Omarchy Linux creator, father of 3, calls Microsoft 'microslop'
Omarchy Linux creator Chris Power shared a post calling Microsoft 'microslop'. We explain what Omarchy is and why that term is used.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Chris Power, creator of the Omarchy Linux distribution and father of three, has shared a post on X that refers to Microsoft with the derogatory term 'microslop'. The gesture fits into the rivalry between free software and the business model of big tech companies.
## Who is Chris Power and what is Omarchy Linux
**Chris Power** is the creator of **Omarchy Linux**, a distribution based on **Arch Linux** that has gained popularity among those looking for a preconfigured, fully functional desktop environment right from the first boot. Unlike other distributions that require manual installation and configuration, Omarchy offers a ready-to-use experience on top of Arch.
Power balances his work on the project with his family life: he is the **father of three children**, a fact he has mentioned more than once to debunk the idea that free software is only built by young people without responsibilities. His profile matches that of an independent developer maintaining a demanding project without the backing of a large company.
## The term 'microslop' and its context
The post shared by Power uses the term **'microslop'** to refer to **Microsoft**. 'Slop' is an English word for low-quality food or, by extension, any cheap, poorly made product. The wordplay replaces the second syllable of 'Microsoft' with that term.
It is not an isolated criticism. In recent years, part of the free software community has voiced its rejection of practices such as telemetry built into Windows, advertising inside the operating system, or the push toward cloud services. The term condenses that frustration into a single word.
## Why this gesture matters
When a well-known figure in the **Arch Linux** ecosystem amplifies that message, it carries weight. This is not an anonymous user on a forum: it is someone whose project directly competes for the attention of those looking for alternatives to Windows. His endorsement of that language gives visibility to a criticism that has been circulating for some time.
The episode also reflects a broader tension. While Microsoft integrates Linux into its cloud and collaborates with open source projects, part of the community still sees the company as a hostile actor. That contradiction is not easily resolved, and gestures like Power's keep it alive.
## Who is Chris Power and what is Omarchy Linux
**Chris Power** is the creator of **Omarchy Linux**, a distribution based on **Arch Linux** that has gained popularity among those looking for a preconfigured, fully functional desktop environment right from the first boot. Unlike other distributions that require manual installation and configuration, Omarchy offers a ready-to-use experience on top of Arch.
Power balances his work on the project with his family life: he is the **father of three children**, a fact he has mentioned more than once to debunk the idea that free software is only built by young people without responsibilities. His profile matches that of an independent developer maintaining a demanding project without the backing of a large company.
## The term 'microslop' and its context
The post shared by Power uses the term **'microslop'** to refer to **Microsoft**. 'Slop' is an English word for low-quality food or, by extension, any cheap, poorly made product. The wordplay replaces the second syllable of 'Microsoft' with that term.
It is not an isolated criticism. In recent years, part of the free software community has voiced its rejection of practices such as telemetry built into Windows, advertising inside the operating system, or the push toward cloud services. The term condenses that frustration into a single word.
## Why this gesture matters
When a well-known figure in the **Arch Linux** ecosystem amplifies that message, it carries weight. This is not an anonymous user on a forum: it is someone whose project directly competes for the attention of those looking for alternatives to Windows. His endorsement of that language gives visibility to a criticism that has been circulating for some time.
The episode also reflects a broader tension. While Microsoft integrates Linux into its cloud and collaborates with open source projects, part of the community still sees the company as a hostile actor. That contradiction is not easily resolved, and gestures like Power's keep it alive.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (4 replies).
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