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Microsoft Launches Linux Labs Website

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the getting-the-message-out dept.

mjdroner writes "ZDNet is reporting that Microsoft is launching a website to 'share the activities of its internal Linux laboratories.' Microsoft says its goal is to foster communication with those who use open-source. The article also mentions that Microsoft runs a 300-server Linux installation to test open-source products." From the article: "Customers will be able to submit requests to Microsoft employees. For example, a person could ask how to best test the use of Linux desktops working with Microsoft's directory software. In addition, Port 25 will do video interviews with Microsoft employees with experience in the open-source or Unix world, Hilf said."

6 of 275 comments (clear)

  1. Its a trap! by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm serious.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
    1. Re:Its a trap! by Atzanteol · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think it's time "itsatrap" becomes a tag on slashdot...

      --
      "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"

      - Charles Darwin
  2. Documentation! by XanC · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is it possible that MS could document the protocol, then we wouldn't have this problem?

    1. Re:Documentation! by bugg · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Did you just make the argument that networking protocols are "innermost workings" of an operating system?

      They're not inner at all, they're outer: they're designed to be used with others. I do believe this is an important distinction...

      --
      -bugg
  3. Re:It's the fox in sheeps clothing by vandon · · Score: 5, Insightful
    For all of these years M$ has tried to Buy, steal or distroy anything to do with Linux, Then why do they want to be so nice to anyone dealing with Linux, Be afraid.

    It's pretty simple. They've tried killing, buying, and trashing Linux. It's not going away. So now the question is 'How can I make money off of Linux?' This is market research to find out what MS-Linux interoperability tools people may need and how to best sell them.
  4. Open Source cannot be extended by Yuioup · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ah but everyone... here's the catch...

    OPEN SOURCE CANNOT BE EXTENDED. At least not the way Microsoft wants it to be.

    Why? Because it's based on open collaboration and open standards. It's a collective which cannot be controlled. What happens if Microsoft tries to control OSS? Simple. You fork it. What happens when Microsoft tries to find a way to exclusivly make money off of OSS? Simple. You make a free (beer, speech) alternative and put all the documentation on-line. All of it.

    You see, Open Source cannot be killed. That's the beauty of the whole concept. Cut off one head and another grows... and I mean it in a good sense.