EditorsAbout the SiteComes vs. MicrosoftUsing This Web SiteSite ArchivesCredibility IndexOOXMLOpenDocumentPatentsNovellNews DigestSite NewsRSS
Boycott Novell

08.20.08

Microsoft Tries Casting “Open Source” as “Open APIs”

Posted in Microsoft, Windows, GNU/Linux, Deception, IBM, FOSS at 6:30 am by Roy Schestowitz

“More Open Than Open […] I am constantly amazed at the flexibility of this single word.”

Microsoft’s Jason Matusow, integral part of the ‘Open’ XML corruptions (further background in [1, 2, 3])

Here we are moving from the “open-source compatible” meme to “(Open) APIs” as “open source”. Microsoft’s attempts to hijack and deform “open source” were mentioned many times before, e.g. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. It’s endless. The same goes for those verbal tricks in the Philippines — tricking developers into getting locked in with “open source” (the Microsoft way) [1, 2, 3].

IBM is accusing Microsoft of deception in the very same publication that previously deceived. A new article, “Microsoft not really following open-source model,” says:

Microsoft has been wanting to get cozy lately with open source developers but a top IBM executive warns that the world’s largest software maker is not ready to give up full control yet.

Michael O’Rourke, Asia Pacific vice president for IBM Rational, believes that while Microsoft said it would open up APIs (application programming interfaces) of its core products such as Windows and Microsoft Office, the company isn’t really “open sourcing” its software.

[…]

“Microsoft is not exactly telling developers that they own the platform,” he said. Microsoft of late has been touting its conciliatory stance with the open-source community.

Unfortunately, Microsoft relies on those who are naive enough not to realise that Microsoft sponsors (even creates) events like OSBC [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. What for? In order to replace Free software with a monster called “enterprise/commercial open source”, which it hopes will run only/better under Windows and will pay software patent tax, even where such patents are illegal.

If you liked this post, consider subscribing to the RSS feed or join us now at the IRC channel.

Pages that cross-reference this one

Listed from October 23rd 2007 onwards, pingbacks and trackbacks (external) are omitted

Leave a Comment

What Else is New


  1. US Army Becomes Zombies Army; London Hospitals Still Ill (Windows Viruses)

    Security issues that are staggering hit the Web, US military, hospitals



  2. Quick Mention: Novell is Helping Microsoft OOXML Again

    Microsoft's work with Novell bears fruit: ODF 'killer'



  3. “Twisted Ideological Crusade” and Other Excuses

    Known critic of Boycott Novell tries to justify choice of SUSE; GNU India responds to Boycott Novell protest



  4. Beware the Mono

    Another explanation of the Mono problem; Miguel de Icaza makes Windows software



  5. EU Commission re ACTA: STFU

    The European Commission comments about the ACTA whilst things continue to escalate



  6. IRC: #boycottnovell @ FreeNode: December 2nd, 2008 - Part 2

    IRC Log for December 2nd, 2008 - Part 2



  7. IRC: #boycottnovell @ FreeNode: December 2nd, 2008 - Part 1

    IRC Log for December 2nd, 2008 - Part 1



  8. Links 03/12/2008: GNU/Linux Called Better Than Vista; Nokia Linux Phones Rumoured

    Links for the day



  9. (Another) Microsoft-Commissioned 'Study' Inverses Truths

    Microsoft lies about gains in search, using Microsoft-commissioned pseudo-studies



  10. Microsoft's Own Servers Become Zombies, Spew Out SPAM

    Microsoft's search engine servers are reportedly being hijacked to send SPAM



  11. FOSDEM 2009: Sponsored by Microsoft Partner

    Novell is a prominent organiser/sponsor



  12. Patents Roundup: From Microsoft's Trolls to Obama Policies

    A summary of news about patents across the world (mostly software related)



  13. Links 01/12/2008: North South Wales for F/OSS or GNU/Linux, OpenMoko Expands

    Links for the day



  14. IRC: #boycottnovell @ FreeNode: December 1st, 2008 - Part 3

    IRC Log for December 1st, 2008 - Part 3



  15. IRC: #boycottnovell @ FreeNode: December 1st, 2008 - Part 2

    IRC Log for December 1st, 2008 - Part 2



  16. IRC: #boycottnovell @ FreeNode: December 1st, 2008 - Part 1

    IRC Log for December 1st, 2008 - Part 1



  17. Exploring the BECTA-Microsoft Relationship

    Boycott Novell takes a look at who runs BECTA and how BECTA's judgment is made



  18. A Gradual Fall of W|Intel... Thanks to OLPC?

    Intel is confronted with a problem that was introduced inevitably, amid rise of the OLPC



  19. Leaked: Microsoft Pays Companies to Recommend Windows

    Confidential documents were leaked to us and they show how Microsoft controls advertisements even in the channel



  20. Links 01/12/2008: FreeBSD 6.4 Released; City Moves to OpenOffice.org

    Links for the day



  21. IRC: #boycottnovell @ FreeNode: November 30th, 2008

    IRC Log for November 30th, 2008



  22. Antitrust Complaint About Microsoft, a So-called 'Pirate'

    Microsoft is reported to the EC for overcharging, media contains a lot of Microsoft-imposed daemonisation



  23. Boycott Novell Leaps

    3.2 million hits this month



  24. Microsoft's Forecast Suffers Fresh Blow, Online Problems Linger on

    Microsoft pressured by pessimistic analysts, profitability online remains a struggle



  25. On Lipstick, Pigs, and Windows

    Problems for Windows Mobile (ridicule of the idea of a Microsoft phone) and continued demise of Windows Vista



  26. Stuffing It Up, Microsoft Edition

    Microsoft sneaks its way into various consortia, events and press via familiar pressure groups and known 'loyals'



  27. Eye on Microsoft: Another Messy Week for Security

    Summary of large-scale, high-impact security issues in Windows



  28. Microsoft Hijacked Yahoo! from the Inside (Updated)

    Microsoft is stepping up to buy Yahoo!, but history must not be neglected



  29. Mono Critique Goes a Long Way Back

    Quick look back at criticism of Mono



  30. Links 30/11/2008: GNU/Linux Consistency; Netbook Summit Coming

    Links for the day


An invade, divide, and conquer Grand Plan

Novell CEO Ron HovsepianHighlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. Learn more

Xandros founderHighlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. Learn more

Linspire CEO Kevin CarmonyHighlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. Learn more

Hand with moneyHighlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. Learn more

Eric RaymondHighlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. Learn more

XenSource CEOAnalysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy. Learn more

More analysis >>

Recent Posts