Microsoft and the Open Source Muddle
August 1, 2009
SeattlePI published “Why Did Microsoft Really Release Open-Source Code?” Good question. The write up does not answer the question. I am forming the notion that open source is a mess, particularly when publicly traded companies, hungry start ups with and MBA on deck, and feisty math club members engage in the game, “Who violated the open source license?” The article presents both sides of a complicated problem. Commercial companies in the open source game are supposed to follow rules. Microsoft says it was acting for the community. The open source crowd thinks Microsoft was caught with its hand in the digital cookie jar. In my opinion, the “soft force” of open source will find itself trying to deal with the “hard force” of commercial enterprises. As the battle wages, companies trying to figure out how to control software costs look at the open source mud wrestling and realize that both sides in this squabble warrant watching closely.
Stephen Arnold, August 1, 2009
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