10.06.07
Hey, .NET! Leave That Phone Alone.
Another brick in the wall[et]
Since Apple has been ‘bricking’ phones for ‘daring’ to open up a bit, the debate about the openness of telephones is getting a great deal of attention. Many argue that mobile devices are the future. Essentially, they are becoming the new personal computers. The sad state of openness of phones has brought life and attraction to a project called OpenMoko, among a few other similar projects and products. Here is a video that hypes up the impending release of OpenMoko
It is discouraging to find that Mono — the very same curse that can stifle freedom and openness — is making its first baby steps towards OpenMoko.
Parts of the Mono Project, the open source implementation of Microsoft’s .NET, have been made available for the OpenMoko Neo1973 phone. OpenMoko is a GNU Linux-based mobile phone platform alternative to the traditional approach of systems locked down by either the phone company or the handset manufacturer.
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.