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Microsoft Eases "Shared Source" Restrictions
An anonymous reader writes "In an effort to help device makers differentiate their products and compete more vigorously with Linux,
Microsoft is eliminating
major restrictions on the use of its "shared source" license for the
Windows CE operating system. The change, which accompanies the impending
full release of Windows CE 5.0, will counter competition from Linux
and is likely to expand Microsoft's slice of the roughly $1B embedded OS
market pie. Specifically, the new version of the Win CE Shared Source
license will, for the first time, enable developers anywhere in the
world to include modified Windows CE code within commercial products
without having to sublicense the modifications back to Microsoft.
Interestingly, the revised Shared Source terms are reminiscent of the BSD open source license, which permits the development of proprietary derivatives that need not be shared with the community, in contrast to the GPL, which obligates developers to make their modifications available to the public."
nothing says BSD is dying like MS moving in on your turf.
It's an irony. Microsoft counters the GPL with an even less restrictive license.
:)
Free Software will rule the world, and Microsoft will play multiple parts in making that happen.
Ah but you see, Microsoft always steals other peoples' ideas, bastardises them and announces them as great new revolutionary breakthroughs to the World. The ignorant Microsoft fans will see this as True Innovation. Don't you see it? Now that Microsoft and Sun a friends, Microsoft can do what they did 20 years ago, and give it all to SCO who will rule the world in a bloody reign of terror for a thousand years. You will all have 666 imprinted upon your foreheads. The plan is nearly complete. Muhahahahahahahahahahah.
- Create bloat in disk and RAM usage
- Access NULL pointers to decrease stability
- Program major security holes into common apps like xterm
Let's level the playing field!Spread windows far and wide. Now when the next MSvirus hits it can take out all the other appliances too!
"ffs! How many time do we have to tell you, you need to run windows update on your microwave at least once a week"
Waking Up - There must be a better way to start the day.
more than 2.5 million lines of code...
Just what I always wanted in my embedded OS!
The source opens you!
This license also induces MASSIVE FORKING. You will have no way of knowing that the version of Windows you use will work the way you expect. Millions of version of Windows CE will be created, each slightly incompatible.
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Ah, imagine the fun someone could have with a network-attached WinCE microwave: // virus.c
while(true) {
if(microwave.containsPet()) {
door.close();
microwave.start(Power::High, 30);
} else sleep(5);
}
you have to develop using the methodology, not just slap an "open source" license on it
you mean, you have to submit all changes to Bill Gates who decides what goes into the CE kernel or not?
You're new here, aren't you...
"They are recting to Linux rather than leading the IT market."
Point well taken, except that Microsoft has, by-and-large, _never_ lead the IT market. Never. What they have done a good job of is buying good ideas from others, and shoving their own mediocre ideas down eveybody's throats via their marketshare and bundling contracts.
What is changing ever so slightly is that Microsoft doesn't necessarily make all the rules any more. And that is very dangerous for a company that has such an addiction to cash on one hand and, on the other, millions of stockholders who still look to them as a growth company that is going to single-handedly finance their retirement.
Dell might still be their lapdog but I bet they fear mightily a shareholder mutiny.