged people's existence and experiences offends you.
Easy: if you insult someone for no reason or treat them like shit or participate in treating them like shit, well there is free speech but you're still an asshole.
The one who seem to feel entitled (to be an asshole) is you.