TRON Enters Alliance With Microsoft

David writes "As widely reported on OSNews.com, Forbes, IDG, CNet, AustralianIT, and Ashi Shimbun - Microsoft Corp. has entered into an alliance with the T-engine Forum, the consortium behind the free software TRON operating system. As TRON runs billions of devices worldwide, this will help Microsoft's goal of cementing WinCE / .NET in places as diverse as your toaster and cell phone, perhaps in a setup similar to how X-Windows is in relation to the Linux kernel." (Continued below.)

David continues: "This arrangement is ironic, as Microsoft is part of the reason why the U.S. in the 1980s prevented Japan from putting TRON into schools on the desktop by account of trade rules, which would've meant Linux may've never gone beyond being a footnote in the comp.os.minix archives. No doubt Microsoft is aiming to keep Linux out of the embedded space, and may in the long-term foster an environment where using anything other than industry-licenced OS software on the desktop becomes unviable for everyday tasks because all the infratructurial systems we take for granted today like radio, television, phones, IM, require Palladium-style walled gardens."

Comments

such a shame

[Crashmarik]

Leopards don't change their spots
Lions don't lie with lambs
Microsoft doesn't play well with others

Its really a shame that theres always someone out there who figures theyr'e the ones that can get a fair shake out of Microsoft.

Microsoft allready moved against TRON being adopted by japanese schools. (WTO trade regs were their weapon of choice). Does anyone at the TRON project really think the vole of redmond has had a change of heart ?

The only ray of hope here, is that it will provide a great impetus to embeded linux. I can just see chinese party officials thinking their refrigerators are spying on them because they run microsoft operating systems.

Re:such a shame

[Citizen of Earth]

This is you getting into bed with Microsoft.

This is you getting fucked.

Any questions?

Re:such a shame

[Feztaa]

See how easy it is to attack an argument that overly relies on metaphor?

For every common phrase or saying, there is an equal and opposite phrase or saying.

For example:

"The early bird gets the worm" vs. "Good things come to those that wait."

Or, my personal favorite:

"Great minds think alike" vs. "No two fools differ."

Re:such a shame

[1010011010]

How about:

• The Earth makes one revolution about its axis each day.
  
• Air at normal pressure and temperature is less dense than uranium.
  
• Microsoft cannot be trusted
  

How could anyone ever arrive at the conclusion that Microsoft will not screw them?

Microsoft's intentions in this deal are transparent. They tried to crush TRON with Super301. Now they're trying to subvert it. When TRON is just a way to run .Net, why would one need TRON?

Same story, different day: "Microsoft seeks absolute control."

Re:such a shame

[Anonymous Coward]

Most people would read the original post as don't expect something to act against its nature. The original posts further refference to the Microsofts prior attack on the TRON forum establishes that prior behavior.

If there is evidence that Microsoft Cooperates well with Open Source projects, I certainly would like to see it. The last time I can recall them using OSS was when they had to be sued to put the BSD copyright on their TCP stack. If there is an examples of Microsoft enterring into mutually successfull joint ventures with other Operating system companies, I would like to see it.

On the other hand I can name examples of Microsoft playing dirty pool with its partners, and competitors alike. OS/2,Stack Electronics, Navigator, Digital Research, Taligent, Pink, are all examples of what fun it can be to participate with Microsoft.

So is there anything to with the above rant or are you just Astroturf (tm).

Re:No, they'll play fair enough.

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, but, this is basically working to put WinCE's functional layer over the top of TRON. You don't think Microsoft is going to GPL WinCE do you? Or see through TRON's goal of an open world-wide computing system which would have Microsoft on a level playing field with IBM, Sun et al? Many people will somehow program for that WinCE layer, and at some later date Microsoft may well dump having TRON running underneath for their own kernel software.

Imagine how screwed Linux would be if X-Windows, KDE, Gnome, QT & GTK were owned by a company that decided to charge 699$ per copy. You could still use *Linux*, but most of the software wouldn't work. This will probably lead to the same thing with TRON/WinCE.

Re:This is part of the .NET vs Java war

[cpeterso]

good point. The story sounds familiar:

1. Microsoft "cooperates" with an established competitor
   
2. Microsoft embraces and extends established standard (TRON OS)
   
3. Microsoft cuts ties with competitor and/or drops support for the standard
   

Since WinCE uptake has been slow for embedded devices, this plan will "cut 'em off at the pass" by inserting .NET between the low-level OS and user-level apps. .NET is the new "OS".

Re:Sorry...

[Overly Critical Guy]

No, they just want to make a friggin' tarball. Without reading through a godawful horribly formatted man page that requires scrolling through tons of never-used parameters just to create one. It's easier to ask someone who knows (and also the prevailing attitude is that someone experienced would know a better or easier shortcut way to do it).

But I guess that wouldn't let people be elitist. That sort of elitism comes from geeks with no social skills. Normal people are willing to help out.