Microsoft is on par with Linux and BSD machines. Until you are reading all the source code, there's no point in switching to Linux or BSD if you're already using Microsoft. Microsoft has the best and robust tools for the job.
I don't think so. Given how many types of customer's microsoft serves, I think it's a good move. Many of microsoft customer are old sensitive business of banking, healthcare which have tons of regulation and being able to use Azure in their own data center is a really help them modernize their software stack.
I think to be able to apply for scholarship you need to be member of one of the listed STEM organizations. All of the listed STEM organizations seems to be only for women, black and hispanic. What about normal people from normal school?