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Microsoft Deploys Linux, Open Software in Test Lab

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the keeping-enemies-closer dept.

securitas writes "Microsoft has deployed Linux and other open-source software in test labs used by business customers to experiment with Microsoft's products. The products include Linux, Apache, MySQL and Open LDAP directory-access software on Intel-based computers, according to Martin Taylor, who is in charge of Microsoft's Linux competitive strategy. He said the goal was to learn 'what can you do and how can you do it' using open-source software in a competitive analysis. This step comes after Microsoft's recent admission that Linux is Microsoft's biggest threat after economic conditions. Mirrors at CMPnetAsia and InternetWeek." It'd be cool to see some patches come from Redmond, but that's probably wishful thinking.

9 of 595 comments (clear)

  1. Why do I get the feeling... by rekkanoryo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...that this will be a venue to generate more FUD as well as an attempt to get a competitive edge? Am I just paranoid or what?

  2. Old Chinese Tatic. by schwep · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Keep your enemy close to you so you can keep your eye(s) on it. A wise move by Microsoft.

  3. do you want me to believe... by civilengineer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    that they did not bother to look at it so far?

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  4. typical MS - aiming at the product by sentientbeing · · Score: 5, Insightful

    from the article: 'In an effort to better understand its main source of competition'

    IMO The problem with MS is they no longer understand the customer

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    1. Re:typical MS - aiming at the product by Xpilot · · Score: 5, Insightful

      IMO The problem with MS is they no longer understand the customer

      I think they understand the customer all too well. Remember, M$ does not target geeky hackers who love fiddling with command lines and compiling source. They market their stuff with propaganda such as "command lines are hard, look at this happy friendly colorful GUI, it'll make you productive even if you're incredibly stupid". You have no idea how much that affects the hearts and minds of people. Over here in the CS department, I've had former classmates who were fanatically loyal to M$, for no other reason than "it has a more colorful GUI" and "easy to use, just clickety click and everything is magically done!". And these are computer science students. Think of how much influence M$ has on PHB's and decision makers.

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  5. Not That Weird by KrispyKringle · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The point, presumably, is to "know your enemy." MS are merely researching how their competition can be used in business to figure out its strengths and weaknesses, and how to compete with it.

    The suggestions that this is an attempt to create FUD seem a bit off the mark to me. I'm sure MS aren't going to be touting the benefits of Linux, but in a closed environment they have far more to gain from honest testing and competition than they do from convincing a very small number of customers, presumably devoted ones, that Linux sucks.

    Were they do do that, they'd just end up looking like fools. And while marketing may help in the desktop market, those who spend large amounts of corporate money on enterprise software research it thoroughly. MS won't beat Linux in the server market just by marketing, no matter how much they spend. They know that, and have clearly decided to take Linux seriously as a competitor.

  6. Re:MIcrosoft Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Seriously, though, if M$ thought they could profit from Linux they'd be using it in their products already and biting the GPL bullet

    Actually I disagree. Despite what most people think, Microsoft isn't nessesarily just after money all the time. Why wouldn't MS support Linux? It's a matter of control. MS just has to have control of EVERYTHING and they refuse to let go. Release after release of windows shows that less and less of the system can be manipulated by the user/admin, and typically is purposly obscured to make sure that doesn't happen. Linux, being open as it is; goes directly against MS's phylosophy there. So in short, MS will play a game for money, but only if it's in their own yard.

  7. Re:Having worked with Linux at MS... by danshapiro · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Nothing "prevents" devs from looking at the code (except their concern about being fired). Nothing prevents them from checking the whole Linux kernel source tree into Windows (assuming "them" is a developer with checkin privs). But there is a clear company policy not to do it, which means that if it does happen, they can legitimately claim that it was a terrible accident etc. It's a CYA move. If they didn't, then they're open to claims that it was deliberate infringmenet.

    Besides which, if you know anyone who works there now, they'll happily tell you that it is indeed the policy.

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  8. Re:MIcrosoft Linux by Alien+Being · · Score: 5, Insightful

    MS just has to have control of EVERYTHING
    Because that's how they get the money.

    Why wouldn't MS support Linux? It's a matter of control.
    Flashback to 1994 and you could say the same thing about supporting the Internet. But once they realized that they couldn't stop it, they had to get in the game, cheat like bastards, and attempt to "move it to their own yard".