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If Microsoft Went Open Source

Posted by Zonk on from the cold-day-in-hell dept.

From an Anonymous Reader: "The BBC's Bill Thompson has written a speculative article about the possibility of Microsoft attempting to secure their place in the future of operating systems by creating an open operating system. From the article: 'They allocate a billion dollars worth of programmers to shine and polish [The new OS] for a year, improving its compatibility with Windows Server technologies, donating parts of the Windows and Office code bases under the GPL and turning it into the world's best operating system.' Could this ever happen?

14 of 347 comments (clear)

  1. Summary. by gardyloo · · Score: 4, Funny

    turning it into the world's best operating system.' Could this ever happen?

          Doubtful. Ask again later.

  2. If Microsoft went open source.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would get laid..

    never happening..

    1. Re:If Microsoft went open source.. by tloh · · Score: 4, Funny

      If Microsoft went open source..

      I would get laid..

      never happening..

      Nothing ventured nothing gained...
      ...That goes for both of you.

      --
      Stay sentient. Don't drink bad milk.
    2. Re:If Microsoft went open source.. by SleepyHappyDoc · · Score: 3, Funny

      I would get laid..

      Yeah, by Bill Gates.

      --
      Stasis is death. Embrace change.
  3. "Could this ever happen?" by LowbrowDeluxe · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well...sure! If I ever see a large order for hand-knit sweaters for damned souls I'll start expecting it.

  4. Ooooh! by dasunt · · Score: 5, Funny

    While we are wishing, I want a money tree in the back yard that sheds $100 bills.

    And world peace.

    And a pony!

    1. Re:Ooooh! by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Funny
      "While we are wishing, I want a money tree in the back yard that sheds $100 bills.

      And world peace.

      And a pony!"


      If I were posting a fantasy about being a rich guy with a pony and no law enforcement, I'd post it anonymously.
      --
      "Derp de derp."
  5. Short answer? by ruiner13 · · Score: 3, Funny
    No.

    Long answer?

    No f'n way.

    There, settled.

    --

    today is spelling optional day.

  6. shya by Wordsmith · · Score: 5, Funny

    Shya. And some dude screaming "developers" might fly out of my butt.

  7. Re:Wrong emphasis by TapeCutter · · Score: 3, Funny

    "What Microsoft should do is open up their software, and invest their money in more programmers, but not to do coding, to act as support for the rest of us who do the coding."

    I think IBM has that bussiness sewn up already.

    --
    And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
  8. Re:Wrong emphasis by Nasarius · · Score: 3, Funny
    What Microsoft should do is open up their software, and invest their money in more programmers, but not to do coding, to act as support for the rest of us who do the coding.

    Ah, so you support the "free as in slave labor" open-source model?

    --
    LOAD "SIG",8,1
  9. World's best operating system? by Fear+the+Clam · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yeah, right.

    Microsoft spends millions on a UI lab every year and the biggest innovation they can come up with is hiding Clippy.

  10. This reminds me of... by teslatug · · Score: 3, Funny

    This story reminds me of Conan's "If they mated"

  11. Re:Not a chance by Noehre · · Score: 4, Funny

    > PS: Is my user ID small enough?

    No. Never small enough!