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Microsoft Shared Source -- With a Twist
chill writes "Microsoft is now willing to share all the source code to WinCE that they don't license from others. This includes the rights to alter the code and sell the altered code! Of course, they want copies of the changes, but the program is FREE." There's another story at Windowsfordevices.com.
I can't find anything on Microsoft's site about this. Is this change that new or are they planning on keeping it to a select few companies?
That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
http://theregister.co.uk/content/4/30186.html
Pocket PC manufacturers will now be able to tailor their system software to better differentiate their products, after Microsoft today said it would allow Windows CE licensees access to the OS' source code.
There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
[Updated 10:10 pm PDT] -- Microsoft Corp. "dropped the other shoe" today, as it were, announcing the first source code sharing program for its Windows CE embedded operating system (OS) that allows developers and manufacturers to actually redistribute modified OS code in real products. Previously, the commercial use of Windows CE source code was essentially restricted to technical support purposes only, in that developers could use the code to solve problems and understand how to work within the capabilities of the OS, but were not permitted to employ modified Windows CE code to fix bugs, add functions, or tune the OS to tight resource constraints. Under the terms of a new "premium" shared source license, Microsoft will now allow silicon vendors and systems integrators "full access" to Windows CE source code, including rights to redistribute modified code within commercial products. This capability is generally considered critical among developers of embedded systems and devices, either to tune the systems to their unique requirements, or to differentiate their products. In Microsoft's own words: "Shared Source Premium code empowers licensees to optimize and differentiate software and hardware for Windows CE."
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Additionally, "CEP also includes a customer feedback program, which enables customer collaboration and community contribution to ongoing improvements to Windows CE products," Microsoft said.
"This is the first time that Microsoft has allowed derivative works to be produced from one of our operating system platform products," noted Craig Mundie, Microsoft senior vice president and chief technical officer of Advanced Strategies and Policy, in a conference call tonight. Customers doing so will still able to take advantage of the "Windows CE" brand, he added.
Mundie also said there is no extra cost for the "Premium" shared source program. Currently, there is no decision to open up XP Embedded source code, Mundie added.
This is the first time that the "complete body of Windows CE source code" has been made available, Mundie added. In answer to WindowsForDevices.com's question, "What percentage of CE source code is available?", Mundie replied "as close to 100% as we can make it -- we can't release sources that belong to other companies." Most operating systems contain code licensed from other sources.
Mundie said customer modifications per the new license must be sublicensed back to Microsoft -- without royalty -- so that Microsoft has rights to incorporate the changes into its products if it so chooses. However, Mundie added, companies can request a 6-month delay before Microsoft can release a version of Windows CE that contains the customer-contributed code, allowing the customer to have a "leg up on the competition."
To provide added perspective on this extremely significant announcement from Microsoft, WindowsForDevices.com brings you this Special Report, which includes Microsoft's full announcement of the new CEP Shared Source program along with a roundup of some of the more interesting news items and articles from around the web that relate to this announcement. Additional links will be added as they come to our attention, so check back here for the latest.
Press release: Microsoft Announces First Windows CE Shared Source Program to Allow Commercial Distribution of Modified Source Code -- "Microsoft Corp. today announced the latest addition to its Shared Source Initiative, the Windows CE Shared Source Premium Licensing Program (CEP), . . . the first Windows CE program under the Shared Source Initiative to allow [manufacturers], silicon vendors, and systems integrators full access to Windows CE source code. All licensees will be able to modify the code, and OEMs now can commercially distribute those modifications in Windows CE-based devices . .
CNET: Windows CE plan draws criticism -- This article highlights reactions to Microsoft's an
The end of his sentence is implied or inferred from his previous sentence.
"The fact it's too big and bug ridden is [what stops many companis using WinCE]."
The story seems to be a little inaccurate - MS don't appear to be allowing you to sell on modified versions at all. The details from the license are:
- The right to use the Windows CE source code for any noncommercial (educational, research-related, or developmental) purpose, including distribution of derivatives of the software. Running your business operations would be considered commercial.
- The right to use the Windows CE source code for commercial purposes solely to assist in developing and testing the licensee's own software and hardware for the Windows CE platform. The user may not distribute the software in source or object form for commercial purposes under any circumstances.
You can read this for yourself here.
Doesn't seem such a dramatic shift to the existing SSI to me - or am I missing something?
Windows CE is not big nor bug ridden. Windows CE 3.0 is about 1 MB for the kernel and support DLLs (that include memory routines and GUI routines). Maybe you are talking about the Pocket PC platform, but the largest component there is Pocket Excel coming in at 672 kb. But, Pocket PC is just a platform that runs on top of Windows CE. Windows CE is just a kernel and some support DLLs.
As this cuts out the main revenue from WinCE, I can only see them doing this as a spoiling tactic.
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about and seem to be trying to disseminate FUD. You cannot redistribute the source code and all changes have to be reported to Microsoft. Also, Microsoft makes money off of licensing Pocket PC and SmartPhone, and doesn't make as much off of Windows CE itself.
Windows CE was released under Shared Source to aid developers and nothing more. It already comes with the Platform Developer kit that Microsoft has been using since Windows CE 1.0. However the kit requires licensing and is geared for OEMs producing new devices.
I use multiple Pocket PC and Windows CE devices and have never had a crash on any of them yet. They don't blue screen either for your information.
Forking is not allowed. Read carefully.
Now granted, open source and free software have different conotations, but free software is not meant to benefit the developer. It is meant to benefit the end user.
This program is obviously meant to benefit the developer, and only the developer. From the article (which is, admittedly, very low-tech), it seems end-users aren't going to have access to the source code. Only device manufacturers and those licensed to sell copies of WinCE. Now, they can alter the code before they sell it, but those alterations must be given back to Microsoft for free.
In fact it was this same clause, that all modifications must be submitted back to the main developer, that were sticklers for free software, and possibly open source software, advocates in the APSL, MPL and other corporate tries at open source licenses.
The real stickler though, is that the one who modifies the code, does not have unrestricted license to distribute their version of WinCE. They must pay Microsoft the same royalty for each copy sold. So, Microsoft makes WinCE look a little more enticing to developers who may want to make changes, gets any modifications for free, and doesn't lose anything on licenses of WinCE...seems like a pretty sweet deal--for Microsoft.
No freedom here folks. Move along. There's nothing left to see.
"Windows CE is not big nor bug ridden."
It's not necessarily large considering what it does, but it makes very little attempt at being compact. And your wrong to "Bug ridden" is somewhat a subjective phrase.. perhaps not as bug ridden as a desktop version of Windows, but it's only about 1/200th the size. There are still quite a few unresolved issues with WinCE. You've probably heard of some of the havoc Win CE is causing BMW's equipped with it right now.
"Windows CE is just a kernel and some support DLLs."
No, Windows CE is a full operating system, and not intended solely for palm computing or embedded applications. Pocket PC is just a derivative of said operating system for use specifically on certain PDA's, such as the IPAQ. It comes with plty of "useful" user land tools.
"I use multiple Pocket PC and Windows CE devices and have never had a crash on any of them yet."
I find this hard to beleive, although I suppose you may not do much with them. Every PDA I have (And I write software for PDA's, so I have a ton) has crashed on me regardless of platform or operating system. Even my faithful Zaurus has suffered an "Electronic brain fart". For many people, "blue screen" is a generic term for a Windows crash, regardless of the output or effect.
Windows CE does crash, and for me it seems to do so often.
It's times like this that make me actually want to get a username on slashdot.
The user may not distribute the software in source or object form for commercial purposes under any circumstances.
in the boolean sense "or" means that if either condition is satisfied, then what follows applies. so object code:
Object code is the result of a program taking source code and running it through a compiler or assembler. This creates the object code which can then be linked together in such a way that the computer can understand it. Executables are created in such a way. Both are platform/processor dependend. A Mac could not understand the object code created for Linux, just as DOS could not understand the object code created for an Amiga, unless an emulator was used.
would include executables and thus you would not be allowed to distribute object code under this license.
-- john
Right now - all I know is that you need a smart card to log into Microsoft to see the code - they intend on maintaining the code and keeping it at Microsoft.
;)
Here's a video by microsoft describing it.
I could be wrong - all I'm asking is for more info
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