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Corel-Microsoft Deal Means Potential .NET for Linux

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pretty-crazy-stuff dept.

Thanks to Scott McNeil for pointing out that in the SEC filing concerning the recent Microsoft investment in Corel that it grants Microsoft the /option/ for the next three years to have Corel port the .NET framework or portions by assigning at least 20 full time developers and 10 full time testers - or the equivalent thereof. Now, it is an option, but that's interesting that it's in there. It's Point 3 of the section I linked to.

2 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. They HAVE to Port .NET by GroundBounce · · Score: 5

    .NET, like Java, is an attempt to provide an appliation framework for the internet. With only 30%-40% or so of internet servers running on Microsoft platforms, they have to port the server side of .NET or it will die on the vine. (Unless, of course, they are arrogant enough to think that the mere existance of .NET will instantly bring them to 100% server market share.)

    On the client side, it is also to their advantage to port it because this will give them credibility in competetion with Java. The fact that they will be releasing the C# language specification to an open standards body unfortunately already gives them a head start on the credibility. Client side support for other platforms also means they can extend their Office monopoly onto other platforms without having to port it more than once (to .NET).

    Despite all this, however, you can likely count on the Windows implementations being much more optimized, at least at first, and they will use this as leverage to try to increase there presence on the server side, where it currently lags more.

  2. Oh dear Lord by JohnZed · · Score: 5

    .NET is a more complicated framework than the JVM and the Java platform libraries put together. It needs and extremely efficient virtual machine (which, on Windows, comes from the group that developed Microsoft's very quick Java runtime) and just-in-time compilers in addition to massive support from system libraries on Win32. The VM, especially, is an incredibly tough piece of software to build well. Sun has spent five years optimizing their Solaris JVM, and they did so with the help of their whole research arm (including the guys who developed Self, the most advanced OO runtime to precede Java), their traditional OS and compilers groups, and several acquisitions. But people still complain about that JVM's performance and stability.
    Does Corel have any experience in developing compilers, VMs, or systems libraries? This is a far more complex problem than making slight additions to the WINE project that had already been in progress for years before Corel came along. If Corel takes a lead role in the production of Linux.NET (which, luckily, I think is already trademarked by someone else), the results will be a farce, especially since so many of their best developers jumped ship during their incredibly-prolonged financial troubles.
    I'd much rather see people like Borland, Tower Technologies, Appeal Virtual Machines, and SGI, who have the necessary skills and resources, take the initiative. But I guess there's not a lot of reason to make sure Linux has a GOOD implementation of .NET if you're in Microsoft's shoes, is there?
    --JRZ