Technocrat

Microsoft and Apache

Bruce Perens
Fri Jul 25 18:48:00 -0700 2008
Open+Source+Software.
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So, Microsoft today has signed on as a $100K per year platinum sponsor of the Apache project. Apparently they've improved their "patent promise" so that it is no longer non-profit only and includes GPL programs. And some more of their patents will be covered by the promise.

It all sounds good. But Apache is no threat to Microsoft, their projects run on Microsoft systems and their license doesn't prevent "embrace and enhance". Linux, GNU, OpenOffice, those are more of a threat. This is, obviously, a strategic move by Microsoft. I'm trying to convince myself that we didn't "get owned". - Bruce

Nevile ChamberlainRemember Nevile Chamberlain?


Microsoft and Apache
GuyFawkes
Sat Jul 26 04:13:24 -0700 2008
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MS is a Corporation, they may not have pwned you yet, but in american parlance they have been invited in and are sitting around with their feet under the parlor table.

They aren't there to play Mr & Mrs

Microsoft and Apache
Simon Arthur
Sat Jul 26 07:35:10 -0700 2008
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sitting around with their feet under the parlor table

I don't think that Americans use the expression "parlor table". At least, I've never heard it.

Anyway, if MS is backing one open source group, even as a hedge against another group, it's still a win for open source.

Microsoft and Apache
disco
Sat Jul 26 07:52:37 -0700 2008
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I think the "strategic move" you refer to is Microsoft is trying to rebuild burnt bridges. It's PR. Yes, Apache is no threat, and this is why they were chosen. IIS doesn't make Microsoft anything, and I don't see any of Apache's gazillion other projects encoaching on Microsoft. What Apache does have is developer mind-share. You want a Java library not part of the language, the first place you get it is from Apache. Microsoft is demonized on the tech-centric websites (Slashdot, ... etc) all of which pushes would-be developers away from them. Bad for Microsoft. Ballmer is right when he says "developers, developers, developers, developers, developers, developers, developers". This is MS image building, not Apache ownership.

Chamberlain letting Hitler take Czechoslavakia is a poor analogy. It's equivalent to Microsoft taking Tomcat and Apache doing nothing. I don't think anyone would complain if Hitler handed a bunch of cash to Britain (prior to any known holocaust or war between the nations).

Microsoft and Apache
William Boyle
Sat Jul 26 10:19:36 -0700 2008
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If you drink from the poisoned well, you can expect to either die, or be held hostage for the antidote...

 

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