On Tuesday 10 December 2002 11:16, Esh, Andrew wrote: > Microsoft to offer Linux software? > > In a major strategy shift, Microsoft Corp. will introduce software based on > the Linux open source operating system in 2004 ... > > (Copyrighted article, or I'd post it. Here's a link: ) > > http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/biztech/12/10/meta.linux.reut/index.html
(fair-use quote) "Microsoft, which has grown into the world's largest software maker by selling proprietary software that cannot be copied or modified freely, said it is not opposed to open-source software [1], and points out that its source code is available to approved partners and educational institutions on a limited basis. "A recent Microsoft-sponsored study by researcher IDC concluded that servers based on Microsoft's Windows 2000 were cheaper to own and operate when used for networking, storing and sharing files, printing and security, while Linux servers were cheaper to operate when used for Web hosting." That Windows advantage, if it really exists at all, is precisely the kind of thing packages like Samba are eroding. Thank God, not to mention everyone helping to devlop it. Keep on keepin' on! What I suspect here is a classic Microsoft intent to embrace, extend and conquer/co-opt/censor. [1] Er...Craig Mundie at the San Diego Open-Source convention? Not to mention the anti-GPL-and-similar noises from some Congresscritters which sound a lot like they've been buttonholed by MS$ types?