Aside from the strong contingency Khronos Group carries, Vulkan's cross-platform support is in part due to its very good codebase, which enables easier integration.
Sure. Microsoft was also a member of Khronos 15–20 years ago, when (according to an acquaintance who used to work for a GPU vendor) they did every underhanded thing they could to disrupt the OpenGL spec / committee, while simultaneously working on their end to make sure it wouldn’t be a competitive way to develop Windows software.
Being a member (by itself) doesn’t mean anything. Without talking to anyone involved or knowing additional context, it’s impossible to know whether the companies on the committee are productive collaborators, passive onlookers, or active opponents of Vulkan.
>Sure. Microsoft was also a member of Khronos 15–20 years ago, when (according to an acquaintance who used to work for a GPU vendor) they did every underhanded thing they could to disrupt the OpenGL spec / committee, while simultaneously working on their end to make sure it wouldn’t be a competitive way to develop Windows software.
You're talking about the pre-Khronos OpenGL Fahrenheit deal, which is largely public knowledge. Microsoft announced a joint project with SGI to support OpenGL on Windows, then put all their resources into DirectX while SGI spent two years building their section. The only unprovable part is that this was their goal all along, but the leaked combat plan against free software at the same time leaves little doubt.
You’re right this was mostly pre-Khronos. Apologies, I’m not an expert in the history of OpenGL. But I believe he was also talking about the period after the Fahrenheit deal, in maybe 2000–2005. He talked about MS sending people to OpenGL committee meetings and intentionally trying to gum up the process and prevent interoperability. I don’t really know the details, and this is all second-hand and poorly remembered from a conversation a decade ago. So take it with some salt.
They quit the OpenGL board in 2003, and though I don't doubt they continued to be antagonistic between 99 and then I can't see their voice pulling that much weight after Fahrenheit.
Not trying to be rude, I'm sure your friend knew far more at the time than I ever have. Just seems better to base this on provable events so people don't see "my connected friend said..." and write it off as a conspiracy. Microsoft is trying to act as an ally to free software again, and people seem far too trusting of their motives.
Vulkan is owned by Khronos. Every single company you mention is a member of the Khronos group: https://www.khronos.org/members/list
Aside from the strong contingency Khronos Group carries, Vulkan's cross-platform support is in part due to its very good codebase, which enables easier integration.