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Microsoft: the 32-bit API for the Windows operating system is called "win32"

the GNU project: Careful, this is Microsoft trying to make you think that using Windows is a "win" for users. But we will not fall for such psychological tricks!1 Instead, we shall refer to it as "woe32"2, to make it clear that such a proprietary system is a source of woes. Take that, Micro$oft!

Microsoft: here is our new embedded operating system, Windows CE - but you can simply call it "wince"

the GNU project:


  1. You may think I'm exaggerating for comedic effect, but this is in fact the official position and explanation given by the GNU project. (Well, at least it's the position of GNU gettext developer Bruno Haible - perhaps not an official stance of the entire GNU project. But considering that it's published on an official GNU documentation page and not a personal website, I assume the GNU project at least implicitly supports this position.)

  2. I remember reading an explanation that "woe" is supposed to stand for "Windows Operating Environment", but I can't find it anymore. Apparently it's not on the GNU website.


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