09.21.07
Open Source Initiative, Like Neelie Kroes, Says “Non” to Microsoft
Not so long ago, Eric Raymond said: “I find I’m almost ready to recommend that OSI tell Microsoft to ram its licenses up one of its own orifices, even if they are technically OSD compliant. Because what good is it to conform to the letter of OSD if you’re raping its spirit?”
For more background on this and in order to understand the relationship with the Novell deal, start here and follow the hyperlinks. The latest news on this issue is very encouraging. The OSI has just rejected Microsoft’s licences in their current form. This keeps the Trojan horse away, for now.
…the two primary criticisms of the MPL are valid, Tiemann said.
These are clearly some hard days for Microsoft.
Things are not going well for the colossus of Redmond.
Europe, OOXML, SCO, Vista failures, China boss departs, and now OSI…
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
vexorian@gmail.com said,
September 21, 2007 at 1:17 pm
This was a dangerous topic since it got to threats:
- OSI approved MS and then MS destroys open source by making even their totally anti knowledge sharing licenses get called open source.
- OSI doesn’t approve MS and then they can complaint about how they all are anti choice , anti bussiness and anti MS and blah blah .
I must say that we did dash a bullet now threat #1 was way bigger but MS has now acquired some FUD fuel.
Roy Schestowitz said,
September 21, 2007 at 1:40 pm
If you watch ESR’s reasoning, he used Microsoft’s very recent corruptions (OOXML) to defend his view that Microsoft has not changed its ways. Many people will strongly support OSI’s decision, Google include (recall the remarks from Chris DiBona).