05.29.08
Microsoft is Stealing… Open Source
Merry men escape interiors of giant wooden horse
The title isn’t intended to cause great alarm, but it’s an ongoing process that we track of. Earlier on we wrote about a dungeon called "Fort 25", where GNU/Linux-only programs get tortured or tamed (ported to Windows).
Here are some of the latest findings which cover Microsoft’s erotic escapades inside its number-one rival’s territories. Remember Bill Gates’ motto? Keep your enemies closer. In this scenario, it seems more like a case of “keep your enemies assimilated.” (to Microsoft of course).
Watch and learn.
Microsoft’s deceptive advertising, again.
Does Microsoft think we the Linux and Open Source user base are just a bunch of morons? In the latest advertising campaign of the closed sourced software giant that’s exactly what they are hoping for. Go ahead and check out for yourself. At http://www.microsoft.com/opensource they try to make it look like they are all for Open source software. They even have what they call the Hero Pack, fill out a form and they will send you a pack of “open source” tools that will help you become an “Open Source Hero”. What a giant load of crap how does “evaluation copies” of server 2008 and Visual Studio rank as open source software. They are so cheap it’s not even full versions (like I’d use it if it was).
You must also remember: "Open Source Heroes Are Silverlight"
“Microsoft gains influence deep inside its rivals’ turf, even in the OSI.”Let’s backtrack a little. Speaking of Microsoft sponsoring SourceForge awards and boasting its wares (Visual Studio) in the process, watch which application has just been elected project of the month at SourceForge? That’s right, it’s an establishment managed by former Microsoft employees. This little nugget of information made the project a tad notorious in some circles. Remember Black Duck, which is also headed by a former Microsoft employee?
Are all of these observations merely coincidences? Probably. But let this teach you how Microsoft ‘extends’ into SourceForge et al, using sponsorship that later have fear-inspiring awards up for grabs. We covered these issues before. Microsoft gains influence deep inside its rivals’ turf, even in the OSI.
There are some other examples. Asay and Rosenberg, for instance, left InfoWorld and put it in the hands of Microsoft's Open Source 'Heroes' and some bloggers. Have they sort of conquered InfoWorld’s only open source blog (”Open Sources”)? Not quite, but it doesn’t look all that encouraging, either. █
“The Free Software movement is dead. Linux doesn’t exist in 2007.”
–Bill Hilf (Microsoft's 'Linux Guy'), May 2007
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.