Sam Ramji, Microsoft's Open Source Guru, Is Moving On

barking_at_airplanes writes "Some called him crazy a few years ago when he joined Microsoft to run the Open Source Software Lab, but Sam Ramji endured and made real differences to how Microsoft treats open source and how open source people view Microsoft. Ramji is now heading back to Silicon Valley to join a cloud computing startup. Sam comments in his announcement: '46 months later, I am amazed at the changes that have occurred for the company, for the team I belonged to, and the sentiments of the industry.' It's a statement which, 46 months ago, few Slashdotters would have thought could come true! With Sam leaving, can Microsoft's positive momentum into open source continue successfully? Bill Hilf says they're 'actively seeking someone to fill Sam's shoes.'"

Comments

Re:What are you smoking?

[rattaroaz]

The article claims Ramji has improved relations between Microsoft and open source people? Since when have relations between Microsoft and open source been anything but negative? We read stories on here almost every day about some new point of conflict.

In all fairness, Microsoft has been spreading misinformation the whole time Sam Ramji has been working there. Why would they stop now that he's leaving?

Re:Microsoft promises to play nice *this* time

[David Gerard]

*cough*

Re:I know!

[moon3]

Pity? RMS is a legend and OSS has its place.

Re:Really?

[someone1234]

Single patent system, so they could effectively fight Open Source (which is not centered in a single country)
http://politics.slashdot.org/story/09/09/02/2036227/Microsoft-Pushes-For-Single-Global-Patent-System?from=rss

Failed attempt to sell out a small portions of less useful patents to patent trolls
(this was most likely a tentative attempt and the next one will have a bigger impact)
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/09/08/213217/Microsoft-Letting-Patents-Move-To-Linux-Firms?from=rss

Suing TomTom because it is using the FAT filesystem
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/02/25/232212

'Releasing GPL drivers' after found violating GPL
http://news.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/07/23/1327205

'training' BestBuy employees with false facts
http://linux.slashdot.org/story/09/09/05/195219/Microsoft-Attacks-Linux-With-Retail-Training-Talking-Points

I hope you are satisfied by the citations.