Microsoft and Open Source: An Oxymoron?
September 12, 2009
Gavin Clark’s “Microsoft Throws $1 Million Open Source Party” triggered the mice in the back of my head to run in circles. Mr. Clark does a good job of pointing out how IBM used open source to jab Sun Microsystems in the liver. He also runs down some of the issues regarding Microsoft’s push into open source. I downloaded the story and tucked it in my open source file. I think this is a turning point for open source. With Google and Microsoft jumping on the bandwagon and hooking amplifiers to the open source song, life is going to become – well, let me speak candidly – just like life today. The name of the game is selling services, consulting, and engineering. The software license fees are not where the annuities lurk. Mr. Clark said:
Microsoft, meanwhile, has a notoriously rocky relationship with open source. Sections of the organization have tried to repair the damage, but Microsoft has only ever engaged tactically with open source and never joined an independent or accepted open source organizations.
I agree, but I think Microsoft will define open source its own way. With its marketing clout and legions of fawning partners, open source has to get off the mat and go another round. See that smirk on Microsoft’s open source face? Open source did not put a glove on Microsoft in round one. Bing. There goes the bell.
Now race to read Sam Gustin’s “Microsoft: Yep, We Teach Best Buy to Trash Linux“. That’s a nice touch if true.
Stephen Arnold, September 12, 2009
Microsoft: Yep, we teach Best Buy to trash Linux
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